Detective fiction is a genre of crime fiction that revolves around the investigation of crimes, typically by a detective or amateur sleuth protagonist. These stories often involve a central mystery or puzzle that the protagonist must solve, usually a murder, theft, or other serious crime. Detective fiction is characterized by its emphasis on the process of solving the mystery, including gathering clues, interviewing suspects, and deducing the identity of the culprit. The genre can include a wide range of subgenres, from classic whodunits to hard-boiled detective stories, cozy mysteries, and police procedurals. Detective fiction has been popularized by iconic literary figures such as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Sam Spade, and continues to captivate readers with its intriguing mysteries, memorable characters, and clever plot twists.