Let’s talk about our favourite and least favourite tropes from the mystery genre!
Romance subplots are allowed too!
What intrigues you in a mystery story? What bugs you? Let’s address and discuss our takes on it all!
Side note: I’m writing a mystery story here on Episode called Quicksand.
bump!!
& i like when the MC hits a dead end- obviously the mystery isn’t going to be solved right away, and i like to really feel the stress that the MC is going through when they’ve hit a dead end in there investigation- OR i want to feel there excitement when they do find a huge break in there investigation!!
these two videos are really good!! writing a mystery story myself :))
I have this weird thing when I watch murder mysteries (alright, so mostly on the Hallmark Channel) when the characters don’t seem to be showing enough grief because someone has died. I don’t mean that the grief should be the focus if it does not contribute completely to the overall plot, but it would be interesting to show it more so than with everyone just talking melancholically/fondly about the person. There is crying, yes, but the people who investigate (going to use Hallmark protagonists who aren’t the detective, as the detective is the main LI) never seem to be in an extended state of shock. Like, they’ll be surprised that someone’s dead, but when asked if they’re ok, they’re like, “Yeah, I’m fine.” NO, Cheryl, Diggory just got STABBED, and you’re not majorly shaken up about it? doubt.
what bugs me are plot holes. and i know that it’s not the authors fault, sometimes they simply forget or need to overwrite something to make space for a bigger and better plot. but it still gets me since i’m a very observant person.
to me, it makes it less fun to read and more fake/forced.
tbh, i like it when writers of tv shows purposely doesn’t make the actor cry. it’s more fun for me to try and guess how that person is about to betray us all💀
i suppose i just love the idea of my favorite characters turning evil. and yes, i am pointing out hope mikaelson even though legacies isn’t a mystery show🥴
@marcosimp omg yes! I so totally get that! That moment of everything breaking down to build up into breakthrough is everything!
Thanks for the links, I’ll check then out! Is your story out yet?
@CovfefeBoss yes! I understand what you mean. Sometimes characters don’t grieve and dive into the investigation directly. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s bugged by it.
The last line ended me, haha.
@iDiOt_SaNdWhIcH I could not agree more!! I recently finished a mystery story, and it had so many unanswered questions, so many plot holes, it bugged me for days!
And yes, it is kind of enticing how suddenly a good character turns evil. It makes you question all of their actions leading upto that point and haha, you just inspired me!!
i love the kind of twist where because we’re viewing everything through the narrator’s eyes, we’re subsequently biased because of their subconscious bias on all of the story’s events and so their own emotions get in the way of their investigation … does that make sense ? so like even if all the evidence is pointing to it from the beginning , if the guilty party is someone they feel affectionately towards they’ll just subconsciously deny it and because we’re seeing their thought process we’ll just assume that they’re giving us the facts when actually they’re not even being entirely honest with themselves. i just find it very interesting that when you have a personal/emotional tie to the situation it puts an entirely new spin on it (which gives the opportunity for a much more interesting character arc imo)
Omg yes! I totally know what you mean and it’s a really good arc, I agree! Especially the moment when they’re forced to accept it and look at the facts, it makes for a very very good scene, if directed appropriately! Thank you for sharing! 