S is for Setting–A to Z Blogging Challenge 2022

My topic for this year’s A to Z Blogging Challenge is

Elements of Crime Fiction

My topic for today is

SETTING

The setting or background of a detective story is a very important component. It determines the kind of people the victim and perpetrator will be. The setting will also determine the weapon used and the type of investigation.

My favourite setting is the English countryside. This provides for weekend parties in grand houses complete with several guests, staff etc. The murder weapon and investigation are all old fashioned . The Golden Age authors used this setting frequently, primarily Agatha Christie. Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Georgette Heyer and M.M.Kaye all wrote books set in a similar milieu.

Settings for crime fiction can vary greatly, from Ancient Egypt to futuristic outer space. The way the story plays out being limited only by the writer’s imagination.