Jacqueline Seewald
This week, we have author Jacqueline Seewald with us talking about the advantages and the disadvantages of writing a mystery series versus stand alone novels.
The Mystery Series:
Readers enjoy a
consistency of setting in a series. They like knowing what to expect. The
setting should be one the author is familiar with, whether it be a city he/she
has lived in, a rural community, an exotic place visited, or an historic
location that has been researched in detail. This lends authenticity to the
novel. For instance, in THE BAD WIFE, 4th novel in the Kim Reynolds
mystery series, the novel is set in Central N.J.
where I lived for forty years. Each novel in the series has a different
setting, whether it be the university or an apartment complex, but the town
itself is the same.
Readers also like a
consistency in the main characters. In THE BAD WIFE, Kim Reynolds and homicide
detective Mike Gardner return to solve another set of murders. They are joined
by woman of color, police detective Bert St. Croix. The three main characters
are very different in personality and background but each lends something
unique to the novels.
In mysteries, people are
not as they would appear and so there is an element of disillusionment. I
believe that plot is a crucial factor in the mystery novel or any series. In
the Kim Reynolds series, there are connected murders that need to be solved.
The main characters can become personally involved as in THE BAD WIFE when the
woman Mike believed he’d been divorced from returns to wreak havoc in the lives
of Mike and Kim. When Mike is accused of murder, Kim and Bert work together to
save him and find the real killer.
In regard to
characterization, the protagonists are like real people with their lives
changing and their characters developing. Ideally, in a mystery series the main
characters in the novels are not static but yet remain true to their essential
natures. There are more series mysteries today than ever.
The Stand Alone Mystery:
The big advantage of the
stand alone mystery is that it’s original and unique, a one of a kind book.
Many are in the romantic suspense genre. By this I mean that the romance is so
important that it may overshadow the mystery. However, my novel DEATH LEGACY is
actually a romantic mystery. By this I mean that there is a strong romance
between the two main characters, Michelle Hallam who runs an unusual “consulting
firm” and Daniel Reiner, a NYC psychiatrist who joins forces with his mystery
woman to solve a murder case involving international espionage; however, the
mystery itself is of equal significance. This is also a suspense thriller since
the lives of the main characters/sleuths are in constant jeopardy.
As a reader, which type of mystery do you prefer? Why?
*****
A multiple award-winning
author, Jacqueline has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school
English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media
specialist. Fifteen of her books of fiction have been published to critical
praise including: THE INFERNO COLLECTION, THE DROWNING POOL, THE TRUTH SLEUTH,
DEATH LEGACY and THE THIRD EYE. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and
articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous
anthologies such as THE WRITER, L.A. TIMES, PEDESTAL, SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
MAGAZINE, OVER MY DEAD BODY!, GUMSHOE REVIEW, THE MYSTERY MEGAPACK, LIBRARY
JOURNAL, and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.
*****
The 4th novel in the Kim Reynolds mystery series, THE BAD WIFE, was
published by Perfect Crime Books and is currently available both in print and
as an e-book from Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J6PCKVW
.jpg)
Jacqueline Seewald’s novel DEATH LEGACY, critically acclaimed by BOOKLIST and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY among others, is still available in print from Five Star/Gale/Cengage in hardcover and Thorndike Press hardcover large print. The Harlequin Worldwide Mystery paperback edition is sold out and is no longer available.
However, a new e-book edition of DEATH LEGACY has just been published
by The Novel Fox. You can check it out on Amazon:
Also available from Kobo, Apple,
or Google.
This romantic mystery suspense thriller received excellent reviews in hardcover edition from Publishers Weekly and Booklist among others. The Harlequin Worldwide Mystery paperback edition sold out in just a few months. To read a free partial of the novel, go to:
http://www.thenovelfox.com/death-legacy
Jacqueline is giving away a paper copy of Death Legacy to one lucky person (US readers only) who leaves a comment.
And the winner is Kim Herron! Congratulations!
This romantic mystery suspense thriller received excellent reviews in hardcover edition from Publishers Weekly and Booklist among others. The Harlequin Worldwide Mystery paperback edition sold out in just a few months. To read a free partial of the novel, go to:
http://www.thenovelfox.com/death-legacy
Jacqueline is giving away a paper copy of Death Legacy to one lucky person (US readers only) who leaves a comment.
