Topic: What Genre? (Read 20250 times)

Mo · « **on:** October 12, 2006, 02:12:08 PM »

The book I am working on features a murder, but we know who the murderer is from the beginning. The "mystery" aspect comes from how the crime is committed and how the killer gets away with it. Would this still be considered a mystery? I hesitate to call it a thriller because it's not frightening...it's more lighthearted and humurous than I've made it sound here.
Thanks,
Mo

p.s. Thanks Jane, for letting me know about the new site. I haven't been on in ages and ages...haven't been writing either. I hope to change all that!

ArlineChase · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2006, 02:34:08 PM »

Dear Mo,

A mystery editor at Walker Books once told me there are two kinds of mystery stories: open and closed. Open are the traditional "Who Done it?" Think Agatha Christie, a bunch of suspects, a detective follows clues, then reveals the murderer. The "closed" mystery is more the Colombo kind, where the reader knows the guilty party, but how the detective can catch him and prove it is the mystery.

arline

Ingrid · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2006, 02:36:19 PM »

I'm thinking ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Mainly because I had to account for the light-hearted murder concept.

dhparker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2006, 03:45:59 PM »

Could it possibly be a caper? This site http://www.mysteryguide.com/caper.html defines a caper this way: "Books we classify as capers are defined by their humorous narration, scrambling action, bumbling but lovable characters, and sheer fun. The protagonists need not be super-realistic or the plot totally uncoincidental, as comedic effect is the primary goal."

Hummm. Well, as I look at other definitions, maybe not. Another site: http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateMystery/defs.html#defsC says: "The Caper Mystery:
"(The yin-yang opposite of the Straight Whodunnit). A step-by-step analysis of a crime as it is planned by the man who is going to bring it off." Considered a sub-type of the Whodunnit."

Not much help, I guess, but those two sites are interesting.

donna

JIM DOHERTY · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2006, 07:52:07 PM »

Mo,

I gave a more complete answer back at the old site (which I still check in at regularly and will 'til it's closed for good).

Briefly, "mystery" is the term generally applied to the broad genre. "Whodunit" is a specific plot type within the broad genre, but it doesn't encompass the whole genre.

It sounds like what you're writing is what's sometimes called an "inverted" mystery, sometimes an "open" mystery, sometimes a Columbo-style mystery.

Mo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2006, 08:40:15 PM »

Thanks for all your responses...that helps a lot!
Mo

Kate Maguire · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2006, 07:37:08 AM »

Dang, Mo! I haven't checked all the posts, just stop in to cruise every now and then, so only just now found your post. So glad you're back, glad to see you're writing again.

Welcome home!

Kate

Mo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2008, 08:25:28 PM »

Wow, I just logged on after almost TWO YEARS. I hope to see old familiar faces and meet new folks as well. How's this for an update....I am writing! Daily!
My caper mystery is turning out better than anticipated and, most importantly, I am having a blast! I hope to stay on top of it once school starts up again, so I will be checking in regularly from here on out.
Looking forward to getting reaquainted!
-Mo