Act 1 Setup

Characters and conflicts introduce the victim and suspects in a tense environment. Tension builds before the first corpse appears, launching the investigation.[johnpmurphy]

First Corpse

The primary victim’s body is discovered, shifting focus to detectives questioning suspects reactively. Witnesses withhold key details, stalling progress.[johnpmurphy]

Second Corpse

A suspect or key witness turns up dead, highlighting the detective’s failure and intensifying urgency. This forces a reevaluation of clues.[johnpmurphy]

Acts 3-4 Climax and Resolution

Insight drives the detective toward identifying the killer, leading to a reveal confrontation—often a thwarted third murder. Loose ends tie up with explanations and character arcs.[johnpmurphy]