Mystery Genres - Bundaberg Regional Libraries

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authors like Elizabeth George, Edmund Crispin, Colin Dexter and Ngaio Marsh. ... Another example is Colin Cotterill's Dr Siri series, and Tarquin. Hall's Vish Puri  ...
Literature Feature                             

Lib News, v4 #2: May 2013-Oct 2013 http://library.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/heritage/libnews

If Mystery is your passion, then why not explore inside your genre? These days there are so many sub-genres to appeal to all types of readers, from Romantic Suspense to Cosy Mysteries to upcoming authors in Third World crime. Sit back and enjoy as we take a look at the most popular sub-genres around:

Mystery Genres 

Cosy Mysteries

Typified by Agatha Christie and the Golden Age novelists, they are the manor house crime mystery with a cast of characters. Try also M.C. Beaton, Caroline Graham, Carola Dunn or Martha Grimes.

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Amateur Sleuths

From chefs to antique shop owners to gardeners, everyone is a detective. This sub-genre has undergone a huge rise in recent years with amateur sleuths in every occupation tripping over bodies everywhere. Look for Joanne Fluke, Earlene Fowler, Rhys Bowen, Carolyn Hart, Susan Wittig Albert.

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Hard Boiled

Sometimes called Mean Streets, Noir or Private Eye - this sub-genre is about as far from the cosy mysteries as you can get. The Private Investigators in these series not only solve mysteries they confront violence on a regular basis leading to burnout and the cynical attitude towards life.

The main US contribution to the mystery field, try authors like Sue Grafton, Raymond Chandler, Dennis Lehane, Robert Crais and James Ellroy. 

Historical

Murder is murder - even as far back as Ancient Rome! For fans of history, try Victorian, Medieval or Regency Periods, with authors Anne Perry, C.S. Harris, P.C. Doherty, Lindsay Davis, Ariana Franklin, Michael Jecks, Susanna Gregory and Peter Tremayne.

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Romantic Suspense

A huge sub-genre, with best selling authors such as Linda Howard, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood and Elizabeth Lowell and earlier writers Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters. Plots range from serial killers and thrillers to stalkers, with a sub plot of attraction between the main characters.

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Police Procedural

Set in a police department, these mysteries focus on factual police operations. Department politics, law enforcement and police officers are a major part of these mysteries. Try Ed McBain, Michael Connelly, Louise Penny, Ruth Rendell or Ian Rankin.

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Classic Whodunnits

While this genre - the original genre - crosses over with cosy and amateur sleuth sometimes, it is at heart a puzzle with a body, a sleuth/detective and a murderer. Think Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot or Ellery Queen for your style, and check out authors like Elizabeth George, Edmund Crispin, Colin Dexter and Ngaio Marsh.

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Third World Crime

Third World mysteries are a fast-growing sub genre, whose setting and characters are drawn entirely from those cultures. Among the first was H. R. F. Keating's Inspector Ghote series, and Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency featuring Precious Ramotswe and set in Botswana. Another example is Colin Cotterill’s Dr Siri series, and Tarquin Hall’s Vish Puri series.

Whatever your preference, there will be a mystery novel you will enjoy - so many of the genres are crossing over now it is impossible to predict where the next mystery sub-genre will originate. Sue Gammon Bundaberg Regional Libraries References: Mystery Genres, http://www.mysterynet.com/genres/ Rogers, Stephen D, From Cosy to Caper: A guide to Mystery genres, http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/genres.shtml Mystery Subgenres, http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Msubgenres.html