| rdfs:comment | - It was a cold, dark night, and a roaring fire was merrily crackling to itself in the grate as I turned to my friend, the brilliant Algernon Seeker, in our rooms at 132 Poirot Street, and asked "Seeker, why do you suppose it is that people read detective stories?" Seeker looked at me with those piercing, brilliant eyes and leaned back into his chair, inhaling thoughtfully on his pipe. It was a moment before he replied: "I would have thought you would know already, my dear Foyle, given your eagerness to chronicle those curious little mysteries that come our way from time to time."
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| abstract | - It was a cold, dark night, and a roaring fire was merrily crackling to itself in the grate as I turned to my friend, the brilliant Algernon Seeker, in our rooms at 132 Poirot Street, and asked "Seeker, why do you suppose it is that people read detective stories?" Seeker looked at me with those piercing, brilliant eyes and leaned back into his chair, inhaling thoughtfully on his pipe. It was a moment before he replied: "I would have thought you would know already, my dear Foyle, given your eagerness to chronicle those curious little mysteries that come our way from time to time." "Well, yes, of course, I know people buy them. But why read them?" "Because we're fascinated by them, Foyle. They're complex mysteries that make the reader work, think about what's happening rather than just let it wash over them. The characters are equally complicated and interesting, and certainly in my case -- if I do say so myself -- rather brilliant. They let the reader go into all parts of society and all walks of life, from the supposedly law-abiding domains of the rich to the squalid dens of sin that our poorer brothers and sisters reside in, all in pursuit of that elusive thing called truth." Seeker narrowed his eyes; it was a sign that he was getting to grips with a mystery that interested him. "Well, of course, they need to follow those basic rules that apply to all stories, but beyond that, there are certain elements that reoccur throughout the genre that give it strength and life. Shall I elaborate?" I readied my pen, certain as ever that Seeker's thoughts would be well worth preserving. "Please do," I replied.
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