a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie

a novel of deception and detection

a story where clues are given, slowly at first, with a few red herrings along the way, with a conclusion that seals the deal in a logical manner and (sometimes) leaves an open end or two for extra spice

a story where one or more false stories cover a true story, which must be discovered as part of the narrative

a type of story, and the setting can vary

a narrative in which the chief element is usually a crime around which the plot is built.