Typical settings: The story is set in a house that the protagonist is renovating. It is described as being in a remote location, with ten acres of land. The house itself is rumored to be haunted or cursed, which adds to the mystery and suspense of the story.
Characters: The main character is Barry Ionsberg, who has bought the house and is renovating it himself. There is also a presence or entity in the house that is watching Barry.
Common conflicts/problems: Barry experiences a sense of unease and fear when he senses the presence in the house. This conflict between Barry and the unknown entity creates tension and suspense in the story.
Language features: The language used in the story creates a sense of suspense and mystery. Phrases such as "he woke up suddenly, heart hammering" and "darkness snuffed out everything" create a sense of fear and anticipation. The use of sensory language, such as describing the rough material of the blanket and the hard edge of the table, adds detail to the story.
Famous examples: "The House" by Barry Ionsberg is not a famous example of the mystery/crime/thriller genre as it is a made-up story for the purpose of this activity. However, famous examples of the genre include "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn, "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins, and "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. These books are known for their suspenseful plots, intricate mysteries, and thrilling twists.
Read the following mystery/crime and thriller story and complete the activity below.
You can also research the mystery/crime/thriller genre online to help you find the answers.
The House
Barry Ionsberg (2008)
The electricity was Out.
He should know. He'd ripped out the wires the previous day. It
would be a great house, though. Eventually. Just a simple matter of new
plumbing, a complete rewire. Oh, and new floors, ceiliws and walls.
No worries. He had the time and skills to do it all by himself. And when
it Was finished — well, he'd make a lot Of money. Miles from anywhere
ten acres and endless possibilities. He'd picked the place up for to
nothing. There'd been rumours about the house, some superstitious
rubbish and he reckoned that was why it was so cheap. Not that he gave
a stuff. He Was practical and had no time for daydreams.
He woke up suddenly, heart hammering. •Ihe night was moonless
and starless. Darkness snuffed out e.erything and he couldn't see the
hands on his watch. Yet he knew. He could feel A presence, something
there in the room with him, watching. The hairs on his arms stiffened
and his face beaded with cold sweat.
He reached for the torch on the bedside table. His hands brushed
against the rough material of his blanket, found the hard edge of the
table. He reached out, fingers trembling.
And the torch was placed into his hand.
Typical settings
Characters
Common conflicts/problems
Language features
Famous examples
1 answer
1 answer