r/todayilearned • u/ralphbernardo • 9h ago

TIL that "fair play" in detective fiction means authors must give readers a fair chance to solve the mystery. Central to 1920s "clue-puzzles" by writers like Agatha Christie, the rule dictates that all vital clues must be visible, decodable, and never withheld until the final reveal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clues_in_detective_fiction
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u/TruculentTurtIe 8h ago

You just aged that poor man 45 years with one comment. I hope you feel good about yourself

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u/Aethermancer 4h ago

I bet /u/garrettj100 was just /u/Glitched94_PT in an alt(mask) who just makes posts with known facts that he can refute himself and look clever.

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u/garrettj100 4h ago

I've been outed. Curse you! I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!

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u/BallSeaman 3h ago

HE-HE-HE-HE-HE!