Where to begin

In January of 2012, I enrolled in a detective fiction course for school.  This is from an essay at the start of the class that I thought might help better expound upon some of the things I have been trying to convey for some time.

There is something comforting about a murder mystery or at least certain murder mysteries for me. I am speaking particularly of the ones where one finds oneself in a small hamlet, with an over large cemetery. These are the ones where every time you meet a new character they are either a victim or a murderer. Stir in a lead character with some pluck and let the mayhem ensue. It is a little certainty in an uncertain world for me as a reader. I particularly like mysteries where the lead sleuth is an amateur. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Jessica Fletcher when I grew up, and I am still drawn to that kind of mystery novel protagonist.

I didn’t cut my teeth on Sherlock Holmes like most people do. I always thought there was something pretentious about Sherlock Holmes that made me less interested in reading those stories. It wasn’t until the recent BBC production of Sherlock Holmes that I saw a version of him that I was drawn to, and having heard the portrayal is generally accurate to the novels, I have been excited to read the books. Doyle has been in my reading queue for a bit, so the fact that I get to read them for this class is an added bonus.

Anyway, my first real eye-opening introduction to mysteries came when I was about 10 with “Angie’s First Case” by Donald Sobol (of Encyclopedia Brown fame). It was the first chapter book I had really been engaged in, and the first time I was so enthralled by a book that I curled up and read it cover to cover on a Saturday afternoon. I loved the experience so much I have been afraid to re-read it for fear that it would no longer be what I imagined it to be. For this reason, I have lost most of the story line and couldn’t offer much comment.

My favorite mystery/thriller novel though is probably “Cranes of Ibycus” by Mary Craig. This was a book my mom picked up at a library book sale when I was a teenager which I promptly borrowed. It was so much more then I expected to be, and the story was so driving that I couldn’t put it down. A couple of years ago, my mom gave me the book when I asked if I could borrow it again. As much as I was afraid of the disappointed nostalgia, I fell in love with it all over again. I tend to prefer the type of mystery where an amateur gets caught up in a complex problem (murder or otherwise) they can’t solve, and the story becomes a journey through all of the clues and processes that lead them to a resolution. Many times, and “Cranes of Ibycus” is not an exception, the character grows through this experience and there is nothing more important to me in a story of any genre of fiction then character development.

This book is not a murder mystery per se and it certainly isn’t detective fiction. But it is does feel so thrilling while one is reading it. The characters are ones that you can care about which is actually a fairly important factor in a novel for me because it means that you start to care about the same things they do and one can get caught up in those near-death or near-awesome experiences. It is an out-dated and out-of-print book but one of the most enjoyable reads I have ever had.

Actually writing this I found that there is another out-of-print book by Mary Craig and I purchased it on Amazon. I may have to wait until June to read it but I wanted to find some of that same reading experience again.

By way of introduction

 I love murder mysteries from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.  I know that I should be ashamed to say that.  I have heard the stereotypes.  Mysteries are so predictable.  It is the same story over and over.  

But, it doesn’t matter.  I am unfazed by these arguments.  I love collecting clues.  I love the plot twists.  I love the page-turning suspense.  I revel in the moment of brilliance when I solve the mystery before the lead investigator.  Other times I have to ride the story all the way to the end to find out what happened.   I have read the classics by Poe and Doyle.  I grew following the trail of Encyclopedia Brown.  I have devoured the dime store novels that could have perhaps used another go around with an editor’s red pen.  I have read the gritty pulp novels as well as the dark psychological thrillers.  Of all the sub-genres I have explored, I think my favorites are the inexperienced meddling busy-body detectives.  You know, the detectives with an unrelated day job who live in a small town and always seem to be helping to solve a murder.  I guess I like my detectives to have a little pluck.

Today however the mystery genre has expanded beyond the printed page.  There are television shows from detective serials, police procedurals, forensic analysis, psychic detectives, and even supernatural gumshoes.  There are interactive board games and puzzles that draw the audience in to solve the mystery and find out whodunit.  Several video game creators have been exploring the mystery genre by having their players choose their own adventures.  The player has to solve the mystery based upon the clues they find and the evidence that they gather from witnesses; however, the evidence changes depending upon the choices that the players make.  There are even live action murder mystery events that are hosted on cruises or even in one’s own living room.

It is an exciting time to be a mystery lover.  This genre crosses borders and cultures and grows increasingly popular despite the naysayers.  This blog aims to share my explorations into the world of the mystery genre and all the different forms it has evolved into.  

I thought that it would be fun to explore through this blog all the new books, movies, television shows, games and various miscellany that make up the mystery genre.  I am not an expert.  I don’t hold a degree in criminology.  I am just another armchair gumshoe waiting for her next adventure. 

Murder She Wrote

Recently I have been watching Murder She Wrote on Netflix while I knit. It is good background noise to keep my brain busy and I can tune it out when I need to concentrate.

When I was a kid I loved this show. My dad and I were both night owls and there was often Murder She Wrote reruns on TV. I grew up wanting to be like Jessica Fletcher when I was older. In fact I think she is the reason I once harbored desires to be a writer. The show isn't nearly as brilliant as I remember but nostalgia does excellent things for the palate.

I also have been enjoying the Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple. I don't really enjoy most versions of this but there is something sort of sassy and naughty but for the most part still respectable about her portrayal.

On the book front, I have been reading the Lady Julia Grey novels by Deanna Raybourn. I enjoyed the first two very much but I am less enthralled as I go through the series. I do have to say that this author knows how to write an opening page. I have some other general issues with her style and that may be what is making me loose interest. I will finish reading the current one and try her next before I make any decisions.