History Literature / TheMysteriesOfHarrisBurdick

%%* NothingIsScarier: ''Often.'' Actually a very handy tool for introducing the concept to budding horror enthusiasts.

%%* MindScrew: Many of the images are this.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The central mystery of each illustration is what the heck kind of story would make the caption work with the art. Of course, [[TropesAreTools this is the whole point]] for aspiring writers.

* DeliberatelyMonochrome
* LiteraryAgentHypothesis: The backstory of Harris Burdick and his illustrations.
* MindScrew: Many of the images are this.

* NothingIsScarier: ''Often.'' Actually a very handy tool for introducing the concept to budding horror enthusiasts.

* TheUnsolvedMystery: The disappearance of Harris Burdick and his missing stories.

* TheUnsolvedMystery: The disappearance of Harris Burdick.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The central mystery of each illustration is what the heck kind of story would make the caption for with the caption. Of course, [[TropesAreTools this is the whole point]] for aspiring writers.

''The Mysteries of Harris Burdick'' is a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg.

An author and illustrator named Harris Burdick tells an editor that he has written fourteen stories and brings an illustration from each story with a caption, promising to deliver the full manuscript if the editor publishes his stories. Burdick, however, is never seen again. All that remains of him are the fourteen illustrations.

!!The book provides examples of

* NoEnding: All that remains of each story is a single sentence. Done with the intention that the reader will write their own story based off it.

* AdaptationExpansion - Many authors have taken it to themselves to write adaptations of the illustrations. One of the more notable examples being Creator/StephenKing, who wrote a short story based on "The House on Maple Street" for ''Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes''.
* LiteraryAgentHypothesis - The backstory of Harris Burdick and his illustrations.
* MindScrew - Many of the images are this.
* NoEnding - All that remains of each story is a single sentence. Done with the intention that the reader will write their own story based off it.

A sequel, ''The Chronicles of Harris Burdick'' was released in 2011.

* AdaptationExpansion - Many authors have taken it to themselves to write adaptations of the illustrations. One of the more notable examples being Creator/StephenKing, who wrote a short story based on "The House on Maple Street" for ''NightmaresAndDreamscapes''.

* AdaptationExpansion - Many authors have taken it to themselves to write adaptations of the illustrations. One of the more notable examples being Creator/StephenKing, who wrote a short story based on "The House on Maple Street".

[[caption-width-right:350: If there was an answer, he’d find it there.]]'''''The Mysteries of Harris Burdick''''' is a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg.

[[caption-width-right:350: If there was an answer, he’d find it there.]]'''''The Mysteries of Harris Burdick''''' is a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg.

* AdaptationExpansion - Many authors have taken it to themselves to write adaptations of the illustrations. One of the more notable examples being StephenKing, who wrote a short story based on "The House on Maple Street".