Final answer:
While most detective novels traditionally include a detective character to solve the crime, which is a central convention of the genre, it is not an absolute rule. Characters assuming the detective role are crucial for advancing the narrative, whether they are professionals or amateurs. However, some modern novels can deviate from this formula, offering different perspectives on the crime genre. Option B is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether a detective must appear in a detective novel leans towards a true assertion because the core structure of the detective genre typically involves a crime that needs solving, a criminal responsible for the crime, and a detective, or someone fulfilling that role, dedicated to unraveling the mystery.
This is evidenced by the classic portrayal of the detective in literature, such as the iconic Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who personifies the ideal detective with his uncanny ability to notice and link together minute details to solve complex crimes. Without a detective to conduct this analysis and bring a sense of resolution to the crime, the narrative would lack a crucial element that defines the genre. Similarly, in real life and scientific scenarios such as astronomy or chemistry, the role of investigators is to collect and interpret evidence to solve the mysteries before them, mirroring the literary detective's process.
Notably, the specifics of what constitutes a 'detective' can be broad. In some novels, the detective might be a professional police detective, a private investigator, or an amateur sleuth with a knack for observation and deduction. The crucial aspect is that there is a character who takes on the investigative role. So while the detective as a character can come with various backgrounds or professions, their presence within the novel serves as a central pivot around which the narrative turns.
However, it's important to recognize that literature is ever-evolving, and some contemporary crime novels may subvert traditional genre expectations by either marginalizing the role of a detective character or removing them entirely to explore crime from different perspectives. Therefore, while traditional and many modern crime novels do indeed feature a detective, it is not an absolute rule but a commonly upheld convention within the genre.