And the winner is Kim Herron! Congratulations!
Welcome, Jacqueline!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Pat,
DeleteThanks so much for inviting me today!
Hi Pat and Jacqueline! Great discussion of the two types. I used to love series, but the older I get, I find I'm reading more stand-alones. I'm not sure why, except maybe I haven't found new series that I like as well as some of the older ones? Anyway, I really loved THE BAD WIFE and look forward to reading the second one in that series. I like how you mixed the mystery/suspense/romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bobbi,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed THE BAD WIFE. I hope you will read DEATH LEGACY as well.
Very interesting post. I like reading series, and I like writing stand-alones. (or a trilogy at most!) Go figure...
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Hi, Madeline,
DeleteI think it's easier to write stand-alone than series if you want the series to have some depth.
As a reader it really doesn't matter to me whether a novel is part of a series or a standalone. However, I grew up on series such as Agatha Christie's Poirot and Miss Marple and Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn to mention a few. I simply love to read mysteries.
ReplyDeleteHi, Palmaltas,
DeleteI also enjoyed reading the classic mysteries. Christie's are still great reads.
It doesn't matter if its a series or a stand alone novel. I just love a good mystery!
ReplyDeleteIn a good series, each novel is still unique. But the main characters reappear. Of course, they should change just as real people do with time.
DeleteOh, I'd love a copy of Death Legacy. As you know, I read and reviewed The Bad Wife because I liked it so much. Like Kim, I don't care if a novel is part of a series or a stand alone. Each book has to stand (pun intended) on it's own.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jan,
DeleteI very much appreciated your review of The Bad Wife. I do agree that stand alone or series novel, each novel must be complete and satisfying.
Nice delineation, Jacqueline. I write a mystery series (with a second potential series started), but as many of the other comments say, I'll read either series or stand-alone as long as it's good!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cyndi,
DeleteNice to meet you! I am working on a new series as well.
Enjoyed the post - I like series and stand-alones...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christa. I like both too.
DeleteI enjoy stand-alones, but I've found that with series I finish a book, put it down and think to myself that I'd really like to read and learn more about the same characters in another book. Terrific post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Marja. If a series is good, I want to read more of the books. We become involved with the characters.
DeleteI am always looking for new authors to read. You write the kinds of books I enjoy reading.
ReplyDeletejwisley8@me.com
Thank you, Joye. I do hope you enjoy my novels.
ReplyDeleteHI Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your comments on series and stand alone mysteries. I have never had you as a guest on The Authors' Blog. If you are interested in doing a guest blog in 2015, drop me a note at: jim@jamesrcallan.com.
And Pat, thanks. You always bring us interesting guests.
jim
Thank you, James.
DeleteGreat info!
ReplyDeleteThanks, D'Ann. I appreciate you reading the blog and commenting.
DeleteI'm an equal opportunity reader. I like them both!
ReplyDeleteHi, Molly,
ReplyDeleteI know you've successfully written both series and stand alone.
Jacquie: How do you so consistently address what is relevant to me? I am working now on the 3rd cozy/Gothic in my Overhome Series. As a reader, I love series and make no effort to read them in order--thus stand-alone is paramount. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Series novels need to stand up individually as well as part of a group.
I love series, and returning characters, but I'll never complain when the end of a book is satisfying by itself.
ReplyDeleteIn a mystery series the main thing is that the mystery--usually murder(s)--gets solved. Relationship issues and personal problems are usually open-ended. The stand alone satisfies both. I didn't leave THE BAD WIFE open-ended. It's the 4th novel in the series and may well be the final one. It will all depend on reader input.
DeleteIf I fall in love with a protagonist, then I really want to see more of her or him, so I enjoy a series although I read stand alones if they have a compelling plot line and distinctive characters. I think I expect more complicated plots in a stand alone.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lesley,
DeleteI agree that the stand alone must be more compelling. The big draw with a successful series is that the main character(s) appeal to readers.
Stand alone
ReplyDeleteThanks for voicing your preference, Deb.
ReplyDeleteIf a series includes one central character and I like that character, I'll continue reading the series. I also enjoy stand alones. Actually, I enjoy any good book, and characterization is the most important part for me.
ReplyDeleteHi, Morgan,
ReplyDeleteYou've nailed the most important component in any series--a main character to whom readers can relate. It makes all the difference.