What is a Mystery?

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The Cozy Mystery is full of clues and had an intriguing plot, but it's short on action. It is an intellectual mind game between the criminal and the detective. They are the English Country House Mysteries of the 1920's and 30's.

The classical cozy involves a closed group of people such as guests at an inn trapped together by a raging storm. All of the suspects have motive and opportunity. It's up to the investigator and the reader to pinpoint the culprit.

It is a clean book with little or no foul language or violence. The death or murder takes place off stage. The murder weapon is often a blunt instrument such as a candlestick, knitting needles, paperweight, or fire poker, and the sleuth is usually an amateur. And we can't forget the cat. Almost all cozies have at least one cat lurking around.

Arson and Old Lace by Patricia Harwin is a great example of a Modern Day Cozy.

The Amateur Sleuth novels are similar to cozies but are usually a little more violent. The murder is solved by someone close to the victim. Although they don't have the necessary skills, they are determined to find the culprit. They are usually stand alones and once the crime is solved, the protagonist goes back to their normal life.

My Mother's Shoes is a great example of an Amature Sleuth Mystery.

The sleuth in a Professional Sleuth is an amateur detective, but a professional in something else. They may be a judge, medical examiner, jockey, sculptor...the list is endless. The setting is within the sleuth's professional circle and usually involves people they know. It is the Professional "amateur" sleuth that restores order to the cloistered world they live in. They are often turned into a series. The number of times the Professional-amateur stumbles across a body doesn't seem to be an issue.

Bloodlines: An Irene Kelly Novel by Jan Burke is an excellent example of a Professional Sleuth Novel.

Police Procedurals have been around forever. They focus on the work of a team of police officers, and are usually investigating several cases at once. The technical aspects of the investigation is a big part of it. To write a Police Procedural, an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of a police station is essential.

Heat Lightning by John Sanford is an excellent example of a Police Procedural.

Legal/Medical Mysteries are just what the name implies. The protagonist is either a doctor or a lawyer. If the suspense is intense, they may be classified as suspense novels as well. They are immensely popular and are often on the best sellers list.

The Keepsake: A Novel by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent example of a Legal/Medical Mystery.

In a Suspense/Thriller the tables are turned. The sleuth is being pursued by the villain. The reader usually knows who the villain is if not right from the beginning, shortly there after. They are intense and the violence is graphically portrayed. Some thrillers are so intense that you may have trouble sleeping and get up a dozen times to recheck your doors. The villains are often fodder for nightmares.

As The Twig Is Bent by Joe Perrone, Jr. is an excellent example of a Thriller/Suspense Novel.

Romantic Suspense Novels are extremely popular. It is the mystery/suspense that forces the couple to work together to solve the problem. Love blooms and together they bring down the villain. The ending is a given. Justice always prevails and love conquers all.

Black Hills by Nora Roberts is an excellent example of a Romantic Suspense.

The Private Eye Mysteries are an American classic. The protagonist is often an old grizzly PI with a strong code of honor. Unfortunately that code doesn't always mesh with the law. While the story line is important, much of the story hinges on the character. The readers get to know the PI well.

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton is an excellent example of a Private Eye Mystery.

Noir Mysteries are from the other side of the fence. The villains are supernatural beings with powers so great that you wonder how the protagonist will ever manage it. They are bleak, dark and gritty. The good guy prevails---sort of.

White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows, Book 7) by Kim Harrison is an excellent example of a Noir Mystery.

The Caper is a comic crime story. The protagonist is a lovable bungler that manages to get the job done in spite of his shortcomings. The ones that are written are very popular. Unfortunately few are written. Janet Evanovich leads the pack with her extremely popular Stephanie Plum Series.

I hope this lens clears up the mystery in mysteries. As with most fiction these days, genres are overlapping, mixing, merging, and diverging. This is how I see mysteries today but how they will look tomorrow is a mystery.

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