Search the mystery of the disappearing dicynodonts by G.M. King, South African Museum Sagittarius Vol. Whether it's a straightforward Agatha Christie, or perhaps a more esoteric Sherlock Holmes, it's often difficult to put down until we've got right to the end and found out 'who dunnit' and assured ourselves, if possible, that everyone lives happily ever after.
Scientists are in the business of solving mysteries.
Just like detectives, they have an event or set of events to explain, and a limited amount of information with which to do it. We are encouraged to separate out the likely from the unlikely candidates, watching carefully for any too obvious suggestions. Secondly, there is the setting or location of the crime, so often containing those vital clues which, if only we'd spotted them, would have enabled us to solve the crime along with Hercule Poirot on page seven. Thirdly, there is the plot. This describes the actual occurrence of the crime, and gradually unfolds to us how it was committed.