The ONE Clue Your Mystery MUST Have

[@codyeasonBGR]

Watching this whole channel tomorrow

[@janekalmes]

Awesome!

[@cookie_monster278]

A verbal clue I loved was two simple words " Die. Stop." The case starts when a mother and father return home they hear screaming. They find one of their sons sitting atop the other screaming " Die Stop!" Repeatedly as he continued to beat his brothers corpse. Now the son who was yelling and is thought to be the killer has Autism and therefore trouble with communication. The sleuth investigates and finds that the dead son had unalived himself. His brother tore him down from the ceiling and began to scream "Die stop!" Because he had seen his brother trying to do this before and knew he was trying to unalive himself so this screaming proves that he couldn't have killed him. Because he wanted his brothers attempted unalivement to stop. It was a sad case but the eureka moment was amazing.

[@janekalmes]

How tragic! What story was that in?

[@cookie_monster278]

@@janekalmes I believe "extraordinary attorney Woo" is the show name and the episode name I believe is " This is Pengsoo" also I could have got some of the details wrong it's been a while since I have watched it.

[@rainbowsomeone]

Haha the parrot as a witness thing might be more common than u think! There’s definitely at least one Ace Attorney case that features a parrot

[@janekalmes]

Somehow that doesn’t shock me!

[@hsmacaraig]

There’s even one with an orca!!! ^^

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

There is a brilliant use of a "damning clue" in Poirot's FIVE LITTLE PIGS, which seems to prove someone's guilt when it in fact proves their innocence and points like a huge neon sign directly at the real killer. In one episode of COLUMBO the damning witness statement was when the killer identifies the only person who could have seen him leave the scene of the crime as blind--except the man present is not blind, but is the blind man's brother. The killer is the witness against himself.

[@theamazinga.o1784]

Underrated KZbinr your literally the best writing channel never stop waht your doing ❤

[@janekalmes]

❤️❤️ Thank you so much! ❤️❤️

[@GomeHoldings]

Thank you, be blessed.

[@Paul12345671]

This video was very helpful for my Vampire game, thanks.

[@kanityreactions]

Your videos are incredibly helpful, binged a lot of them now, thank you! I am writing a visual novel with a murder mystery, but even though it's not a *book* it's still a story and you have a lot of great tips!! Thank you!!!

[@janekalmes]

I'm so glad they're helping!

[@SloanePaoPow]

Not you referencing Remington Steele! Im even more excited now to have found and subscribed to your channel!

[@janekalmes]

I love Remington Steele. :-)

[@jackofminds8338]

You should check out the Ace Attorney series. I think you'll really like it.

[@MagnificentSails]

❤ Remington Steele. Have you seen Miss Scarlet and the Duke yet?

[@janekalmes]

I haven’t yet! Looking it up now…

[@MagnificentSails]

​@@janekalmes the Duke is 😍 lol

[@janekalmes]

@@MagnificentSails I’m in favor of that!

[@julialednicky7542]

Super helpful! Once again crushed it!!👊

[@rainbowsomeone]

Amazing analysis as usual!

[@janekalmes]

Thanks so much!

[@danieldykes1743]

It's been a full quarter since this last video. Do we need to solve the mystery of Why Jane Stopped Posting? Love you vids! Very helpful!

[@janekalmes]

Sorry I’ve been gone, Daniel! I do have stuff in the works; don’t count me out just yet!

[@jeremyroberts9065]

Loved this video, Jane! 😊 So interesting as usual! 😊 My damning clue actually occurs with the sleuth unprepared and completely blindsided. 😁 I wonder if that's all that common?

[@janekalmes]

Hmm, I’m not sure. I think it definitely happens sometimes!

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

Excellent explanation and examples, Jane. Thanks! (This is Priscilla, by the way. I finally figured out how to leave KZbin comments under my pen name.)

[@janekalmes]

Awesome, thanks, Priscilla!

[@codyeasonBGR]

Thanks for this

[@jamesbevan9939]

Jane, how do you feel about the "eureka moment" in mysteries, where the detective solves the case based on an event or comment that's not relevant to the case but lets them recontextualize the evidence?

[@janekalmes]

Ok, here are my thoughts: I don’t love a eureka moment quite as much as a Damning Clue, but it’s still an important tool to have in the toolbox. In some ways, they operate the same: after acquiring (and understanding) the DC, the Sleuth is generally able to synthesize a number of smaller clues, so they can present a clear wrap-up of the case that explains all the who’s, how’s, and why’s of the murder. A eureka allows that same synthesis to happen, just without the DC. I think the major difference for eurekas is that they may represent “story proof”-proof that convinces the Sleuth and the reader, but not “legal proof”-proof that would be necessary to convince a court. So, often, after the eureka, and the resulting synthesis of smaller clues, the Sleuth is left with some extra work to do-finding the DC, or bluffing the Villain into a confession, something of that nature. Not necessarily a bad thing; I’ve seen some great scenes like that.

[@amandabarrows6066]

AMAZING video! I always struggle with the damning clue so this is very helpful. And Murdoch Mysteries rocks!! 😊

[@janekalmes]

Thank you so much, Amanda! This one was a lot of work and I’m really happy it’s helping you!

[@54joltz47]

I dont know if you have seen it but I recommend the movie "The Pale blue eye" no spoilers just know its really good

[@54joltz47]

it shows how to make a good plot twist

[@janekalmes]

Cool, thanks so much!

[@Jerseystrong007]

Does anyone have Tiktok recommendations on similar topics? Tysm ☠️😎 📚

[@lukacunningham342]

In my book, the murderer fakes an alibi of just coming to the house during the murder, but they accidentally trip and fall in a nearby mudpile, with other people on the way, he run back into the woods, runs back to the house with people seeing and pretending to trip and fall into the mudpile, explaining the stain so people would believe them, nothing more damning than that, eh Professor Kalmes?

[@janekalmes]

Hmm… I’m not sure I understand. He pretends to fall, thus obscuring the damning stains on his clothing? So this is a damning clue that he’s covering up?

[@lukacunningham342]

@@janekalmes Yes, I got it from a book where a man drowns the victim in a pool and leaves soaking wet, he then dives back in to “help” to explain why he’s so wet

[@KimtheElder]

Another good one 👍👍😊

[@janekalmes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@37_vanshiDLakhani]

This comment is a request. Unrelated to your video. I have been watching your videos and am in awe on how many useful tips you provide on your channel. Not being a published author, I strive to publish my debut fantasy series as soon as I can. But this comment is to ask for your recommendations on certain plots for fantasy, magic school trope (for writing, as I'm working on my debut series) I have build a magic world and it's a coming of age, young adult fantasy series and I would honestly love your opinions and suggestions. So basically, I feel stuck in my story despite working on it for 3 years and since you have read many stories, your suggestion would be of high value to me. It's a magic school story, with learning magic to saving it, to possessing more magic than others, there's politics, there's a social evil character trying to win over the world. I need some plot points. Some suggestions. Well, take it this way. You have read many books, seen them in the publishing rounds and you have your favourite themes. Well I'm interested in adding those themes in my novels. As many themes as you like, all are appreciated. If in the future, I do end up using those themes or anything that you wish to see in novels, I will mention your name in the acknowledgements of my book. - to be author of HEDS Series (hope soon, so you can see your name in the acknowledgements, do contact me if you find your name and want to give even more suggestions or talk to me regarding my novels)

[@janekalmes]

I can see the passion you have for this project, and I wish you all the best with it! I'm afraid your question is a bit wide in scope--I'm not even sure where to start helping!

[@Salsa_Shark]

Good Lord, how much of “Knives Out” was not borrowed?