❓Frequently Asked Questions
🤔What exactly will my child be doing in a mystery writing class?
Through guided instruction and creative writing exercises, students learn the elements of mystery writing and build their own mystery story step-by-step—plotting, drafting, revising, and even creating a potential series! They’ll read and analyze classic mysteries from master spinners for inspiration–think Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe. We’ll combine literary study with our own creative storytelling!
📝Does my child need to be an experienced writer to join this class?
Not necessarily! While some writing experience is helpful, the class is designed for high school students who enjoy storytelling, puzzles, or mysteries—regardless of whether they’ve written full stories before. We are learning how to craft a story with classic literary elements! Students of varying skill levels can grow as writers while having fun.
🌱Will my child get feedback on their writing?
Yes! Each student will receive thoughtful, personalized feedback throughout the course. Feedback focuses on both mystery-specific elements and general writing skills. The goal is to help students improve while encouraging creativity and voice.
😧Is the content age-appropriate? Will it be scary or violent?
This class focuses on the “cozy mystery” style—clever crimes and curious characters, not graphic violence or horror. Stories may include fictional crimes like missing pets, stolen treasures, or lighthearted capers with an emphasis on problem-solving. Yes, some students may choose to create a murder mystery, but think Perry Mason or Jessica Fletcher! Cozy mystery storytelling focuses on the cleverness of the 🔎sleuth rather than gory details of the crime.
Scope and Sequence
Clues, Crimes & Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure!
$579.00
Clues, Crimes, and Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure
Write the Mystery You Want to Read
Create charming small towns, quirky suspects, and twisty plots in this cozy mystery writing adventure designed for teens who love a good WhoDunIt.
Full Year 1 Credit Class
High School Level Course (Grades 9-12)
Teacher: Beth Purcell
Semester/Year: year long
Grade Level: High School (9th-12th grades)
Day and Time: Meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11:30 AM CST
Credit: One Year, 1 Credit Course
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”This is a great course! It’s fun, enjoyable, and you learn to write a murder mystery. I’m not a writer by any means, but this class was really good at guiding you along, and helping you to love writing! you also learn how to use grammar properly, but in a fun way. 10/10 would recommend for any high schoolers.” TNA Student
Clues, Crimes & Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure!
Teacher: Beth Purcell
Semester/Year: year long
Grade Level: High School (9th-12th grades)
Day and Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 11:30 AM CST
Credit: One Year, 1 Credit Course
Class Description
🎯 Who Is This Course For?
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Middle and high school students who love mysteries, writing, or classic literature
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Teens who enjoy storytelling, character creation, and plotting twists
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Aspiring writers ready to publish their own cozy mystery or series
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Students who want a fun and immersive creative writing elective
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Readers of Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, or The Mysterious Benedict Society
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Homeschoolers looking for a blend of live teaching and self-paced creativity
Don’t you just love a juicy mystery complete with clues, crimes and clever twists? Ever dreamed of crafting your own charming small-town WhoDunIt? with quirky characters, hidden clues, and a plot surprise that no one sees coming? Then Clues, Crimes & Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure is the perfect place for you!
In this course, you’ll learn how to write a captivating cozy mystery while exploring the secrets of master storytellers like Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Edgar Allan Poe, and more. Through interactive live sessions every other week and engaging self-paced lessons in between, you’ll uncover:
The Elements of a Cozy Mystery – What makes these stories so irresistible?
Plotting the Perfect Crime – Creating intriguing suspects, red herrings, and jaw-dropping twists.
Sleuths & Sidekicks – Designing lovable detectives and their unforgettable allies.
Analyzing Mystery Classics – Learn from the best by reading well-known mystery classics
Series Writing & Publishing – Crafting a marketable mystery and preparing it for publishing!
Key focus areas include:
- Developing an ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and discuss sample mysteries and complex mystery writing elements
- Analyzing various literary elements and devices
- Mastering essential writing skills
- Enhancing creative talents and expanding writing perspectives
- Crafting a personal mystery work - novel or short story series.
- Presenting ideas to others
This course is ideal for students who aspire to:
- Learn more about mystery and creative writing techniques
- Prepare for possible publication opportunities
- Explore classic mystery writers and their techniques while diving into classic mysteries
- Make connections from literary examples to personal writing skills and techniques
By the end of this course, you’ll have your own cozy mystery well underway—and the tools to publish it if you choose! Whether you're writing for fun or dreaming of seeing your book on the shelves, this course will help you bring your mystery-writing dreams to life.
Join us and get ready to sleuth, plot, and write your way to the perfect cozy mystery!
*Note: Due to the goal of this course - a completed short story series or significant work toward a completed novelette - a blended and engaging Live/Self-Paced format will allow students focused reading and writing time while providing instruction and discussion.*
Required Materials:
- The instructor provides for e-copies of texts and resources PDFs and links.
- Some reading selections that will be provided will include: Edgar Allen Poe, Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Sherlock Holmes, and others.
- Reasonable internet access for research and exploration projects
SAMR Model Application
Clue, Crimes & Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure leverages technology to enhance learning at every level of the SAMR model:
Substitution: Students use word processing software instead of pen and paper for drafting and editing essays, projects and other assignments.
Augmentation: Online research databases and academic search engines enhance students' ability to find and evaluate sources and learn about mystery writing techniques.
Modification: Online platforms allow for peer collaboration, review, and feedback for various discussions, coursework, and writing projects.
Redefinition: Students view and create multimedia presentations of their work and research, incorporating interactive elements that reach beyond traditional written reports.
Additional Program Information
Want to See How This Fits Into a Bigger Plan?
This class can stand alone — or be part of a larger pathway at True North Academy.
From Core 4 foundations to Associate and Dual Degree options, we help families build a clear, customized plan for middle and high school.
Not sure what’s right for your student?
🎯 Schedule a free advising session and let’s map it out together.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
3 reviews for Clues, Crimes & Cozy Times: A Mystery Writing Adventure!
Krista R –
My daughter is a freshman this year and has always had a dream to write her own novel, but had no prior experience with putting together a complete book. She loves murder mysteries and when I saw this course I knew she would love it. She has already grown so much in her writing, character development and understanding of the components needed to develop a novel, and it’s only the first semester. Meredith’s course is a dream come true for her, and I can not recommend it enough. It is a solid course with a strong balance between education and enjoyment, and Meredith has done a terrific job of engaging the students and motivating them to put the effort into the course. I am very impressed!
Leah Valentine –
This class was a perfect fit for my sophomore teen girl who loves to read and write! Meredith Curtis is an engaging teacher that has the right balance of encouragement and expectation to challenge the students to do their best. It is academic, but also creative. We appreciated the clear communication of assignments, due dates, expectation and feed back on work. The wholesome mystery books they read and discussed gave beneficial exposure of various styles of writing. Mrs. Curtis is a wonderful Godly role model that inspired my daughter to use her abilities to serve the Lord. She would love to take another literature or writing class with Mrs. Curtis ~ We highly recommend this course!
Lizzie D – 9th grade –
This is a great course! It’s fun, enjoyable, and you learn to write a murder mystery. I’m not a writer by any means, but this class was really good at guiding you along, and helping you to love writing! you also learn how to use grammar properly, but in a fun way. 10/10 would recommend for any high schoolers.