Over time there have been many different trends in mystery writings. The latest crime novels follow one or more of these trends. Mystery novelists have evolved since the first book was written centuries ago. The cozy read by the fire is no longer the popular seller that it once was. The audience wants and deserves more than a cozy read can be expected to deliver.
The line between a novel and a text book has become thinner because the readers of today have much more information at their disposal and they expect their favorite authors to have and use this same knowledge in their books. The trick being to use the technical information without making one feel like they are back in a college lecture. One goal of every author is to enthrall and involve every reader in the story line without putting them to sleep.
Readers today expect to be able to relate to the hero on a very personal level. If he is a tough character they want to know that his behavior is justified and if he is clever they want to be able to follow his thinking to the ultimate last page. They want to feel like they are a part of his inner circle and perhaps could do what he does.
The mystery writer today must develop a personal life for the people who populate their book. Today's readers like to know what made the killer the way he or she is and they want to know that the hero has family and relationship struggles just like everyone else. Many of the novelists of today create super rich profiles for the leading character and some are consultants for the police department working the case.
Another trend that is developing is the international high-concept thriller with mass deaths, presidential plots and billionaires creating havoc. These books have various story lines involving assorted characters and their lives that eventually come together at or near the climax of the story. These stories are high in intrigue and tension building suspense. A problem with this type of book is that it is sometimes a one hit wonder and very difficult to do a following best seller for the author.
A popular means to success that has developed over decades for some novelists is the continuing story of one character. Some writers are so adept at this line of writing that they have developed a character following that nearly guarantees a best seller with each new segment they write. You can see this with the Alex Cross series produced by James Patterson and in the Scarpetta series written by Patricia Cornwell.
Mystery writers must maintain a very cutting edge attitude to sustain their reader's interest and keep them turning the pages. Some pay attention to what is happening in the news for the story line they will follow. Others may look to television shows that are successful to direct their lines of thought and create the plot they want.
The trends that the mystery novels are following are as varied as they have always been. The difference is that they are more technically correct and the characters have more to them than previously required. They have lives and the reader is more involved with their day to day lives than ever before possible.
The line between a novel and a text book has become thinner because the readers of today have much more information at their disposal and they expect their favorite authors to have and use this same knowledge in their books. The trick being to use the technical information without making one feel like they are back in a college lecture. One goal of every author is to enthrall and involve every reader in the story line without putting them to sleep.
Readers today expect to be able to relate to the hero on a very personal level. If he is a tough character they want to know that his behavior is justified and if he is clever they want to be able to follow his thinking to the ultimate last page. They want to feel like they are a part of his inner circle and perhaps could do what he does.
The mystery writer today must develop a personal life for the people who populate their book. Today's readers like to know what made the killer the way he or she is and they want to know that the hero has family and relationship struggles just like everyone else. Many of the novelists of today create super rich profiles for the leading character and some are consultants for the police department working the case.
Another trend that is developing is the international high-concept thriller with mass deaths, presidential plots and billionaires creating havoc. These books have various story lines involving assorted characters and their lives that eventually come together at or near the climax of the story. These stories are high in intrigue and tension building suspense. A problem with this type of book is that it is sometimes a one hit wonder and very difficult to do a following best seller for the author.
A popular means to success that has developed over decades for some novelists is the continuing story of one character. Some writers are so adept at this line of writing that they have developed a character following that nearly guarantees a best seller with each new segment they write. You can see this with the Alex Cross series produced by James Patterson and in the Scarpetta series written by Patricia Cornwell.
Mystery writers must maintain a very cutting edge attitude to sustain their reader's interest and keep them turning the pages. Some pay attention to what is happening in the news for the story line they will follow. Others may look to television shows that are successful to direct their lines of thought and create the plot they want.
The trends that the mystery novels are following are as varied as they have always been. The difference is that they are more technically correct and the characters have more to them than previously required. They have lives and the reader is more involved with their day to day lives than ever before possible.
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