The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I was just making a post for our Birdman buddy read, where I noted I was on page 203, with 120+ pages left to go and I think I've got it all figured out. Personally, if it turns out I've figured it out this early in the game, I'll be really annoyed. Am I the lone stranger here, or is there anyone else here that prefers not being able to figure the who/why until the last minute?

It depends a lot on the book - if I'm enjoying watching the characters as they figure it out, then I don't mind too much, unless they are just stupid. Also if the WHY is more important than just whodunnit. That is usually the author purposely giving the reader big hints though.

If a writer just telegraphs the ending through too obvious clues and hints, expecting to blow your mind with a big reveal at the end - then yes, that's annoying.

I generally try not to think ahead, I like to puzzle things out along with the characters. I prefer not having a clue until oh...80% at least. Then I should have strong suspicions. Then when my guess is right I feel I was clever :)

It depends on the author. If I is someone like Michael Connelly or Deborah Crombie then I am really peeved!

Then I usually look to see if this is their first book. If so, I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope for better in the future.

I don't like to discover too early on.

I don't write mysteries, but suspense fiction. Still, I had several reviewers comment that they couldn't have predicted how the story turned out, while in retrospect it all seems logical.

From a writer perspective, it's often difficult to keep the twists and turns believable. With a lot of mysteries I know that the prime suspect never did the deed, but rather the person the suspect tried to protect or something like that.

I just figure if I invest brain time into a book, the author ought not to make it so easy to figure out so soon. As I often say, if I figure it out early on, it's the kiss of death for that particular author.

It can be disappointing to figure out the plot, but I try not to think too far ahead. It ruins the reading sometimes.

I'm a lot more disappointed when the author doesn't play fair with the reader and solving the puzzle is impossible. I think the author should cleverly plant all the clues needed to solve the mystery in the story as it goes along, rather than withhold some essential piece of information from the reader but give it to the sleuth.

I think it depends on the story, Nancy. If it's well-written, I don't mind if I have figured it out before the end, but at the same time, even if I haven't figured it out, if the ending is sort of out there in left field, that can be irritating. Looking back at my review of Birdman specifically, I noted that I had the gist of it figured out, but there was still enough of a surprise to satisfy me that way too. I guess I'm just trying to say that knowing how it ends is only a part of the satisfaction of reading a good book. Hope you haven't figured out everything in the book.. ;)

Bill wrote: "I think it depends on the story, Nancy. If it's well-written, I don't mind if I have figured it out before the end, but at the same time, even if I haven't figured it out, if the ending is sort of ..."

As it turns out, and I can't say why at the moment, I was right and wrong all at the same time.

I enjoy trying to "outsmart" the author, but I wouldn't want to figure things out before I was well into the story. As an author myself, I try to leave enough hints that the reader will have the same fun trying to outsmart me, but not enough to allow him or her to do it until near the end.

Regards to all,

DRJ

David wrote: "I enjoy trying to "outsmart" the author, but I wouldn't want to figure things out before I was well into the story. As an author myself, I try to leave enough hints that the reader will have the s..."

Exactly!

I agree, too

Skye wrote: "I don't like to discover too early on."

Me neither

Like - Skye
Like - Jannene

So you guys all like to figure it out? I do too, but I recently discovered there are people out there who DON'T try to, just read the story for the story.

This mind-blowing revelation came from my wife... Still learning about each other after a dozen years, I guess!

If I figure out the basics of the plot too early, I feel it's not a well-plotted book. Recently I read Family Pictures, and figured out the basis for the plot very early. Maybe I've just watched too much cheap TV, but I was very disappointed.

Many of the best books have a completely unexpected ending. I really value innovation.

Mark wrote: "So you guys all like to figure it out? I do too, but I recently discovered there are people out there who DON'T try to, just read the story for the story.

This mind-blowing revelation came from ..."

LOL - just when you thought you knew everything, Mark!

Katherine wrote: "If I figure out the basics of the plot too early, I feel it's not a well-plotted book. Recently I read Family Pictures, and figured out the basis for the plot very early. Maybe I'..."

