Detective genre in English literature

The detective genre is a cornerstone of English literature, offering a thrilling blend of puzzle-solving, character development, and social commentary. Its evolution has been marked by distinct eras and iconic figures.   The main feature of a detective story as a genre is the presence of some mysterious incident in the work, the circumstances of which are unknown and must be clarified. The most frequently described incident is a crime, although there are detective stories in which events that are not criminal are investigated. An essential feature of a detective story is that the actual circumstances of the incident are not communicated to the reader, at least not in their entirety, until the investigation is completed. Instead, the reader is led by the author through the investigation process, receiving the opportunity at each stage to build their own versions and evaluate the known facts. The article examines the formation of the detective genre in English literature, its influence on modern detective literature, and the role of English writers in the development of the detective genre in world literature.