I think one of the most challenging genres anyone can write in is mystery. As an author, the last thing we want to do is bore the readers with predictable outcomes and in a world where we’re desensitized towards shocking elements, it can be difficult to surprise people.
I applaud authors who can write a mystery effortlessly. Some of us need to create storyboards with meticulous notes and outline every aspect of the story before we can start writing. Then we have those who can jump straight into writing and allow the story to go wherever it wants and somehow it all works out. I’ve tried my hand at mystery with my psychological thriller, Every Waking Dream. While I think it turned out to be satisfactory, I’m sure that if I ever attempt another mystery in the future, I could make it more thrilling. This was one of my books that I jumped straight into with a semblance of an idea and a rough plot outline. However, I think I’ll have to go back and take some notes if I plan on making a sequel. The plot for this thriller was very complex.
So, what makes a good mystery? I think everyone has their preference. Some people don’t mind solving the mystery alongside the writer and having a theory that turns out to be correct. Others want to be surprised up until the very end. Some people appreciate red herrings while others don’t care for them, deeming them irrelevant to the plot. Some people want more hidden objects or secret passageways while others like chase scenes and interrogations where you finally get the suspect to reveal shocking information. I, personally, like a mix of both being an acid Nancy Drew reader and gamer.
Like all great novels, there are a few things you want to take into account as you’re writing. I could sit here and go over character creation, worldbuilding, plot development, and so on, but those things are similar with every story. Instead, let’s go over some concepts that are unique to writing your first mystery novel.
The Mystery
You can’t have a mystery without something happening that needs to be solved. Whether it’s a crime, a haunting, or a hidden treasure, one of the first things you need to establish is why this concerns your protagonist. What’s the backstory? What motivates the protagonist to want to solve this mystery? Are there any personal stakes? Is it their job or are they a curious friend who wants to help?
In Every Waking Dream, the main protagonist has a unique ability called dream telepathy where she can enter the dreams of others. She doesn’t have control over this and finds herself inside the dream of a missing girl. Because of this, she feels obligated to help find her by using the clues in her dreams.
The Stakes
What would happen if the mystery remained unsolved? Would the treasure fall into the wrong hands on the black market? Would the new owners of their renovated Bed and Breakfast lose customers due to the haunting and have to file for bankruptcy? Will someone lose their life? This is how you keep the reader invested. You introduce the stakes. You make them care. If they don’t care about whether the mystery is solved or not, then they’ll most likely put the book down and never pick it back up.
The Twists
Now, remember when I mentioned red herrings? Those come into play here, especially if you’re wanting to keep your readers on their toes. In my opinion, it’s best to let readers have small victories when it comes to their theories, but to also have a few moments that may have them changing them. Red herrings can be suspects, evidence, or anything that might sound plausible when trying to solve the mystery. This misdirects the readers into a sense of comfort with their hypotheses about how the mystery will be solved. That’s when you introduce a twist that reveals the red herring, throwing them off the trail.
Not every writer uses these, and if they do, they use them sparingly because who wants to keep their readers frustrated? However, I do think introducing a couple in the story allow the reader to open their minds to the possibility that not everything is as it seems. It can make the mystery fun!
The Resolution
One thing with mysteries is that people like for them to be solved. And when I say solved, I mean completely solved. This may be my opinion, but I’ve found that people who devour mystery novels want most things to be wrapped up in the final chapters. No stone left unturned is what I say. Leaving a mystery ambiguous can be a drawback. No one likes to waste their time, especially if they’ve just poured over a 300+ page novel with an unsatisfying ending.
The end can be shocking, it can have a twist, and it can be unexpected. However, you better have some answers for all that build-up. The whole point of reading a mystery is to solve the mystery. If you can’t deliver something that explains a lot of what’s been going on the story, then you may want to work on your mystery a little harder.
So, how will you write your mystery?
Author Lauren Eason 