Romance in your mystery - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T02:06:28Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:146513?id=537324%3ATopic%3A146513&feed=yes&xn_auth=nothat's so true!
gargoyles, so…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-25:537324:Comment:1477892008-06-25T07:14:43.766Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
that's so true!<br />
gargoyles, so that's why I liked it!<br />
reminded me of my first mother in law!<br />
seriously, it is a good read because of the mystery, sure it is.<br />
Oops just thought of another one by DuMaurier--hope you don't mind.<br />
And I don't think it's a gothic romance, but an intriguing mysterious kind of, well book--perhaps a romance?<br />
"My Cousin Rachel"<br />
loved the film but read the book last year. Fabulous! An unforgettable story.
that's so true!<br />
gargoyles, so that's why I liked it!<br />
reminded me of my first mother in law!<br />
seriously, it is a good read because of the mystery, sure it is.<br />
Oops just thought of another one by DuMaurier--hope you don't mind.<br />
And I don't think it's a gothic romance, but an intriguing mysterious kind of, well book--perhaps a romance?<br />
"My Cousin Rachel"<br />
loved the film but read the book last year. Fabulous! An unforgettable story. That made me laugh I.J. At th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-25:537324:Comment:1477632008-06-25T02:11:03.109ZTinahttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Tina11
That made me laugh I.J. At the other end, there are lots of 'literary' (not my favorite term, I am not fond of many genre definitions and this has to be my least favorite for many reasons) fiction that throws in a murder mystery to varying degrees of success. But then I could go on and on with that subject! I hate the question - 'What do you write?' I start with saying 'fiction', then I say 'a novel where people die', or 'Suspense'. No one seems to know what to do with suspense and I just like…
That made me laugh I.J. At the other end, there are lots of 'literary' (not my favorite term, I am not fond of many genre definitions and this has to be my least favorite for many reasons) fiction that throws in a murder mystery to varying degrees of success. But then I could go on and on with that subject! I hate the question - 'What do you write?' I start with saying 'fiction', then I say 'a novel where people die', or 'Suspense'. No one seems to know what to do with suspense and I just like how it sounds. And yes, it is a murder mystery, but everyone seems to know someone writing a murder mystery so I have stopped using it. Like it's as easy as writing a shopping list.<br />
Carole - Let's call Rebecca a gothic mystery. It is has all the over the top, gargoyles flashing in the lightening elements but it's a ripping good read because of the mystery. sure, it's A romance in myste…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-24:537324:Comment:1477202008-06-24T20:10:51.078Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
sure, it's A romance in mystery clothing, but a romance by any other name.<br />
of course there are romances and romances--wonder how we'd classify "Rebecca" gothic romance but mystery too--I should think.
sure, it's A romance in mystery clothing, but a romance by any other name.<br />
of course there are romances and romances--wonder how we'd classify "Rebecca" gothic romance but mystery too--I should think. Hmm! I'm reading a Harlequin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-24:537324:Comment:1477182008-06-24T20:03:19.738ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Hmm! I'm reading a Harlequin mystery, and it's abundantly clear that it is chicklit that also tries to masquerade as a mystery. Such books are written for the same readers who read Harlequin romance. In this case, romance causes the novel not to work as a mystery.
