A mystery novel can keep people glued to their seats as they turn pages for hours or days. The basis of a mystery novel revolves around the unknown. A mystery novel usually has a crime element and mystery that has a logical solution at the end. For the reader, the more difficult it is to guess or figure out the ending, then the more satisfying it is to read the book. A mystery novel is usually full of clues that will lead the reader to the solution at the end of the book and a book gets more interesting if it has many clues. A mystery novel reader will not cease reading if there is a complex relationship between the elements as well. There are differences in the kind of audience for a mystery novel ranging from children to adults. Among the reasons that lead one to read a mystery novel is entertainment and a sense of escape.

Someone may buy a mystery novel from a library or from people who read them, and then return them after some time. Others would rather get a mystery novel from a bookstore, and they can keep the book after reading it to either exchange with another reader or re-read at some future point. The internet provides access to the mystery novel at large book superstores or at used bookstores that specialize in the mystery novel.

Writing a mystery novel is not very difficult as long as one knows the basics. Writing a really good mystery novel, though, take considerable writing skill and practice. Being able to keep the correct pace and timing is very important for a mystery novel writer. Agatha Christie is still considered today to be one of the finest mystery novel writers - the words she used and the pace of the story were central to her success as a writer of this genre.

If the writer of the mystery novel gives too many twists and clues, then the pleasure of not being able to figure out the ending or the "whodunit" is ruined. On the other hand, if the mystery novel writer gives his readers too few clues after a long time they will simply lose interest in the book and toss it aside. Some mystery novel writers choose to do the writing in third person as it is seen to present the clues more clearly. In addition, variety is lent to the story because of the third person viewpoint. Others choose the first person viewpoint, which they think, is more compelling because it takes the reader into the main character's mind. The choice of the viewpoint to use will ultimately be made by the writer according to how the writer is most comfortable writing.

To be a good writer of a mystery novel, one should read as many mystery novels as possible written by other successful mystery novel authors. Any new writer of the mystery novel should invest some time researching and learning about police work, poisons and weapons. It is also advisable for the writer to brainstorm ideas and characters before they write and outline the mystery novel in the early stages. Writing a mystery novel can best be done in a quiet place away from daily activities and noise. The writer should also set and keep to a schedule if they want to finish their mystery novel within a reasonable period of time.