Did you notice how murder/mystery programs are populating prime time TV hours? Elementary. CSI. NCIS. Rizzoli and Isles. Perception. Castle. Major Crimes. I'm sure you can name your own favorites. Then there is the selection of cozy mysteries from cat themes to dog themes, to museum themes and library themes and cooking themes. Less graphic with some humor and quirky characters, cozies are gaining a wider audience than they've ever had.
I believe these are five reasons why we watch and read them:
JUSTICE
Most people want life to be fair. When it isn't, it's human nature to want to find the person to blame for the injustice. In murder mystery TV or fiction, the bad guy is apprehended. All might not be right with the world, but justice has, in some way, been served.
PUZZLE
Who doesn't enjoy a good puzzle? Puzzles keep our minds sharp and challenge us to solve a problem before someone else. Can we follow the clues? Can we guess correctly? Can we figure out underlying messages another reader or watcher might miss? And whether or not we finger the right person, it's been kind of a lark to try.
EMPOWERMENTLaw enforcement protocol interests the general public. In many ways, we want to peek behind closed doors to see how detectives run down leads to solve a case. What methods do they use? If we read or watch murder mysteries, we think we can find out. We might feel better informed when we watch the news that details events we don't understand. Knowledge can be power. Maybe we feel a little empowered by being informed.
HEROES AND HEROINES
Readers and watchers like to root for the good guys and cheer when they win. We want heroes and heroines in our lives who can help us problem solve, protect us and even win our day. Heroes and heroines in these crime dramas might have special skills or...they could be just like us! Maybe we could be a hero or heroine too.
ENTERTAINMENT
Suspense puts us on the edge of our seat. It makes adrenaline flow. It can add excitement and concentrated involvement to either a stressful or a dull day. Murder mysteries help us escape.
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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©2015 Karen Rose Smith
Puzzles. And the fact that good always wins - which it doesn't in real life. I've loved mysteries since my first Nancy Drew at age 7.
ReplyDeleteI read cozier to escape, and I love a good puzzle.
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen! I agree with all your reasons. I love trying to figure out the killer/mystery. Plus, I enjoy cozy mysteries because I can avoid graphic sex and violence, as well as bad language (especially the use of a certain four-letter word, that has become part of too many books).
ReplyDeleteKaren, I have really enjoyed your books and getting to know you as a person on your Facebook group. When I pick up one of your books, I'm now spending time with a friend!
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries because I like to solve the puzzle and see if I can beat the hero or heroine in figuring out the 'who done it' before they can. I love Castle and Sherlock. I love books and shows that are well written and intelligent-something that prods the old grey cells into action. I think mysteries make you also look at things from different perspectives as you dodge all the red herrings thrown your way.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely justice - I agree with you! I have always enjoyed puzzles, like the challenge and feeling good if I can solve it correctly. Maybe the entertainment value - okay, definitely. Enjoy following the characters from one book to another. Great post, Karen! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your reasons. Since I was a little girl ( which was quite some time ago) I always liked to match wits with the detective to see if I can solve it before they do. Which I must confess I usually do. My family does not like to watch mystery movies with me because I usually have it figured out half way through and spoil it for them.
ReplyDeleteSo I read.....
In addition to your ideas with which I agree, I love getting to know the people. Romances are delightful but there is something special about the people I meet in mysteries. They seem more down to earth and real sometimes. I especially love mysteries series so I can follow the characters. The book that started my addiction to reading was a mystery, The Red Trailer Mystery (Trixie Belden, #2)
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