11
Pro tip: Reading the ending first changed how I judge mysteries
I used to get mad at book club debates about whodunit plots because I'd miss clues. Then my buddy in Denver told me to flip to the last chapter first, then go back and read the whole thing. I tried it with Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' last month and caught all the setup I'd normally gloss over. Now I actually notice the breadcrumbs the author left instead of just guessing. Has anyone else tried this backwards approach for thrillers or does it ruin the fun for you?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
the_faith1mo agoMost Upvoted
So you read the ending first, but did you find you were still surprised by HOW the killer did it, or did knowing the who just make the journey feel totally different? I'm trying to picture it with a book like Gone Girl.
5
rowanharris1mo ago
Totally get what you're saying. Knowing the who in a thriller like that just shifts the whole focus. You stop looking for the twist and start seeing all the little tricks the author planted, which is its own kind of fun. It's like watching a magic trick again when you already know how it's done, you appreciate the skill more. Gone Girl would be wild to read that way, you'd just be glued to every lie Amy told.
9