Cozy Mysteries discussion

I'm writing the third installment in my Downward Dog Mysteries Series. The main character witnesses something in the second book that is pretty intense. In fact, it causes her some PTSD-like symptoms in book 3 that are important to her development as a person. Here's my question. How much can I give away from book 2 in book 3? Do I need to talk around it, or can I come out and say what she saw? I'm trying to figure out how to develop the character without spoiling past mysteries....

Hmm. I'm trying to think how other series have handled this. I think they tend to keep it a bit vague. It's hard--each boom needs to be able to stand alone, but the series also develops, and some people will read them out of order. . . So you really don't want to make book 3 a spoiler for book 2.

I'm thinking I've seen a lot of sort of oblique references that allow people who have read the previous book to feel like insiders, but give just enough context that those who haven't done feel left out.

Real helpful, huh? :D

;-) I didn't have this same issue with book 2. Book three really sees the character reevaluating herself as a person based on the ending of book 3. It's going to be great for her character, hard to write in an intelligible way that isn't also a spoiler.

Is the altering event tied to the plot of book 2? If it is, I'd be oblique as possible when referencing those events in book 3, or describe them in a way that doesn't reveal anything too plot specific.

i.e. "after witnessing firsthand a fatal shooting, the MC started having trouble with panic attacks and night terrors"

as opposed to

"after witnessing first hand the police fatally shooting XX, the murderer who was holding her at gun point, the MC started having trouble..."

The altering event is the climax of book two. The narrative of all of my books is in first person. For example:

"What if ____ was my fault?" Or "How can I live with myself if ____?"

Or in dialogue, "Kate, you can't blame yourself for ____."

Tracy wrote: "The altering event is the climax of book two. The narrative of all of my books is in first person. For example:

"What if ____ was my fault?" Or "How can I live with myself if ____?"

Or in dialo..."

It seems to me self reflection is definitely more difficult to generalise, although truly, one would be more apt to say to themselves "what if the shooting was my fault?" - we'd naturally generalise because we already know the details. I'd stay away from the "How can I live with myself if" questions, because I can't imagine a way to include them without massive spoilers (i.e., naming names).

As I've just said in another thread here, spoilers don't bother me overmuch, but I know I'm not in the majority here, so you'll want other feedback. With that disclaimer said, I think the first thing to avoid is naming the killer or giving enough information to the reader that they could figure out the killer before the climax of book 2. If the climax of book 2 is unique or creative enough that mentioning it in book 3 is a spoiler in itself, then avoiding mentioning it is also prudent.

Here's an idea - if you were the MC and had to explain it to your mother - how would you downplay the events enough to make them sound harmless? Of course I understand not everyone's mother is like my own ;) but it might help.

Yes, naming names is the issue I'm dealing with. Plus, something so specific I can't even say it here without adding a spoiler. ;-)

Tracy wrote: "Yes, naming names is the issue I'm dealing with. Plus, something so specific I can't even say it here without adding a spoiler. ;-)"

Yikes. I don't envy you the challenge.

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Yes, naming names is the issue I'm dealing with. Plus, something so specific I can't even say it here without adding a spoiler. ;-)"

Yikes. I don't envy you the challenge."

;-) Will be interesting to see how it ends up. I'll write the first draft revealing all, then cut it back as much as possible in drafts 2 - 30.....

Tracy wrote: "I'm writing the third installment in my Downward Dog Mysteries Series. The main character witnesses something in the second book that is pretty intense. In fact, it causes her some PTSD-like symp..."

For the draft, can you write something generic such as "Kate, you can't blame yourself for what happened." Add to it later once you see how the rest falls into place.

I ran into something similar in book 2 that related to the first in the series. I solved it by having a character say something about bringing a killer to justice. (Can't remember the exact quote but that's close. And I didn't give anything away, so if somebody's reading out of order it won't spoil anything.)

Sorry I can't be more help!

Susan wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I'm writing the third installment in my Downward Dog Mysteries Series. The main character witnesses something in the second book that is pretty intense. In fact, it causes her some ..."

That IS helpful. Thank you! I'm going to try not to overthink it for now, and then fix the issue with beta readers and later drafts. ;-)