A Dramatic Opening | The Marlow Murder Club

Examine how the elements of a dramatic opening set up a mystery story, in this excerpt from The Marlow Murder Club | MASTERPIECE. In this film, set in a peaceful riverside town, retired archaeologist Judith Potts hears the gunshot that kills her neighbor. When the police appear slow to act, Judith enlists the help of two other women, a dog walker and the vicar’s wife, to help her solve the murder. Mystery as a genre requires a strong hook in the opening scene to pique a viewer’s or reader’s interest in trying to solve the crime. In this excerpt, the literary elements of character and setting, as well as film techniques, help create tension and set up the central conflict.