Fact #1: A red herring really is a fish. It is a very smelly fish – part of the reason it is associated with mystery clues.

Fact #2: Red herrings are red because the fish is smoked, turning it the red color.

Fact 3: Early American settlers would use red herrings when hunting to confuse the wolves. Leaving a ‘false trail’.

Fact 4: When leaving a red herring in a murder mystery novel, it will point to a false suspect of the murder. It should be be glaring(smelly fish).

Fact 5: It is very difficult to place a red herring in a chapter that is already plotted out…. ugh!