IMPLICATURE AND EPISTEMIC CONTROL IN THE DISCOURSE OF DETECTIVE FICTION

This article investigates the role of implicature and epistemic control in detective fiction discourse. The study shows that detective narratives rely heavily on indirect meaning, inference, and controlled distribution of knowledge. Implicature functions as a mechanism for hiding and revealing information, while epistemic control regulates the hierarchy of knowledge among characters and readers. The detective is presented as a cognitive authority who manipulates implicit meaning to guide interpretation. The research demonstrates that detective fiction is structured through pragmatic strategies that transform reading into an active interpretative