mystery
Exploring the Isolation of the British Countryside
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There is a magnificent bit in a Sherlock Holmes story, whichโsubconsciously in the beginning, I guess โ gave me the inspiration for my first detective novel, Death Under a…
Cozy Mystery Subgenres: Making the Perfect Blend
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Cozy mystery is a subgenre of crime fiction. When readers ask what are cozy mysteries, I explain theyโre mysteries without on-the-page violence, physical intimacy or naughty words. Thatโs the…
Wildlife and Wonderlands in Mysteries
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Iโm a city girl, but I really enjoy reading stories set in state parks and forests and islands and other areas where there is less population, and the environment…
The Importance of the Plot Twist
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Who doesnโt love a superbly executed plot twist? One that completely takes you by surprise and turns the story on its head. One that makes you gasp out loud…
The Amish Fence
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Youโve seen the Amish culture in books, movies and even in exaggerated โreality shows.โ Without electricity, automobiles, TV, radio or other modern conveniences, the Amish drive horse drawn buggies,…
What Makes a Forest Such a Seductive Setting for Fiction?
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The woods have been a popular setting in literature for centuries, from the Grimm Brothers to todayโs bestsellers, but what makes a forest such a seductive setting for fiction?…
The Best Traditional Mysteries of 2023
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For me, there are few things more enjoyable than a good, old-fashioned whodunnit. Or a good, new-fashioned whodunnit. I say it a lot on this website, but, to me,…
An Unconventional Christmas Novel by an Unconventional Writer
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The Christmas Egg, first published in 1958, is an unconventional Christmas crime novel by an unconventional writer. Mary Kelly was one of the most talented British novelists to write…
Sherlockian Collaborations and the Joys of Fandom
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Bonnie MacBird is regarded as one of the top Sherlock Holmes writers, and her five Sherlock Holmes Adventures for HarperCollins have developed a following. Frank Cho is a top…