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Old Dark House: Difference between revisions
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Expect many [[Secret Path|passageways hidden]] [[Bookcase Passage|behind bookcases]], usually operated [[Shaggy Search Technique|by candlesticks]], [[Portrait Painting Peephole|portraits with removable eyes for spying]], and the ubiquitous [[Dramatic Thunder|thunder and lightning]]. Almost inevitably all methods of communication with the [[Closed Circle|outside world]] -- especially telephones -- will have somehow ceased to function, if they ever existed at all. This was more plausible in the early 20th century, a.k.a. [[Genteel Interbellum Setting|Agatha Christie Time]], when many old dwellings had not yet been fitted with telephones and service in general was commonly more apt to fail. You can also expect the lights to go out several times during the night. (Usually when it's least convenient.)
May or may not be [[Haunted House|haunted]] or have some curse or be hiding a [[Dark Secret]]. If the mystery is set in Europe, this may be a [[Haunted Castle|castle]] instead of a [[Big Fancy House|mansion]]. See also [[Haunted House]], [[Haunted Castle]] which usually ''are'' haunted. In this trope, while a haunting may be real, it is more likely that the mysterious poltergeist is an [[Scooby
Please keep in mind that ''not'' any old house with poor lighting will do for this trope. This is a classic trope of, and a great set piece for, [[Mystery Fiction|whodunnit murder mysteries]].
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[[Category:Mystery Tropes]]
[[Category:Old Dark House]]
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