Mystery Fiction and the Technical Communicator: Emotion Separates Fiction from Fact
http://www.stc.org/ConfProceed/1999/PDFs/STC-8.pdf

Jennings, Ann S.
STC Proceedings
1999

Abstract:

Although technical documents and mysteries share certain characteristics, emotion separates the two types of writing. Mystery fiction may be popular among technical communicators because it engages both the analytical and the emotive parts of the readers' personality. This panel presentation describes techniques that mystery authors use to trigger readers' emotions. An awareness of these techniques can help technical communicators understand their affection for mysteries and stay clear about the purpose of their own work.