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.
