Action Quote by S. S. Van Dine
“A detective novel should contain no long descriptive passages, no literary dallying with side-issues, no subtly worked-out character analyses, no 'atmospheric' preoccupations. Such matters have no vital place in a record of crime and deduction. They hold up the action and introduce issues irrelevant to the main purpose, which is to state a problem, analyze it, and bring it to a successful conclusion. To be sure, there must be a sufficient descriptiveness and character delineation to give the novel verisimilitude.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Benson Murder Case, 1926
A detective story should prioritize plot and deduction over excessive description or side plots.
In simple terms: Focus on core mystery, limit fluff.
Key Takeaway
Keep narrative tight and purposeful.
Themes
mystery
efficiency
focus
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
genre
instructional
When to use this quote
- crime writing
- screenwriting
- novel drafting
Key Concepts
plot structure
narrative economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How much detail enhances versus hinders suspense?
- When can atmosphere aid deduction?
A Different Perspective
Risk of underdeveloped characters.
