The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Today I'm blogging at Inkspot, the Midnight Ink author blog, about "The Page 69 Test," and I apply it to my own two 2013 book releases. I'd love to know what your opinion is of the test! http://midnightwriters.blogspot.com/2...

Fatal Descent sounds more intriguing to me but both were written very well. The difference is I found the character in the first one more interesting.

I've never tried this test myself because I pick books written by authors I've read before and liked or ones friends have recommended or because the description here on Goodreads or elsewhere makes me think I might like the book. I'll have to try it next time I pick up a book based on the cover blurb.

A little hard to test that on ebooks.

Interesting idea. I'll have to give it a try as I select books at the library. It certainly would give you a good idea of the general writing ability of the author. Lots of effort go into those opening paragraphs but by page 69 you might see more of the real writing.

Thanks, Quillracer, Don, and Donna, for your comments! The whole point of the test, I think, is that by page 69, the novel should be in the thick of the story, past the inciting incident, and no longer in the set-up.

Do you think the test would work equally as well on page 39 or 59? Why?

Maybe. You would be past the opening excitement.

I also use the 50 Page Rule - read at least 50 pages before I give up on a book - for the same reason, can the author hold my attention when we get to the meat of the story.

I, too, use the 50 page rule, Donna. There are too many good books out there to continue to read one that hasn't grabbed you by then.

Interesting that Ian Rankin once said that he always seems to get stuck at page 68 when he's writing the first draft of a novel.

I've just checked page 69 of the recently arrived proof copy of my own novel, and now I'm wondering whether to reformat the whole thing to get a better page 69. ;)

Rob,
If you can make page 69, or any page of your novel, better before it goes to print, do it!

The last word on the page certainly has me wondering what did she discovered, if anything. Am I curious enough to want to keep reading to find out, I don't know.

I would not use The Page 69 Test to determine whether or not to read a book, reading the first 69 pages is more my speed.

There are too many authors who did not take "The Page 69 Test" into consideration when they wrote, which means that if readers chose to do that test, they would miss out on some great books.