But, while you're standing in line to buy your ticket, you hear a woman who is leaving the theater say to her companion, "I never would've guessed the wife did it."
How do you feel? Did the woman just ruin the movie for you? After all, figuring out whodunnit in a mystery is a big part of its allure. Will you still buy that ticket?
The same situation can apply to buying a book. You go to Amazon, type in the name of the book your friend recommended and you read a few of the reviews. How would you feel if one of the reviewers told you who the killer was? I've seen this happen a couple of times recently and, in my opinion, it's a big no-no!
Thankfully, most readers who review books know better than to spoil the ending for potential readers by giving away the end of a mystery novel and/or revealing the identity of the killer. But, evidently, like the woman in the theater, some people don't stop to think before they talk - or type.
Writers work very hard to produce and promote their novels. We want people to buy our books, not just for monetary reasons (only a few top authors make “that kind” of money), but because we wouldn’t have written the book in the first place if we didn’t feel that we had something important to share.
And, of course, we want readers to review our books because reviews draw attention to them. As with anything else in life, some people will love our book, some will like our book and some will not do either. We’re going to get a wide variety of reviews and we have to learn to take the negative with the positive.
I personally don't believe in writing negative reviews; if I don’t like a book, I don’t review it. That doesn't mean it's not a good book, just that it's not for me. But everyone has their own opinion and they should be allowed to express it, if they choose. However, no one should have the right to give away the ending of a book, thus ruining it for some readers and discouraging others from buying it.
As an author, has this ever happened to you?
As a reader, would you still buy the book if you already knew the ending?
I hate it when someone gives away the ending. Some places tell you not to include a spoiler. You'd think that everybody would know that already. But, you'd be wrong. O maybe they just forget. Thanks for reminding all not to include spoilers.
ReplyDeleteI hate it too, Jim. I have a feeling I'm being optimistic by assuming that people simply aren't thinking when they do it. I've seen some pretty vicious reviews, which makes me wonder if there aren't people out there who take some kind of sick pleasure in "spoiling" a book for potential readers. I honestly hope that's not the case - ever.
DeleteI don't remember that ever happening to me, and I hope it never does. Thanks for calling attention to this problem, Pat. I hope many reviewers get the message.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I had one review recently that basically gave away the identity of the killer. I wasn't happy when I saw it and I did report it to Amazon but, so far, they haven't done anything about it. I know of another author with over thirty published novels who had it happen to her too. Again, Amazon did nothing. I hope it never does happen to you.
DeleteI'm trying to one-up this discussion, but my publisher did it to me. He posted on the back of my contemporary women's fiction "When her daughter is murdered..." I was horrified when I got the ARCs. That little murder happens two thirds of the way through the book. Sigh. I've heard from readers that they didn't like what the cover revealed. Still, they bought and read the book, but I think pleasure would have been enhanced if that reveal hadn't happened.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame, Betsy. I hope it doesn't stop people from buying the book and I really don't think it will. People read the blurbs on the backs of books to see if the book interests them. By the time, they get into reading it, I'm sure they will have forgotten those words.
DeleteIt really stinks when people give up the endings. Some people do it out of spite, others are just clueless. I try to write in such a way the people are surprised with the ending and feel they should tell others to read it so they can experience the same surprise...instead of ruining it. Great blog, as usual.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris. I agree. Those who are clueless, need to "get a clue" and those who do it out of spite ought to "get a life."
DeleteIf a book is supposed to be really good, I'd probably buy it anyway, but I'd be very disappointed that I already know the ending. I agree with you completely!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
Marja,
DeleteI don't think a review giving away the ending would have a lot of impact on an established author's book sales because they already have a following but I do think it could definitely reduce book sales for first-time or relatively new authors. Such a shame!
I hate when someone gives away the ending. But knowing who the killer is wouldn't stop me from buying a mystery I'd been planning to read.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Marilyn! I hope all potential readers feel that way. We can't let the spoil sports win!
DeleteI can't stand people to spoil endings for me. In fact, I never read reviews before I go see a movie, either. I like to start cold and warm myself to the plot, characters, etc,. as I go.
ReplyDeletePeople should watch their words when they review, too. Shame on them when they don't.
I feel the same way, Marta. I don't read reviews before I buy a book for the same reason.
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