I don’t think of myself as a series
reader, let alone a series writer. I tend to prefer the stand alone novel,
starting fresh with every new story: new premise, setting, characters.
In spite of this, I have followed
SaraParetsky’s private eye character, V.I. Warshawski, in many of her
adventures. And I have loved following Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector
Gamache in his quest to solve murders in Three Pines. Lately, I’ve been reading
everything of Charles Todd’s that I can get my hands on, especially his
Inspector Rutledge series. And I’ve certainly enjoyed the series penned by my
NYUS colleagues.
Back in the day, I used to watch Jessica
Fletcher solve murder after murder in Cabot Cove. Since then, I’ve followed the
various CSI shows, the DCI Banks, the Midsomer Murders, the Poirots…
And then I found myself writing not
one, but two series: the Mendenhall Mysteries and the A’lle Chronicles.
So really, with all these series, how can
I say I don’t like them? Maybe it’s because I get tired of the same quirks that
originally charmed me. Or maybe there isn’t enough growth in the characters
from book to book. Or maybe I just get bored. I’ve lost interest in V.I., and
the last Inspector Gamache story made me question my devotion. And frankly,
Rutledge does way too much driving around in his little roadster. How can I
avoid the same pitfalls in the series I’m writing?
I can’t speak for other writers, but I’ve
discovered that writing a series can be challenging. Just keeping track of the
recurring details like a character’s eye colour, type of car he or she drives, or
admitted likes and dislikes within one story is hard enough. Trying to remember
from one book to another while growing my characters, now that can be daunting.
Tables become involved. Charts, even. You have to be organized.
Maybe I have a short attention span as a
reader, and not so much as a writer. Maybe I’m fickle in my reading, or just
can’t commit. Or maybe I just haven’t found the right series. What are your
favourite mystery series? And what is it about them that keeps you coming back?
