Popularity of Mystery Novels

Edmund Wilson, noted author and critic wrote that mystery stories fell somewhere between crossword puzzles and smoking. It is clear to say that he did not like mystery stories and he could not understand other people who did like them. Have you ever wondered what the draw to reading mystery novels is?

Detective fiction gives the reader a plot to consider, suspects to study and a conclusion to mull over. In other words, it stimulates your thinking and your powers of imagination. This is perhaps what attracts so many readers to mysteries.

Mystery novels encompass a wide range of stories, from who-done-its, to detective stories, court room drama and elements of the unknown. Each one of these venues gives the reader something different to digest. Mysteries can entail following a detective on his rounds as he finds clues or being in the court room with a prosecutor and defense attorney. Each one presents a totally different perspective on the ultimate ending of the story.

Some aficionados like the thrill of the unknown or cult genre in the novels they read. They like to be scared by things they do not know and cannot understand. Then there is the reader who just likes to be entertained, and a mystery novel is entertaining no matter what subject or outcome it may have.

There are so many fine mystery writers out there today, including Tami Hoag, John Grisham, and Sue Grafton. These writers offer us a wide range of heroes and heroines. Mystery novels are something that we can all enjoy and sink our teeth into.