New Murder Mystery Writers Surface Daily

By Tara Daniels


The genre of crime and mystery is exciting for all ages. Almost everyone enjoys a tale of things gone wrong. There are new stories surfacing daily from new murder mystery writers. Even early readers, just getting into chapter books, love to read these puzzles, as do adults. Even other genres often have elements of crime and mayhem in them.

Though authors who they have been depending on for years by publishers are their lifeblood, they also look for new talent. They constantly look for new talent to add to their stable of authors. Sometimes they launch new talent in connection with veteran authors. Using common themes, the new names are helped by the loyalty of the veteran's readers.

Though they are not exactly new, Cozy novels are considered a new genre. Similar to old British crime novels, but with a difference, these novels feature a female sleuth as the protagonist. Read mostly by women, they are also generally written by women. The female sleuth is quite good at figuring out the puzzle presented, often when others have been unsuccessful. They are able to solve the crime with what seems to be little effort.

Certain significant characteristics are common for the cozies. The biggest is the absence of violence. Though someone does get killed, the reader never sees the gory details that are often portrayed in other mysteries. There is merely the suggestion of what happens. The reader decodes the event using their experience with other crime novels.

Other traits of this genre is the fact that the sleuth is a woman, an amateur, and works independently of any organization, though they can often get help from the professionals. Often, romantic interests are developed. However, just as violence is not depicted, neither are details of sexual relationships.

A cozy novel is character-driven as opposed to being plot-driven. The characters are strong figures. The female sleuth is especially strongly developed. Settings may be exotic, or in interesting local setting. Cruise ships are popular for settings. The crime may have occurred in the sleuth's own neighborhood. However, especially if a series is planned, the local murders will of course have to be limited.

Just because the characters are the main focus doesn't mean that plot is not significant. Many authors weave detailed plot lines throughout the story. It is just that characterization takes precedence. The female protagonist, or sleuth, is the most strongly developed character, and the reader follows her closely as she solves the puzzle. Romantic suspense novels and the dark Gothic novels are both variations of the cozy.

This genre, or sub-genre of crime novels, is rapidly growing, meaning there is a need for new murder mystery writers to write them. Publishers are constantly searching for new talent who can deliver these tales. If the author can provide a character-driven tale with a strong plot, such as that delivered by Gillian B. Farrell and W. Edward Blain, they will be highly valued by these publishers. Other authors may not write exactly in this genre, however.




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