The Chopping Blog

The Maltese Falcon doesn’t just shift the tone of crime fiction—it shifts the structure.

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The novel is structured differently than a traditional mystery. Instead of a tightly wound plot with a single overarching case, it unfolds in a series of smaller unrelated mysteries, making it feel more like a collection of vignettes than a traditional whodunit.

A premise should create instant friction—between people, values, desires, timelines, or survival. This will be the lifeblood of your story.

The best subplots add layers, create obstacles, resolve internal conflicts, and enrich the main storyline. They create depth rather than merely taking up space.

"We're always looking for unique ideas showcased by stellar writing."

Every reader is a detective, searching for answers. The craft lies in making the search irresistible.

The closed-circle mystery, distinct from a locked-door puzzle, amplifies tension through containment.

When Poe published this story in 1841, the word “detective” did not exist.

"In both fiction and narrative non-fiction, I listen for the music in the words."

"They say some writers are 'gardeners' who plant story seeds and cultivate them spontaneously, and others are 'architects' who work from a tight outline. I’m now much more of the latter."

A mystery can be embedded into a novel without it being classified as a mystery. It’s a great way to heighten the tension and stakes in another genre—like a family drama.