Forty+ Years of Loving the Whodunit
When I worked at the public library in my late teens, I would often roll my eyes at the enthusiasm of the more mature patrons for the mystery section. Fast forward forty plus years and I'm now one of those patrons; the mystery section is my first destination.
To set the stage, a quick definition (Wikipedia). A mystery is a genre of fiction where the perpetrator of an event (usually a murder or other crime) remains mysterious until the end of the story. There is typically a circle of suspects, which may change throughout the story, who have a credible motive and opportunity to commit the crime. The central character(s) is often some type of detective who eventually solves the mystery by logical deduction, from facts presented to the reader.
Several “girl detective” series including Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden served as the gateway to my long-term love of mysteries. I hadn’t read one of these in many years, so I tracked down a few familiar titles and re-read them. What was it about these books that had kept me coming back for more back then? And, what is it about mysteries in general that continues to hold my interest decades later?
Re-reading a couple of Nancy Drew mysteries as a mature reader was an interesting experience. They were understandably dated and the plots pretty contrived, yet I could still see the appeal to my younger self. The stories jump right into the action, there is typically travel, and the teenaged heroine has a car, a low-maintenance boyfriend, and is brimming with confidence. As with most mysteries, there is resolution in the end (in these books it often involves reclaiming actual treasure), which continues to be strangely comforting in a world where loose ends and shades of grey are the norm.
There is further appeal in a series, as readers can get to know the characters and ideally see these characters evolve. That’s not always the case but, even then, there is a welcome sense of familiarity at the start of each new adventure. The dynamics of the characters as they work together to solve the mystery is also a big draw for me. This is not a large feature in the Nancy Drew series, where the complexity of the characters is limited, but in several mystery series I’ll explore in subsequent blogs the relationship and growth of characters over time becomes a rich element of the story.
As one of my friends pointed out, the mystery as a literary genre may not always get the respect it deserves. And, I suspect, there are some who have a very distinct idea of what a mystery is, not realizing the many varieties now available. In the tradition of Agatha Christie and P.D. James, the classic England-centric mystery is still alive and well; Elizabeth George is a contemporary favourite of mine in this realm. But there are also many other options for the dedicated or prospective mystery reader to explore.
Mysteries come in all levels of intensity, from “cozy” mysteries to higher-action thrillers. I’ve also noticed mysteries revolving around many different interests and situations: baking, knitting, wine-making, libraries or bookstores, house/pet-sitting, gardening, and many more. Medical and legally-focused mysteries are another very popular mystery type, as are those set in the past. And, mysteries also range in terms of the expertise of the “detective(s)” involved, from the amateur who has a penchant for stumbling from one crime scene into another, to the private detective/professional sleuth, to the “police procedural” made popular through many TV series. In fact, the blog Murder by 4 outlines 13 types of mysteries, and there are likely more.
While mysteries aren’t for everyone, I encourage anyone who’s curious to scan the offerings of your local library (in-person or online) and try out anything that catches your eye. In this time of extended uncertainty, there is something very enticing about escaping into a world where reason and resolution rein.