Hmm! I'm reading a Harlequin mystery, and it's abundantly clear that it is chicklit that also tries to masquerade as a mystery. Such books are written for the same readers who read Harlequin romance. In this case, romance causes the novel not to work as a mystery. Right, clarified and thanks.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-24:537324:Comment:1477132008-06-24T18:56:05.094Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Right, clarified and thanks.<br />
I guess the genre (thinking of me) is broad enough for me to have a crime committed, yet there is such a web of sexual power and dominance concerning my Detective and another woman-- (is it right to capitalize Detective?)!, that it goes into other things too. Guilt, obsession, the drive to solve the crime yes, but so much else too, tearing him apart as he literally puts his life in the balance to get the killer.<br />
but I do know what you mean--don't mean to…
Right, clarified and thanks.<br />
I guess the genre (thinking of me) is broad enough for me to have a crime committed, yet there is such a web of sexual power and dominance concerning my Detective and another woman-- (is it right to capitalize Detective?)!, that it goes into other things too. Guilt, obsession, the drive to solve the crime yes, but so much else too, tearing him apart as he literally puts his life in the balance to get the killer.<br />
but I do know what you mean--don't mean to ramble!<br />
I've been working all day on and off but with loads of breaks--(husband away at a meeting overnight so I can really drive on)!<br />
anyway, thanks again Tina! I just reread what I said it…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-24:537324:Comment:1477112008-06-24T18:44:47.684ZTinahttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Tina11
I just reread what I said it isn't very clear is it - that's exactly waht I meant really Carole - I HAVE to include relationships, they are crucial to the plot I have built. But I don't think, 'hey I need some sex here or hey this guy needs a girlfriend'. I think, okay this guy's wife just died, his life is falling apart, he will push people away and make some really bad choices in who he trusts. But the main story is still the crime to be solved - only I hang it all on the psychological…
I just reread what I said it isn't very clear is it - that's exactly waht I meant really Carole - I HAVE to include relationships, they are crucial to the plot I have built. But I don't think, 'hey I need some sex here or hey this guy needs a girlfriend'. I think, okay this guy's wife just died, his life is falling apart, he will push people away and make some really bad choices in who he trusts. But the main story is still the crime to be solved - only I hang it all on the psychological breakdown of the character. But that is what I am interested in - how people act when bad things happen. I am not unique in this, many crime writers will do this to some degree don't you think? Some I have read recently that do this are Giles Blunt, Carl Hiassen, and John Connolly.<br />
Josephine - I know what you mean, I have given up on series that seem to end up all about the main character's personal life and nothing else. Yes but Tina,
What about a st…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-24:537324:Comment:1476512008-06-24T13:21:06.710Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Yes but Tina,<br />
What about a story like "The Postman Always Rings Twice" or "Double Indemnity?"<br />
The sexual affairs between the protagonists are crucial to the plot.<br />
What are your thoughts on that?<br />
<br />
And anyone else who cares to comment!
Yes but Tina,<br />
What about a story like "The Postman Always Rings Twice" or "Double Indemnity?"<br />
The sexual affairs between the protagonists are crucial to the plot.<br />
What are your thoughts on that?<br />
<br />
And anyone else who cares to comment! I don't think of "putting in…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-23:537324:Comment:1475782008-06-23T23:02:43.235ZTinahttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Tina11
I don't think of "putting in a love interest", so I guess it isn't a strong part of my writing. But, my characters have interactions with other characters which may or may not lead to sex and or some type of relationship. But there are no happy endings and it is integral to the plot and murder mystery. I couldn't leave it out without missing a big part of the psychological suspense in the novel. For reading I like both - hard core detective stuff with no romance would be my preference, but in…
I don't think of "putting in a love interest", so I guess it isn't a strong part of my writing. But, my characters have interactions with other characters which may or may not lead to sex and or some type of relationship. But there are no happy endings and it is integral to the plot and murder mystery. I couldn't leave it out without missing a big part of the psychological suspense in the novel. For reading I like both - hard core detective stuff with no romance would be my preference, but in the summer I might read something lighter with a guy or two thrown in for fun. Of course. I don't mind the r…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-23:537324:Comment:1475222008-06-23T15:50:21.932ZPepper Smithhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Reefrunner
Of course. I don't mind the romance, but I really don't want it to be the main point of the story. People have relationships. If they're just friends, that's fine with me, too. It does get less in the way of the story.
Of course. I don't mind the romance, but I really don't want it to be the main point of the story. People have relationships. If they're just friends, that's fine with me, too. It does get less in the way of the story. Janet Evanovich-- at least ac…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-06-23:537324:Comment:1474342008-06-23T03:44:21.435ZClair Dicksonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ClairDickson
Janet Evanovich-- at least according to Wikipedia-- wanted to write romance mysteries. Which is great for her.<br />
<br />
I don't like romance. I'd probably do as well writing it as George Lucas does (esp. in episodes 1, 2, and 3). And I don't care for it in my mystries.<br />
<br />
Clearly, some people (many?) like it. Mostly women have responded here saying they like it. And clearly, some people are very invested in their favorite character's love lives.<br />
<br />
Would you/ they/ anyone still read a mystery without a…
Janet Evanovich-- at least according to Wikipedia-- wanted to write romance mysteries. Which is great for her.<br />
<br />
I don't like romance. I'd probably do as well writing it as George Lucas does (esp. in episodes 1, 2, and 3). And I don't care for it in my mystries.<br />
<br />
Clearly, some people (many?) like it. Mostly women have responded here saying they like it. And clearly, some people are very invested in their favorite character's love lives.<br />
<br />
Would you/ they/ anyone still read a mystery without a love story woven in? Where people are friends without sleeping together? Where dates are a minor part of the plot, not a major one?