Why are Murder Mysteries so popular?
I read an interesting article the other day published in The University Daily Kansan, the student voice of the University of Kansas, which was brought to me courtesy of the Book2Book web site. It asked the question why so many people are fascinated with the crime/mystery genre.
The mystery genre is intensely popular. In the “Library Journal” Random House declared mysteries their most popular audio books, which, the article said, seemed odd, given that most mystery novels concern what few people want to think about, death.
So why do so many people enjoy reading crime novels? I know from my own reading experience and my reader feedback that many people like a puzzle to solve, a mystery to pit their wits against, a thrill, lots of action and the psychology of characters - why do they do the things they do? That's what fascinates me. In fiction justice is served and the results neatly tied up, not like in messy real-life at all.
What do you think? Let me know.
About Pauline
Hailed in the USA as the new Ed McBain and with her writing compared to Joseph Wambaugh, Pauline Rowson is a British crime author with International sales and a growing following of fans of her fictional flawed and rugged detective, DI Andy Horton...
Connections
Causes Pauline Rowson Supports
Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund, http://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/text.asp?PageID=2 Motor Neurone's Disease Association...
Pauline’s Favorite Books
Too many to mention but anything by Robert Goddard and Reginald Hill as well as the Golden Age of Crime novels.
I have been diligently
I have been diligently working my way through the entire Sherlock Holmes collection....and I have to say that this stuff is timeless. His methods (considering the technology of the time) were every bit as compelling as anything you'd see on Miami CSI. Doyle was SO far ahead of his time.
Good mystery writing is good writing. Simple enough.
eric
Murder mysteries
I agree. The people who are very good at mystery writing make it seem almost simple and yet their work is compelling and page turning. Agatha Christie is another one who apears to do this effortlessly. Crime novels don't have to be hard-boiled to entertain and thrill, quite the contrary. Look how long Christie and Doyle have been going and their books sell and sell and sell. I also love the investigation of a crime and the unravelling of clues as well as getting to grips with the motivations of the characters.
Murder mystery popularity
It's also the excitement of the journey, sub-plotting and characterizations. Oh, yeah, the places of actions, situations and weapons. I'm looking for that murder mystery that has several endings, leaving the reader to decide which one is most satisfying - interactive readership, that's the future. Perhaps I'll write that interactive murder mystery novel!!!
Ben Campbell www.lulu.com/bencampbell
Murder Mysteries
Hi Ben, Why not? Interactive novels are already here. I like to leave certain things open ended in a novel, like where is DI Horton's mother? Will he ever find her? Will Horton gain access to his daughter? But the crime itself I like well and truly solved by my hero with, of course, some help from Cantelli.
Mystery
Pauline,
Interesting topic and insightful comments!
In addition to the attraction of any phenomenon, real or fictional, that generates mystery and/or wonder, surely the psychology of vicarious experience, if not voyeurism, with its escapist appeal and " excitement" is another factor drawing us into such stories. Our consciousness or "sense of being alive" is stimulated and expanded beyond our mundane daily lives.
The emotional "curve" of what Aristotle described happens in experiencing tragedy, namely catharsis and "cleansing" of built-up tensions in a kind of release and renewal has to be another appeal and very practical function that is served by involving ourselves in mysteries. Upon returning to our own world after such emotional "flights", we are relieved and refreshed in its relative calm (order) and our resulting feeling of contentment--a kind of satiation or fulfillment expressed in the line "All's right with the world."