The appeal of mysteries

Last week marked the anniversary of the publication of the first

detective story in 1841. It was Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Murders in the

Rue Morgue,” featuring the Chevalier Dupin, who appeared in five

other stories by Poe.

On a more contemporary note, this week marks the birthday of Sue

Grafton, one of the more recent stars on the mystery scene -- author

of the “A is for Alibi” series, which has now reached “R is for

Ricochet.” Grafton’s series features private eye Kinsey Milhone.

People who don’t read mysteries are often mystified by their

appeal, and it isn’t easy to explain. They appeal to many different

people for many different reasons.

Some like the obvious fun of guessing who-dun-it before the final

chapter. Others get hooked on one character(s), be they police

detective, detective inspector (if you are in the U.K.), private eye

or amateur sleuth, and like a television series, the reader looks

forward to encountering an old friend in yet another adventure.

Because they are often written in series, some people like to read

them as something of a travelogue that has a ripping good yarn

attached to it. For example, Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse

investigates incidents that occur in Oxford; Stuart Kaminsky’s

Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov operates in Moscow, while Elizabeth

Peters’ archeologist/amateur sleuth takes the reader to Egypt in the

‘20s.

Mysteries are also classified by different categories that appeal

to different sensibilities. There are the amateur detectives who

stumble upon an alarming number of dead bodies as they lead “normal”

lives. There are the cozies that are full of charm and an array of

eccentric characters in a small town (think Miss Marple).

Historical mysteries are self-explanatory and cover the historical

spectrum, from Lindsey Davis’ Marcus Didius Falco in ancient Rome to

Bruce Alexander’s Sir John Fielding in 18th century London to Terence

Faherty’s Scott Elliott who lived in 1940s Hollywood. Like the

travelogue aspect of mysteries set in foreign places, the historical

mystery offers insight into the past in pleasurable doses.

There are the more technically oriented series that appeal to the

CSI/forensics hounds. These can feature police procedurals, private

investigators or professional sleuths, such as investigative

reporters, lawyers, medical examiners or psychologists.

Mysteries can be on the light to downright comical side (Janet

Evanovich’s wise-cracking Stephanie Plum), or so seriously written

that they are often referred to as “crossovers” in the trade because

they stand as mysteries and also as just, plain well-written novels

(Ian Rankin’s Scottish D.I. John Rebus).

In recent years, the mystery genre has seen the creation of all

kinds of sub-genres of the form.

Culinary mysteries where foods, and often recipes, are featured

would be an example. There are also series that feature cats, dogs,

ghosts, vampires, robots, bumblers, burglars and assassins.

If you are interested in escaping into this popular genre and

don’t know where to begin, or if you are already a fan and need

advice on finding a new series with the characteristics you love,

just call or visit the reference desk at the library.

Anyone you reach will be happy to assist you in finding just the

bloody crime or baffling mystery that will suit your fancy.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Sara Barnicle. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information on the

Central Library or any of the branch locations, please contact the

Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.