What Kind of Mystery is That Anyway??

by Mike Martin, @mike54martin

People often ask me what kind of mysteries are the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. And I stumble and fumble and give them one of a variety of answers. My go-to is that it is a light mystery series, almost cozy, but not quite because I have a professional policeperson as my protagonist, but it’s not really a police procedural. Mostly because I don’t know enough about the actual procedures. So, what kind of mystery is it? Good question.

My research using Mister Google reveals at least 60 different types of mysteries. I won’t list them all, but there’s the egg variety. That is hard-boiled, soft-boiled and sometimes medium-boiled as well. Noir is another popular mystery sub-genre. They are a little tough, both in topic and character. One sub-subgenre is Nordic Noir, which is even a little darker.

Police procedurals are another popular type of mystery. They focus on a team of professionals solving crimes using procedures and techniques often utilized by police. Their sister or brother sub-genre is Forensic, which uses scientific methods to solve crimes, often with a protagonist who is a medical examiner or forensic pathologist.

Then, there are Thrillers and legal-type mysteries as well as mysteries that focus on specific things or activities. That might be Culinary mysteries, Historical mysteries which are set in the past, or Supernatural and Paranormal mysteries. And of course, there is what is called Traditional or classic mysteries, although no one really knows exactly what they are but Agatha Christie is held up as a prime example.

But perhaps the biggest and fastest growing sub-genre of mysteries is the Cozy mystery. These have a number of guidelines that often include an amateur protagonist set in smaller towns or communities and there is no overt sex or gratuitous violence. Think about bloodless crimes and you’ll be on the right track.

That’s not all, not by a long shot. Under the Cozy framework you will find subsets of animals like cats and dogs, books, bookstores and libraries, as well as craft and hobbies. And mystery series set in the American South, like Elizabeth Spann Craig’s, the British Highland or Lowlands or Midlands. Which brings me back to the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, set in Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

Maybe that’s the best answer of all. I write a light, pleasant mystery series set in what I believe is one of the most beautiful parts of the world. You can call it whatever you want, if you feel the need to categorize it. For me, I’m just writing stories that I hope readers will like and enjoy.

If I have confused you even more, I apologize. The bottom line for writers is to write what you like. For readers, it’s the same advice. I hope you will like the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. But if not, there’s sure to be a series and a variety of mystery to suit you and bring you the reading pleasure you seek. Happy reading!

Mike Martin is the author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank, Newfoundland on the easternmost tip of Canada. The latest book is A Change in Plans. Available now from Amazon.