  Mystery
This week: Puzzling the 'Why' of a Mystery Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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All that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
Edgar Alan Poe.
Life is a mystery -
living is finding and solving the clues.
Welcome to this week's edition of the Mystery Newsletter. A mystery by nature is a question in search of an answer - a puzzle! And when we uncover the answer to the question, effectively solving the puzzle moments before the writer gives us the solution, follow clues tactile and cerebral, the momentary satisfaction is sublime! And we enjoy the thrill of the search, have fun along the way.
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Greetings! Welcome to this week's Mystery Newsletter. Okay, we know a mystery is a puzzle. A puzzle that answers one or more of several questions, for example,
 Who-Done-It? How? or Why?
{This sets the mystery apart, in its myriad forms and sub-genres today, from the historical novel, or science fiction, or even a thriller, assuming the same research and knowledge by the writer of each?
Writers of mystery sometimes ask, "Must there be a crime to open the mystery, or is the threat of a crime, or an underlying sense of criminal intent, sufficient to make the story a 'mystery' for the reader?"
Now, we know all mysteries are suspenseful, i.e., we don't know the answers and must find and solve clues to learn them, piece them together. They may be thrilling, but when they are not driven by constant escalating action and momentum, we are solving a mystery.
For example, in a police procedural, the first question {"Who done it?") would drive the reader to solve a puzzle, with clues, along with the protagonist. But, in a mystery that focuses on suspense, the third question ("Why") would drive the story; perhaps the crime itself not uncovered until late in the story, once the reader is immersed in the mystery of 'why' the events did or would unfold to lead to the need to commit the crime.
Suspense mysteries are often written in multiple voices, or several points of view, including that of the apparent antagonist. Note, I say 'apparent' as sometimes in a suspense story, one is not quite certain who the 'good guys' are - another 'mystery' to solve.
Two main types of suspense mysteries, where 'why' drives the story rather than 'how or who-done-it', are 'psychological suspense' and 'romantic suspense,' each of which probes with more depth the character of the protagonist, possible antagonist, and their interactions with ancillary characters. They each feel at home with a 'cozy' type theme, with amateur sleuths joining to answer questions, solve a clue, as they get to know each other and become more involved in each other's lives. The crime or event itself may not be revealed until the characters reveal it either through intent (committing a crime) or happenstance (stumbling across or compelled to commit a crime).
In a psychological suspense mystery, the character's motivations and background are integral to the unfolding story. In a romantic suspense mystery, a relationship develops along with the mystery, interwoven with the story and, at times, more vital to development of the story, with the characters finding clues to each other's motivations (and their own) as they work to solve an impending or existing mystery crime or plot.
From the start of a mystery of suspense, the reader is drawn into the lives of the protagonists who may already know 'who-done-it' and have to prove it to others, or follow relevant leads so that a crime is not repeated (or, perhaps, prevent the criminal from committing the really dastardly crime - if the initial discovery is a red herring, perhaps )
A story is a mystery if any of the three questions need answering - 'who-done-it' 'why' or 'how' - and the writer provides clues and leads for the reader to solve in answer, along with the characters in his/her literary 'otherworld.' The emphasis on which of the above questions drives the story determines the type of mystery unfolding as we solve the clues.
Thank you for inviting me into your virtual home, and I know you will enjoy some of the stories and verse crafted of mystery and suspense by writers in our Community.
Until we next meet,
Keep Writing
Kate - Writing & Reading
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I invite you to read some of the mysteries of suspense in prose and verse, asking "Why" was it done, offered for you sleuthing, and reviewing, pleasure, then perchance create your own mystery of suspense with a twist 
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I'd like to share some comments in response to our exploration last month of the differences (and similarities) between a mystery and a thriller, and hope that you will pay each of them a visit for some good sleuthing.
From: Summer Day♥ 
Thank you for this! You laid out the similarities and differences perfectly. This is a wonderful explanation.
I'm glad you found our exploration helpful with your writer's journey, and thank you for sharing your comments as you Write On!
From: Sum1's Home 
Kate, Thank you so much for including my story, "Terror At Midnight" in your newsletter this week. I don't normally write in the mystery/thriller genre, so this was a bit new to me. But the story had been in my head for quite a while, I just couldn't think of a decent ending. I had a couple, but each had been used recently by well known authors. Finally one came to me, and it seemed to work. Thanks again! Jim
Stepping outside our comfort zone can lead to a unique gem of a story woven of what you know and what you imagine. Thanks for sharing a good read.
From:
Arakun the twisted raccoon 
Great newsletter! I think "Silence of the Lambs" qualifies as a mystery thriller.
Yes, I agree. The depth of characterization and the anxious thrill in the hunt for an answer to the puzzle.
From: Jeff 
Excellent NL, Kate! One of the main distinctions I make between mysteries and thrillers is in their tone (basically your second point). Mysteries, IMO, focus on creating an intellectual atmosphere of ambiguity, uncertainty, and puzzlement, while thrillers are more inclined to evoke an emotional atmosphere of anxiety, trepidation, suspense, etc. Many of these elements overlap of course, but I always think of them in terms of the reading experience. If I'm sitting there trying to logically figure out a puzzle, I'm usually reading a mystery. If I'm sitting there trying to keep the terror and anxiety from gnawing up my insides, I'm probably reading a thriller.
Great comparison - logic to solve a mystery vs. the attempt to stay one step ahead of whatever comes next in a thriller. Thank you for your vivid comparison
From: Quick-Quill 
I read that a thriller involves a threat of some kind; either espionage, medical, terrorism or a form of threat that is implemented by a physical being but the effect will harm a great number of people. Sum of All Fears is a great example of a thriller. While Sherlock Holmes is a mystery.
A great comparison of the books to show the difference. The thriller as a story where one must act, to avert a threat to many; stay one step ahead of, or at least not fall behind..
From: Voodoo Shampoo
Very nicely summarized. {it gives one a clear idea of what to write in a mystery, help i think i needed.
I'm glad you enjoyed the journey and look forward to solving (reading) your mystery. Write On!
Until we next meet ~
Write On
Kate
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Mystery: November 13, 2012 Issue [#5360]
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