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| Dark Places |
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
If you have not read the novel or seen the movie and plan to, stop reading now.
Primary and Secondary Characters:
Protagonist (Survivor)
Friend 1
Friend 2
Suspect 1/Antagonist (convicted killer), motive satanic sacrifice.
Suspect 2 Father of abused girl, motive revenge.
Suspect 3 Father of protagonist, motive greed.
Suspect 4 Cult member, motive payback for nonpayment
Suspect 5 Stranger, motive compassionate euthanasia.
Suspect 6 Girlfriend of Antagonist.
Victims 1, 2, and 3, possible 4th.
Point of View Characters:
1) Protagonist First Person
2) Antagonist (protagonist’s brother) Third Person Close Up
3) Secondary Character (protagonist’s mother) Third Person Close Up
4) Suspect 5 (hired killer) Third Person Close Up
Chapter 21: POV Protagonist. She now worries that Antagonist/Suspect 1 committed more than one crime, the murder of Suspect 6/Victim 4. Red herring introduced. She also receives a note from Suspect 3 saying he knows who the real killer is. False accuser shows up and recants her story. Eliminates Suspect 2.
Chapter 22: POV Secondary Character. Mother learns of false evidence planted by Suspect 6. Further points the finger to Antagonist/Suspect 1. Has a run in with Suspect 3 and raises the question of his motive. Places weapon 1/gun at the scene.
Chapter 23: POV Protagonist. She goes in search of Suspect 3 and finds a lead as to his location. Raises motive for one of the murders, but dismisses it.
Chapter 24: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He continues the backstory which reinforces motive for Suspect 3 and introduces motive for Suspect 4.
Chapter 25: POV Protagonist. She finds Suspect 3 who accuses Suspect 4. Reveals secret about Suspect 6.
Chapter 26: POV Secondary Character. Mother continues backstory which reveals more evidence that points to Suspect 1’s guilt. Finds false evidence #3 that makes the false accusation look true. Brings weapon #2 into the crime scene. Has a meeting with Suspect 5.
Chapter 27: POV Protagonist. She escapes from Suspect 3 and goes in search of Suspect 6. Visits Antagonist/Suspect 1 and he denies Suspect 6’s involvement and the suspect’s secret.
Chapter 28: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He suggests Suspect 4 and Suspect 6 have access to weapons identical to the murder weapons and engage in violent behavior. Finger points to all three.
Chapter 29: POV Protagonist. She finds evidence pointing the finger to Suspect 4’s guilt and possible murder of Suspect 6. Suspect 4 and Suspect 3 both had alibis, but she questions their validity. Victim 1’s death seemed different that the rest. Could there be two murders?
Chapter 30: POV Secondary Character. Mother hints that her problems will be over soon.
Chapter 31: POV Protagonist. She looks up Suspect 4 who tells them Suspect 6 isn’t dead and offers key to finding her.
Chapter 32: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He continues his narrative and puts himself and Suspect 6 at the scene and reinforces their motive.
Chapter 33: POV Protagonist finds and confronts Suspect 6 who points the finger at Suspect 3.
Chapter 34: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He continues narrative of what happened and reveals and reason for False evidence 3. Found false evidence 2 missing. Reveals Suspect 6 killed Victim 1.
Chapter 35: POV Protagonist. She realizes Suspect 6 had access to belongings from Victim 1.
Chapter 36: POV Secondary Character. Mother narrates the backstory and reveals plot to kill herself (Victim 3) using Suspect 5 who ends up killing Victim 2 and uses both weapons.
Chapter 37: POV Protagonist. She escapes Suspect 6.
Chapter 38: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He continues the narrative. They left Victim 1 and found Victims 2 & 3. They obscure the crime scene to make it look like someone else committed the murders. Suspect 6 wants to kill the Protagonist, but can’t find her.
Chapter 39: POV Protagonist. She puts the pieces together. Suspect 6 killed Victim 1 and Suspect 5 killed Victims 2 and 3. Evidence puts blame on Suspect 5.
Chapter 40: POV Suspect 5. He ruminates on what happened.
Chapter 41: POV Protagonist. She finds a key piece of evidence that convicts Suspect 6. She visits Suspect 1 in jail.
Chapter 42: POV Antagonist/Suspect 1. He ruminates on gaining his freedom.
Chapter 43: POV Protagonist. She gains closure and can now face what happened and move on.
By analyzing books chapter by chapter and movies scene by scene, you get a feel for story structure. You don't need an MFA to be a successful writer, but you should learn the basics of sound story architecture. Then you can make alterations without weakening or destroying the integrity of your stories.
Continue reading: Dissecting The Crooked House by Agatha Christie.
Dissecting Christie Part 2 of 6
Dissecting Christie Part 3 of 6
Dissecting Christie Part 4 of 6
Dissecting Christie Part 5 of 6
Dissecting Christie Part 6 of 6
For more about how to craft plots using conflict check out, Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict available in print and e-book and check out the free tools and information about the series on my website.
