Mystery fiction is among the biggest and most patronized genres in the literary world. Many readers become drawn to this category because of the gripping tales and wide scope of every story encompassing other genres. That said, there are already mystery books infused with elements of other literary genres, which give the rise of mystery-thriller, mystery-suspense, horror-mystery, and more. The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, The Numbered Cups Mystery, Ocean Prey, and The Silent Patient are some of the great reads under mystery fiction penned by remarkable authors.
Although many tend to remember the amazing protagonists and cases in most mystery books, there are still various readers who are more invested on the antagonists. There are definitely outstanding traits on villains that made book worms drawn in hating them, which is a great indication of how effective the characters are. That said, here are some of the popular mystery fiction antagonists that you should know.
Professor Moriarty – Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
If you are a diehard fan of the classic Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, then you probably knew Professor Moriarty. He starred in some stories in the book and was first presented to the readers as a narrative device to allow the author in killing the protagonist. Moriarty was only showcased in two of the original stories of the hit classic book even though the popular detective talks about him in five other tales.
Manipulative, callous, and different are among his traits, which — if summed up, fall under Machiavellianism. Professor Moriarty makes other do the dirty work while he sits back and hands out the evil plan to his minions. He obviously makes use of his brilliant mind and connections to execute a crime instead of staining his hands with blood. In return for his great strategies and tactics, he is given a share of what his connections gain from the crimes.
Tom Ripley – The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
The mystery-suspense novel titled The Talented Mr. Ripley has a jaw-dropping plot twist with an unexpected villain. Patricia Highsmith’s novel follows the story of Tom Ripley, who is both the protagonist and antagonist of his own tale. Hence, it is evident that the conflict in this popular book is man vs. man and the character of Tom is an anti-hero. Tom Ripley also returns in the following books of the Ripliad series, which is series of crime novels.
A young fine man named Tom Ripley encounters a lot of challenges while making a living in the Empire State. As a result, he grabbed every opportunity that comes his way to earn money regardless if it illegal or not. One day, a shipping magnate reached out to him and put him on a mission to encourage his son named Dickie to go back to America. As Tom Ripley’s life becomes entangled with Dickie’s, his true colors suddenly show. He slowly turned into an obsessive, deceptive, ambitious, and horrendous, which lead to his killing of Dickie and his manipulation on Dickie’s social circle.
Lanfranco Cassetti – Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
If you hear the phrase “Murder on the Orient Express,” the renowned novel of Agatha Christie and its film adaptation often come to mind. The popular detective Hercule Poirot also pops to your mind, after he figured out the murder and the motive. Even though Lanfranco Cassetti was the one who got killed on that train, he was remarked as the villain of the story after he abducted and a child named Daisy for ransom.
Cassetti is a gang leader who won the trial of Daisy Armstrong’s kidnapping and murder because of his wealth and technical inaccuracy of the case. But, justice prevailed in the end after a bunch of people connected to the late Daisy plot a revenge plan to end Cassetti. The plan to put justice on their own hands was initiated by Linda Arden, the grandmother of the poor kid who got abducted and killed the night before her $200,000 ransom was paid. Cassetti’s death is among the most, excuse for the term, satisfying ones knowing that already paid the consequences of for taking the life of a little girl, as well as the ransom.
Oliver’s Twist 