How do the Writers Create Suspense in the Sort Stories

... rchist and 'bottled cholera' could decimate London seems to mean nothing. This is frustrating to the reader and therefore creates suspense. The reader wants to turn over to the next page and wants to find out what is going to happen, not hear the cabmen's' comments on how one of the drivers is'a-clawin' out of the keb.' The same is done in 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', but here it is slightly more sophisticated. At the same time as delaying the action we are given snippets of the information we need to solve the mystery. But Holmes refuses to tell us his suspicions before he has more proof. He and Watson sit there in 'the gathering darkness'; this adds an element of suspense and danger to the wait. Then they see their signal and leave; there is a 'chill wind', which makes things seem sinister. Next they see what is described as 'a hideous and distorted child.' This startles the reader, but is the action scene we are waiting for. It alleviates some of the suspense already created, but then even more suspense is made by the telling us that there are more dangerous animals lurking round the grounds, which could spring on Holmes and Watson at any moment. Once they are both in the room Holmes tells Watson not to go to sleep and that his 'very life may ...