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The Mystery Novel
So you want to write a mystery novel, but where in the day do you find the time. The kids, the pets, the chores, the cleaning, the phone, the doorbell: when can you find time to even think about writing? Join Christine from To The Letter in making the time, just for you. Imagine at least 40 uninterrupted hours of writing.
Mystery Genres include but are not limited to:
Cozy Mysteries
Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Diane Mott Davidson and the popular board game Clue all fall into this genre. These mysteries usually involve a small, closed group on a small closed stage of a country farm, train, ship or castle that are solved by a distinctive 'detective' like personality. The story is bloodless, and clues are found by listening to gossip, keen observations and an uncanny understanding of human nature.Romantic Mystery
Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Stewart, E.J. Holt, and J.D. Robb are popular authors in this genre. They create a version of one of the other mysteries and use romance as conflict and a solution to solve a crime. Where the plot of the book is created around a crime, the motion of the story is in the relationship between two people. The climax includes not only the solving a crime, but works through to help each member of the romance become more in touch with themselves, and with their relationship; Strengthening what they have and allowing greater conflict to become less of a challenge to their commitment to each other.Police Procedural
Eve Dallas, CSI, Lethal Weapon, Cyrus Auburn, and John Raven Beau define this genre. These are law enforcement novels that pay discreet attention to the process of solving the crime. The interview process, the crime scene, the questioning, the tracking of alibis, and finally the confession. Generally they do not carry over to the court scenes or follow the life of the suspect after their arrest. The entire novel is focused on the procedures and systems for finding the suspect who committed a crime.Private Eye Fiction
The original private eye mysteries that inspired our love of black and white movies starring Lauren Becall and Humphrey Bogart. Mickey Spilane, Kinsey Millhone, and V.I. Warshawski are some of the classics and leaders of modern private eye fiction. This genre represents the reality of everyday life in America. The pictures painted capture the essence, thoughts, and moral fiber of the society and time they are writing about.
Young Adult Mystery (ages 11-15)
Young Adult readers are at the age that bridges childhood with adulthood. Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Geraldine McCaughrean and Paul Ruditis are part of this group. This group of readers read stories about what they dream about; things that if they controlled the world they would do. A young adult mystery has a main character about the same age as the reader, who saves their own little corner of the world by solving mysteries that appear in their immediate world. Usually centered in a school, church or social activity, the mystery threatens something that they would take very seriously. There is usually minimal to no violence and no graphic scenes.
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