The Impossible Theft by John F. SuterThis article is a review of how John F. Suter wrote "The Impossible Theft." It was an excellent story. The main setting is in a locked room in Donald Tapp's house. If you are interested in writing a great mystery story, you will enjoy reading this story and seeing how Suter developed it. The story begins by discussing Robert Chisholm's. The author reveals specific information about Chisholm's character. He mentions how Chisholm isn't as confident in persuading someone as he is in performing the crime. His friend, Donald Tapp, is the other main character in this story. The plot begins when Donald Tapp wonders how Robert Chisholm found out about his collection of historical documents. Robert wasn't about to reveal the person's identity. He told him that the person was a mutual friend. They enter the locked room, which is a museum in Donald Tapp's house. The author describes the room in such a way that you can visualize the room. "It was a windowless room, about 12 feet by 20, lighted only by two rows of fluorescent tubes overhead. The only door was at the end of one long wall. To the left, on entering, the wall was decorated with a large rectangular mirror in a gilded frame..." (145 - Westlake) This section was taken from the book, "Murderous Schemes," edited by Donald E. Westlake. Readers can tell what the room looks like through this description. After that, they visit about what they had been doing. Robert Chisholm continued to question him about the documents and wondered what would happen to them when he was gone. He also questioned Donald Tapp about the security system and wondered if he was satisfied with it. These are all clues that the author puts in the plot to build suspense and keep readers intrigued with the story. The main element in writing a mystery is to build suspense so that readers will want to keep reading until the last page. Writers also want to satisfy readers when they have finished reading. If readers are happy and satisfied with the ending, then writers have done a good job with plot development. Readers will recommend stories that have a well developed plot. Suspense continues to build when Robert Chisholm is left in the locked room for a few minutes to figure out how he is going to steal one of the documents and have it leave the room. The room is locked, and there isn't another way out besides the main door. The author makes it seem impossible to do, but he does have a solution. Now, you will have to read the story to find out what happens.
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