This article is devoted to the study of detective literature as one of the most distinctive and influential literary genres. It examines the origins and historical development of the detective genre, exploring the social and literary conditions that contributed to its emergence in the nineteenth century. The paper analyzes the formation of key genre conventions, including the role of the central protagonist, the structure of the investigation, the presence of a mysterious crime, and the gradual revelation of truth. Special attention is given to the evolution of detective fiction from its early classical forms to its modern transformations. Through historical and literary analysis, the article highlights how detective literature reflects societal concerns, moral questions, and the human pursuit of justice and truth.