Vocab
What is a crime?
Committed against a person, object, or place
Define motive
Reason for committing a crime. Reasons could be revenge, jealousy, greed, fear of exposure, blackmail, etc.
Define opportunity
How/when someone would be able to commit the crime
What is the setting of The Diamond Mystery?
Pleasant Valley
Define Suspects
People found near the scene, someone without an alibi, someone who has motive
What was Vivian's motive?
House burned down and insurance didn’t pay. Needs $$
What was Vivian's opportunity?
She is the store assistant and had access to Mr. C's office
Who are the sleuths or crime solvers in this story?
Jerry and Maya
Define Alibi
An excuse or reason for being innocent
What is Danny's motive?
His father once owned the store but lost it because of financial reasons and Danny wants it back
What was Danny's opportunity?
He cleans and polishes the jewelry?
What was the exposition of The Diamond Mystery? What details did it reveal to the reader?
The exposition is the beginning. We learn that Jerry and Maya are on winter break and own a detective agency. Mr. Carat comes to them for help because someone is stealing diamonds from his store.
Define confession
A voluntary admission or a final report of how the crime was done and solved by the investigator
What is Luke Smith's motive?
Expensive taste (recently bought a new sports car)
What was Luke's opportunity?
He cuts and sets the diamonds
What is the climax on a story mountain? What was the climax of the mystery?
The climax is the most exciting part. The climax of the story is when Jerry and Maya reveal that Luke was the one stealing the diamonds.
Define Red Herring
A misleading clue, usually planted on purpose
What was the significance of Luke Smith’s apple? Use at least two pieces of evidence from the text.
Luke Smith used the apple to steal the diamonds. He would place the diamond in the apple, throw it out the window and pick it up on his jog. He would then take it to the post office. He also used the apple to prove that he was so “healthy” because he carried it with him everywhere.