Why isn't there more sex in mysteries? Discussion today at the Kill Zone

[Kathryn Lilley]

Do mysteries have enough sex? Bestselling suspense author Eric Stone poses that question today at the Kill Zone. Read the post.

[Kathryn Lilley]

I write softboiled mysteries, so no sex (or nothing too exciting) in those!

[Dwight]

I'm working on a short story that morphed into a novella that may be morphing into a novel, and it's only the second story i've written with a sex scene. This time I made sure to be more....descriptive, so its not just 'sex' but 'sexy.' More importantly, I had to work it into the theme of the story/novella/whatever, which was a good challenge also.

[Jack Getze]

And where the heck is Kathryn? She started this.

[Jack Getze]

I might be wrong about shelter.

[B.R.Stateham]

Balance. It's all in the balance--and the balance should lean more toward story-line and moderately about sex. Don't exclude it. But decide for yourself--as the writer--just what is this ploy used for.

[Jon Loomis]

After shelter? Really?

[Jack Getze]

Since our lizard brains think of sex right after air, food, and shelter, I think a story without sex can't tell you as much about the characters.

[Thomas Grant Bruso]

I think sex is a small ingredient in mysteries. When I pick up a mystery story, I do not want to be bombarded with sexual situations. I am looking for a good plot and an interesting group of characters. If I wanted to read about sex, I'll pick up a romance book.

[John McFetridge]

Most books I read could use more sex. Jon's first book could have used more sex, so I'm glad to hear he's corrected this.

Sex is a great way to get deeper into characters, pardon the pun, but it's when you see them at their most naked. Of course, that's the reason we avoid sex in books, many people are afraid of sex and of the naked emotions that are exposed through sex.

There's plenty of sex in my books and once in a while it's there for character development ;)

[Jon Loomis]

Mine have way too much. Especially the new one.