Would you read a really complicated mystery?

Question

Most of the fiction novels I pick up, I find the overall theme isn't that complicated.

Does anyone else agree? Or do you like easy reads?

Answer 1

I love reading a mystery that is complicated, but doesn't make it overly so to the point where you go "Huh? Where did they get that from?" at the end.

Answer 2

I’m a bit confused. Your topic question addresses mysteries, then you mention themes of “fiction novels.” I'll address mysteries only -- novels in general would take too long. :-)

I like mysteries as a genre, but find that most of the good ones are film screenplays. Agatha Christie’s books are mediocre in my opinion, though “Murder in the Calais Coach” was pretty clever [it’s film version was “Murder on the Orient Express”]. Incidentally, two years ago I was commissioned to write a comedy that parodies mysteries -- I had great fun satirizing Dame Agatha’s style in a few places.

I think that the people who have a talent for creating mystery plots have gravitated toward Hollywood films instead of the publishing world -- there’s a better chance of getting work, and better riches if a project is a success. I really wish Colin Higgins had lived longer; his scripts for “Foul Play” and “Silver Streak” are clever and fun.

Some of Hitchcock’s films have magnificently plotted mysteries [my favorite is “Rear Window”]. One of his favorite plot devices was to have an innocent man get embroiled in intrigue without knowing what’s going on -- both he and the audience are confused until the last 1/4 or so.

Though Stephen King is generally called a “horror writer,” I think many of his books can be classified as mysteries simply because the characters [and often times the reader] don’t know what’s going on until the end. In addition, some of his plots are so good that it creates an air of tension because the reader doesn’t know how the story will end, but is so engrossed that they are anxious to find out what happens.

I don’t think I’m answering your question very well, simply because I’m not that well read in the mystery genre -- I know there are a lot of books and authors that I simply haven’t encountered. However, if you’re looking for some very enjoyable mysteries, seek out Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and books. I had avoided them because I thought they’d be boring Victorian writing, but 15 years ago a friend strong-armed me into reading them. I was hooked immediately, and have since read every story and book at least three times. The plotting is ingenious, the characters engaging, and it’s just brilliant the way Conan Doyle has Holmes describe how ordinary things found at a crime scene reveal aspects of the crime and the perpetrator. The writing is very British, but not stuffy. Great fun. [Interestingly, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is considered his greatest work, but I find it less interesting than most of his other pieces.]

Answer 3

Most books are written on a fifth grade level. The problem with complicated mysteries is that the secret to writing a good mis that the reader should always feel like they should be able to figure out who did it, but they shouldn't actually figure it out. Complicated in and of itself. Add to it that at the end the reader wants to think "Of course! It's obvious now!"

However, I'd suggest maybe your just reading the formulaic best sellers. There are a lot of really complicated mysteries out there for people who are interested.

Check out the Club Dumas.If you like that try his other books. also look in fiction instead of mystery for your reading material.

Answer 4

The mystery novel is meant to follow a certain pattern. If the formula were complicated too much, it would cease to be a mystery and start to be something else. But yes, I agree with you that it would be nice if mysteries were more intricate and inventive.

Perhaps one of the most complicated mysteries of all time is The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. It's a medieval mystery written by one of the world's greatest literary scholars. It's very complicated and full of history and philosophy, but it sounds like something you might be looking for.

Answer 5

Yes I like complicated but is still has to be well crafted. Also, some writers just, or must, write to appeal to a mass audience.

Here's a recommendation for you:

Body of Lies by David Ignatius

Answer 6

I like both. Sometimes it's restful to just read and not puzzle over what happened and such. Other times I want a good brain teasing story.

Answer 7

i would love to read a complicated mystery they are rare therefore i dont read them that often

Answer 8

of course! complexity is key to a good mystery (as are plot twists) Have any good recommendations?

Answer 9

I don't mind either. But I do like a little bit of a challenge.

Answer 10

Nope. Mysteries aren't my thing.