Book Anatomy · Trail

Trail: The hidden heir and chosen orphan

Thesis. A young lead with lost parents learns they are part of a bigger story. The reveal gives the plot a personal stake.

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: An orphan learns he is famous in a world he did not know existed.
2. The Da Vinci Code: The heroine, raised by her grandfather, learns who her family really are.
3. Treasure Island: A boy who loses his father finds a new and dangerous set of guides.

Other trails: The ticking clock · The puzzle as plot engine · The outsider sleuth · Many voices, one case