I've noticed the last few years what I would almost call a mini-fad for historical mysteries. THey will follow the crime and soliving it elements of classic mystery stories but are seet in the past, sometimes far distant past, and sometiems in exotic locales. I've even seen a few mystery or crime-and-punishment stories set in fantasy or science fiction/futuristic enviornments. So tell us–inquiring minds definitley want to know–what do you think of these mixed genre tales? Like 'em? Hate 'em? Never read one? The jury is still out?
For me, I think it would depend on several aspects. For historical does the period and the crime interest me for some reaslon? Are the characters engaging? DOes the author do a good job in integrating the normal or maybe comfortably familiar aspects of the second genre s/he combines with the mystery?
There is also a long-standing trend, almost a tradition by now, especially in the 'cozy' style of mysteries to set them in a particular milieu or environment–there are cooking mysteries, quilting mysteries, dog show mysteries, 'horsey' mysteries and so on. Do you like or read these or any specific kind or group of them? I really haven;t gone there much thusfar but I do intend to explore at least maybe the horsey ones and the doggie ones since I really do like both kinds of critters and am curious how the author weaves in the special threads of an interst, occupation or hobby with the crime and solving it! Point me at a few, okay?
I know of one group I intend to start soon. They are basically YA tales but I read a lot of 'kid' stuff anyway, LOL. Maybe it is a sign of entering my second childhood! Anyway they are published at Amber Quill and the author is Gay Toltl Kinman. Then there's another group by Sandi Haddad at the same publisher, romantic suspense stories. Both sound really good! www.amberquill.com/ If that sounds like your cuppa, you might check them out!
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