They often had a predilection for certain casts of characters and settings , with the secluded English country house at the top of the list .
Several authors excelled , after successfully misleading their readers , in revealing an unlikely suspect as the real villain of the story .
authors often had a predilection for certain casts of characters and settings , with the secluded English country house at the top of the list .
Several authors excelled , after successfully misleading their readers , in revealing an unlikely suspect as the real villain of the story .