Why Mysteries are Important By Judy L. Murray

The Queen of Mysteries Agatha Christie defined a mystery as a carefully constructed puzzle, typically a murder, a limited cast of suspects and clues, and a plot which allows the reader to try and solve the crime alongside the detective.

As a mystery author, I’m addicted to reading mysteries and look for one basic requirement above others. I want the story to be solidly devoted around a puzzle. Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton Mystery Series, Lori Roberts Herbst’s Callie Cassidy Mysteries, and Susan Van Kirk’s Art Center Mysteries are great examples. Their pages include clues, hidden meanings, and twists and turns. These authors know their genre. Yet, I’m contemplating how all good stories in any genre incorporate key elements of mysteries. After all, every story leads readers through different characters’ myriad of problems, angst, and decisions that often lead to a surprise ending – with or without a dead body along the way.

Since my college years, I’ve stored a hefty collection of over sixteen hundred pages written by the master of short stories, none other than William Sydney Porter, his pen name O’Henry. His stories always centered around everyday struggles of down and out New Yorkers in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Every story, much like a mystery, had a surprise element that tied the characters’ lives together with hope. His characters routed misfortune, and his readers loved them.

Probably one of his most famous and treasured stories is “The Gift of the Magi”. It’s a story that especially comes to my mind during the holidays. Its first paragraph is masterful. “One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all… And the next day was Christmas.” A big problem laid out in a handful of words. O’Henry’s brilliance shines through. I hope I can learn how to wrap an entire story’s premise in such a few. Readers embrace the struggle of Della and Jim who both yearn to give each other a special Christmas gift. How this young couple manages to give gifts of unimaginable value from pockets of only pennies is the last scene and brings tears to readers’ eyes. It is also a mystery solved.

Which brings me back to why mysteries are a genre that impacts all others. Sisters in Crime member, author, and teacher Susan Breen explained the elements of mysteries that can help all writers create good stories. Mystery writers demonstrate how to build suspense. Their plots are intricate. They use clues that aren’t always centered around a crime but can illustrate characters’ differences and add depth to the storyline. Afterall, Susan reminds us, every character has secrets.

Perhaps mysteries greatest attraction is their resolve to, page by page, heighten the tension. In my mind, that’s definitely a skill every author, no matter the genre, needs to hone.

Can you remember a story you enjoyed in a different genre that incorporated the elements of a mystery? Was it historical, romance, fantasy, literary?

Judy L. Murray

Discover my award-winning Chesapeake Bay Mystery Series! www.judylmurraymysteries.com