I love a great twist pulling you into the realm of unexpected.

What I love is to figure out how the plot will turn and resolve, then, as I complacently begin to worry about nothing else being revealed, to be caught off guard by a revelation that blows my theory apart--and a savvy author.

Thinking you've figured things out isn't the same as getting it right. I think that a part of me likes to feel I've worked it all out early(ish) on as it makes me feel clever. I think Holly puts is well in the previous post.
Of course, if I had worked it out and it fell into line in exactly the way I anticipated, then I would be disappointed; I can't think of an example where that's been the case (which kind of wipes out that sense of being clever pretty completely).

Nigel wrote: "Thinking you've figured things out isn't the same as getting it right. I think that a part of me likes to feel I've worked it all out early(ish) on as it makes me feel clever. I think Holly puts is..."

Very true. The bottom line is, I do love being outsmarted by an even more clever author.

Once in a while the plot is easy to figure out, but then the author surprises the reader with a twist. Sometimes the twist makes the story. For instance, maybe you've figured out who the bad guy is, but the twist is in what happened to that bad guy after all is said and done.

well for a mystery working it out too early could be dull unless the story revolves round mainly the cat n mouse game. though if book badly written n I have worked it out and the detectives just not getting it, then its just why does the book not end.. and I start to skim

I don't mind figuring it out early. I rather enjoy reading time the end to see if I was correct. More often than not I am.

I'm reading a Peter James novel at the moment 'Dead Like You'. I'm about half way through and think I have figured out who the killer is, but I have a sneaking suspicion there could be more than one. That's the sort of read I like, where you think you have it worked out but you're not sure until much nearer the end.

Peter wrote: "I'm reading a Peter James novel at the moment 'Dead Like You'. I'm about half way through and think I have figured out who the killer is, but I have a sneaking suspicion there could be more than on..."

Yes! Agreed.

I'm fine with solving the mystery early, as long as there's something else in the story to keep me reading, be it great characters or interesting sub-plots and locations. If the big reveal is the author's only trick, then they need to work to protect it right up to the last few turns of the page. I also like the draw of how the Detective solves the case. Solving the mystery early can be like a 'Will they/Won't they' romance story. We all know they will, but the interest is held by how they finally do.

I'd say the key thing is that the author plays fair. We mystery fans are the sharpest readers out there and are extremely well-informed about policing practices, forensic techniques etc. Crafting a mystery where the reader is pushed one way and pulled the other through devilish twists and breakneck turns is all well and good, but it needs to be supported with a satisfactory and realistic (within the fictional world) conclusion.

If I figure it out early, I like there still to be events and plot lines that question my thoughts. As a few people have mentioned, it can be motivating to read to the end to see if you were right, especially if the author throws numerous things at you to make you question that early decision.

Sorry, that dragged on a little!

Sometimes. Unless it is really well written when it carries me along anyway..8:D

I'm one of those people who likes to see where the story goes rather than try to predict what the plot's going to be. However, it annoys me if a plot is too predictable. And I don't like it if I can figure out "whodunit" in a mystery.

Definitely annoys me. If I figure the plot out too early, I feel like the reading experience has been a waste.

Olivia wrote: "I'm one of those people who likes to see where the story goes rather than try to predict what the plot's going to be. However, it annoys me if a plot is too predictable. And I don't like it if I ca..."

:)

Kajal wrote: "Definitely annoys me. If I figure the plot out too early, I feel like the reading experience has been a waste."

I tend not to go back to that author ever again if things are too predictable.

Darryl wrote: "I'm fine with solving the mystery early, as long as there's something else in the story to keep me reading, be it great characters or interesting sub-plots and locations. If the big reveal is the a..."

You are so right - mystery readers have to be pretty astute, and the authors by now ought to know that. I hate when the author throws in a previously-unknown character or throws in a new plot element toward the end - that is definitely a) pretty obvious and b) highly unfair to the reader.