Red Herrings: Definition, Examples, and 8 Tips on Luring Readers into a Sea of Suspense

In the vast ocean of storytelling, authors often cast their lines in hopes of hooking readers with an intriguing mystery. One of the most effective lures in their tackle box is the red herring – a clever plot device designed to lead readers astray and keep them guessing until the very end.

What is a red herring?

A red herring is a false clue or misleading piece of information that diverts attention away from the true culprit or solution in a story. The term "red herring" originates from the practice of using strong-smelling, cured red herrings to train hunting dogs. The pungent fish would be dragged across a trail to distract the dogs and test their ability to follow the original scent. In literature, red herrings serve a similar purpose, distracting readers from the real path to the truth.

Red herrings are commonly used in mystery, thriller, and suspense genres, where misdirection is a key ingredient in crafting a satisfying puzzle. However, they can be effective in any story that involves a question needing to be answered or a problem to be solved.

Examples of Red Herrings in Popular Culture

To better understand how red herrings work, let's dive into some well-known examples from popular novels, movies, and TV shows.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
In this gripping novel, journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a wealthy industrialist's niece, Harriet Vanger. Throughout the story, Blomkvist's attention is drawn to the industrialist's brother, Harald, who is presented as a suspicious and unstable character with a dark past. However, Harald ultimately proves to be a red herring, as the true culprit behind Harriet's disappearance is revealed to be Martin Vanger, the industrialist's son and Harriet's brother.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
In this psychological thriller, Nick Dunne becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Amy. As evidence mounts against him and his behavior grows increasingly suspicious, readers are led to believe that Nick may be responsible. However, this proves to be a masterful red herring, as it is later revealed that Amy staged her own disappearance and framed Nick as part of an elaborate revenge plot.

The Usual Suspects
This iconic film is a masterclass in misdirection. The entire story, as told by the unreliable narrator, Verbal Kint, is one giant red herring. By the end, we realize that Kint has fabricated the mystery, leading us away from the truth that he is, in fact, the criminal mastermind Keyser Söze.

Tips on creating your own red herrings 

Now that you've seen red herrings in action, how can you incorporate them into your own stories? Here are eight tips for crafting effective red herrings:

1. Establish multiple suspects: Introduce several characters who could plausibly be responsible for the crime or mystery at hand. This creates a pool of potential red herrings to draw from.
2. Provide motive and opportunity: Give your red herring suspects clear motives and opportunities to commit the crime. This makes them more believable as potential culprits.
3. Use physical evidence: Plant false clues or evidence that seems to implicate your red herring suspects, such as misleading fingerprints or DNA.
4. Create false alibis: Have your red herring suspects provide alibis that are later proven false, casting suspicion on them.
5. Use misdirection in dialogue: Have characters share information that seems to point toward the red herring suspects, but is later revealed to be misleading or incomplete.
6. Employ unreliable narrators: Use unreliable narrators or characters who provide false information, leading readers astray.
7. Subvert character stereotypes: Play on readers' assumptions about certain character types, such as the "jealous lover" or "mysterious stranger," only to subvert these expectations later.
8. Tie up loose ends: When revealing the true culprit, ensure that all red herrings are satisfactorily explained or accounted for. This helps maintain the believability of the story and provides a sense of closure for readers.

Elevate your red herrings with ScriptRank 

Crafting effective red herrings is a delicate art. Too obvious, and readers will see right through them; too subtle, and they may miss them entirely. This is where ScriptRank can help.

ScriptRank analyzes your manuscript and provides tailored developmental feedback on your story, within 24 hours. It offers actionable insights on plot flaws, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, and thematic cohesion – all essential elements in making your misdirection effective and satisfying.

Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, ScriptRank can help you refine your storytelling skills and craft tales that keep readers guessing until the very last page.

The Art of Misdirection

In the hands of a skilled author, red herrings are a powerful tool for crafting engaging, surprising stories. By mastering the art of misdirection, you can create puzzles that challenge and delight your readers, keeping them hooked from the first page to the final reveal.

So go ahead – bait your hook, cast your line, and see what kind of story you can reel in. With a well-placed red herring or two, you might just catch your readers by surprise and leave them craving more.