The evolution of detective novel from Arthur Conan Doyle to Gillian Flynn

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of the detective novel from the classical tradition established by Arthur Conan Doyle to the contemporary psychological crime narratives of Gillian Flynn. It traces the transformation of the genre across key phases, including the logic-driven investigative model of the nineteenth century, the puzzle-oriented structure of the Golden Age, the gritty realism of hardboiled and noir fiction, and the emergence of postmodern psychological thrillers. The study highlights how early detective fiction emphasized rationality, order, and objective truth, whereas modern narratives increasingly explore subjectivity, unreliable narration, and moral ambiguity. By conducting a comparative analysis of narrative techniques, character construction, and thematic concerns, the paper demonstrates how shifting social, cultural, and intellectual contexts have reshaped the detective figure and the nature of crime fiction. Ultimately, the research argues that contemporary detective novels reflect deeper psychological and societal complexities.