Writing

Mystery Novels

I love mystery novels! They are like my drug of choice. My sister (bless her heart) loves magazines like People and Entertainment Weekly and I make fun of her...but I shouldn't...because I feel the same way about Mystery Novels. I can't go grocery shopping without picking one out at the book section. My husband keeps reminding me that I can just check them out from the library. I do this as well... but like I said... a drug.

I love trying to figure out who did it before the end. One of the ways that I judge the book is based on how far into the book I can get before I figure it out (if I figure it out at all). Also, I have a horrible memory when it comes to remembering who did what... which is great for the re-read value. When I re-read a book, it is like the first time (almost). (Of course, even in my own stuff that I write, sometimes I can't remember who did what and end up asking my actors in rehearsals what is going on... then, when I see how clever it is...I think...oh, good I'm glad I covered that...except for when I don't and then we have to fix it.)

Reading these novels have helped me on a personal level and professional level. Professionally, I have noticed that authors tend to switch back and forth between 1st person anonymous and 1st person identified and that the murderer has chapters where his or her doings switch between the two. Both Lisa Gardner, Lisa Jackson and Mary Higgins Clark do that. It is like you get to see inside the mind of the killer as they plot and plan and execute. I am trying to figure out the best way to incorporate this concept into my own stuff...but I haven't figured it out yet.

Personally, I find reading about murder relaxing. Yes, I know it sounds horribly demented, but it is the fact that 99% of novels are resolved at the end with the bad guy getting his punishment. I wish life was more like that...where things all worked out for the best in the end, especially when things go horribly wrong.

Another great mystery book is called, "The 13th Hour" written by Richard Doetsch because the premise is slightly fantastical as the main character is given an opportunity to go back in time and relive each hour to solve the murder of his wife. I am always intrigued by "twists" that make me think.

Anyway, I must go and draw a bath and pull out my favorite Mystery of all time. It was the first I remember reading and it hooked me. It is "The Westing Game," by Ellen Raskin. It is "kid" friendly but intriguing and fun. Time to unwind...