This week: Solver on a Salver Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  
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| This newsletter was inspired by the author of the Mrs. Pollifax series, Dorothy Gilman.. Her protagonist, Mrs. Pollifax, is a widow who volunteers with the CIA as a spy. She then meets and marries her (second) Prince Charming. After that, Gilman said in an interview, it was always a problem to know what to do with the husband in order that the protagonist solve the problem. |
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Dear Reader.
Cyrus has gone birdwatching.
Cyrus (a former lawyer and retired judge) is helping his nephew with the biggest murder trial in history.
Cyrus has a broken leg and can't travel.
Cyrus is visiting his daughter and grandchildren in Africa.
Cyrus has been kidnapped.
This, then, is what happens to Cyrus, the second husband of Mrs. Pollifax in the Mrs. Pollifax series of spy stories. He's the love of Mrs. Pollifax's life, he's the one she thinks of most while she's away solving a case, he's the one the readers empathise with -- and he's the one who has to move out of the way because otherwise, he'd solve the case, not Mrs. Pollifax. And THAT wouldn't do at all, since she's the protagonist.
So Cyrus has to be out of the way in a plausible, dignified fashion. Just like so many supporting cast members in various series. Dumbledore, receiving a summons ffrom the Ministry at a crucial time, or even being chucked out of Hogwarts altogether, to make way for the trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) to solve things and get the credit. He even dies for this reason, plot-wise.
And that is a whole category in plotting altogether. A believable way of getting more competent members of the cast to be unavailable to solve the mystery. This is why it's important for these members to be almost as well rounded and real as the protagonist. Cyrus, the first time we meet him in Mrs. Pollifax on Safari, shows his fondness for birdwatching, his protective feelings for his daughter and his expertise with the law. So when he can't accompany Mrs. Pollifax on her jaunts for the CIA, it's plausible.
With Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books, there could be various reasons why he allowed a bunch of teenagers to put themselves in mortal danger time and gain to solve things. He was eccentric. He wanted them to try their strength. He knew fully well that it wasn't his story, it was Harry's. He was actually, physically unavailable at the time. Either way, the reader either accepts it or shrugs it off, saying 'Well that's Dumbledore'.
And that's what layering in a mystery story is. Not only acknowledging 'that is –' for the solver, but also 'that is –' for the supporter, who handed them the mystery on a salver.
Thanks for listening,
 |
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Thank you for the responses to "The Mystery of Coincidence"
ForeverDreamer  That was a very interesting experience. I agree. That was no coincidence.
Paul  Hi,
I like that. She got what she needed and paid her perceived debt. It’s not often we get a repeat though. Softly emotional, it’s a nice soft, warm, emotional stroke late at night. Thank you for sharing that. Stay safe and enjoy life, it’s a wonderful place to hang out. Paul🐸
An apple a day....  Short and sweet...I love your newsletters.
Quick-Quill  What a beautiful story. We can see wonders if we take the time to look for them. If you hadn't recalled the instruction or dismissed it, you wouldn't have helped the pup or had that wonderful feeling. |
| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
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Mystery: October 27, 2021 Issue [#11044]
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