We Love Mysteries!

Peg, Ever since I could read, I've loved reading mysteries. As a child I devoured every book in the Judy Bolton, Trixie Belden, and Nancy Drew series. I started writing a mystery in second grade, but couldn't get beyond Chapter Two. Even then I found plotting to be a challenge. Recently, I've read three mysteries I heartily recommend: THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH by Katherine Hall Page, U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton, and BOOKPLATE SPECIAL by Lorna Barrett.
Marilyn

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Well, we have something in common, Marilyn. I was an avid Nancy Drew fan as a child as well! I also loved Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately the book in our public library was entitled A BOY’S SHERLOCK HOLMES and I was sure the librarian wasn't going to let me take it out! But she did, and I'd read a story every night--something I looked forward to all day long. (I still love to read in bed at night!)

I thought it would be fun to write my own mystery. There was a huge, old house down the street--built around 1850. Two enormous stone pillars flanked the driveway and I thought either of them would make a great place to hide a dead body! Rather ghoulish for an eight year old, don't you think??

I must admit I've been going through a non-reading period lately -- something that happens to me every once in awhile. I've been trying to finish Stieg Larsson’s GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO I find it very slow going although it's had rave reviews and is on the NY Times bestseller list. Have you read it?
Peg

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I LOVED THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO but there was one slow section of back story I had to get past. I look forward to seeing the movie, which is coming to the U.S. in mid March. I also enjoyed the sequel, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE and can't wait to read the third and last book of the series. Though I write cozies, I find I often enjoy reading grittier books. And the Larsson books sure are gritty in places!

Though I read stand alone mystery novels, I often read series. I've read all of Katherine Hall Page's Faith Fairchild books and thought the last one was especially good. Why do you think we enjoy reading mystery series? Why do you think we write them?
Marilyn

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Looks like I'll have to give the book a second chance! Perhaps when I started it I wasn't in the right mood for the story--know what I mean?

I love mystery series as well--especially Deborah Crombie, Cynthia Harrod Eagles (she writes wonderfully witty dialogue), Jill McGown (who has sadly passed away), P.D. James, Peter Robinson. I guess I gravitate toward English writers or writers who write about England!

I love writing mysteries because ultimately murder comes about because of human emotion, and I think exploring emotion is fascinating.
Peg

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I love mysteries because when you've finished the final chapter you come away with a sense of completion and justice served -- at least in most cases. And mystery series have given us some of our favorite heroes and heroines-- Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Hercules Poirot, and Nero Wolfe to name only a few.
Marilyn