EPUBBING with NICOLA FURLONG

Though its origins seem to be the British Isles, the mystery scene hopped across the Pacific into the US in the thirties and forties and was embraced by tough-talking private dicks.

Since then, the mystery scene has gone global and the plot just keeps getting thicker.



There are sleuths of all descriptions—even cats, quadriplegics, and Queen Elizabeth the second—and enough DNA and forensic evidence to choke a morgue full of coroners.

In today’s crime novels, however, the detective is explored as much as the crime. His or her personal life comes into play, colouring, sometimes muddying, the murder investigation. And the ultimate crime takes a serious toll on everyone affected.





In other words, it’s lot more like real life.



Not only are mysteries being written all over the world, they now explore an amazing variety of themes. And the writing styles range from crisp and hard as a revolver’s butt, to lyrical and smooth as a black mask.


If you want humour, nature, excitement or romance, there’s a whodunit for you. Seeking tragedy, passion, or insight into the human condition? Grab a good crime story and fill your gumshoes.





So, we’ve investigated the crime scene. What evidence have we uncovered to help us understand its perennial popularity?

The answer’s elementary, my dear Watson, as you’ll see in the next post.

(And thanks to my fellow Canadian crime writers for their cover pics.)

Tags: crime fiction, detective fiction, mystery, writing how to

This entry was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 2:48 pm and is filed under Epubbing General, Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.