Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can’t refuse.
Welcome to the September 27th stop on the blog tour for The Scheme by Amethyst Drake with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.
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Author Guest Post
Pros and Cons of Writing in the Mystery Genre
Writing in the mystery genre is a fun adventure. The challenges and rewards of this genre create an interesting balance. By understanding these elements, we can see why so many people love to write mysteries.
One of the best things about writing mysteries is crafting intricate plots and clever clues. Telling the story is only part of the job. Each word is a building block, carefully placed to engage minds and misdirect attention. Mystery readers want to become sleuths, piecing together the puzzle along with the characters. It’s very rewarding to craft a puzzle that challenges and hooks readers. But the same complexity that makes mysteries engaging can also be overwhelming. Crafting a tight, logical plot requires a lot of time and mental energy. Finding the balance between clues, consistency, and red herrings can be taxing. Every small detail needs to fit together to maintain the story’s integrity, which can be a significant time investment. This is even more true when writing a series.
Another great thing about writing mysteries is exploring complex characters. An investigation often reveals hidden motives and conflict. Characters play a key role in the mystery, and their personal struggles and secrets add depth to the story. Mysteries thrive on the element of surprise. The genre lets you create twists that redefine the story and shock your readers. These surprises aren’t just plot devices—they’re woven into the fabric of the story, creating aha moments that (hopefully) connect with readers.
Despite its many advantages, the mystery genre does come with some risks. If not handled carefully, mysteries can become formulaic and predictable, leading to disengaged readers. The challenge lies in avoiding clichés and stereotypes. It’s a struggle to find the balance between including the tropes we love and making the story fresh and original.
One of the best rewards of writing mysteries is the passionate and loyal readership that the genre attracts. Mystery fans love new challenges and complex stories. Readers’ anticipation and engagement can be a strong motivator. It makes the writing process more fulfilling. But this devotion comes with a set of expectations. Mystery readers often look for certain tropes and formulas, which can sometimes restrict creativity. Readers expect a coherent and satisfying conclusion where every plot thread is tied up neatly. These expectations can be very stressful, especially with complex plots and many characters. Writing an ending that is both surprising and logical is hard. It requires a careful balance and great attention to detail.
Writing mysteries is an incredibly rewarding challenge. It involves a delicate dance between engaging readers and surprising them. A mystery author must balance complex plots, twists, and deep characters. They must meet genre expectations and avoid predictability. The challenges of writing in the mystery genre are also the parts that make the genre fun. And while writers want to satisfy their audience, for many, writing mysteries is also personally fulfilling.
About the Book
The Scheme
Carson Crime Files Book One
by Amethyst Drake
Published 6 September 2024
AGS Wordsmiths
Genre: Mystery
Page Count: 187
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can’t refuse.
Set in Baltimore, 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. For Katherine, this case strikes a personal chord, stirring up haunting memories from her own past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.
Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it’s too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her?
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Excerpt
Lee reached up and felt the top of the door frame. “No key. I guess Ames forgot to leave it.”
“He has his own key. He just said Olivia keeps it up there.” Katherine bent down to flip back the welcome mat. Still no key. She sighed. “Should we see if the manager has a spare?”
“The manager isn’t on site.” Lee slouched against the wall. “If only we knew someone who could pick a lock.”
Katherine rolled her eyes, but smiled in spite of herself. “Breaking and entering could lose me my license.” Lee and Jake liked to tease her about some of her skills, although they always stopped short of mentioning the Espionage Services Agency.
“Sure, sure. But we do have permission to enter. And we’d have to drive to Wilmington to get another key from Mr. Ames…” Lee let his voice trail off and studied his fingernails.
Katherine chuckled and pulled out her pocket knife. “You know I don’t carry picks anymore.” She opened the knife and carefully slid the high carbon stainless steel blade between the door and the striker plate. Finding the latch, she pushed it out of the door jam and opened the door.
“Don’t tell Sammi.”
“Never.” A huge grin spread over Lee’s face.
About the Author
Amethyst Drake is a passionate storyteller. She excels at crafting delightful characters and enjoys developing com-plex relationships among them. Mystery has always been her favorite genre to read, making it a natural choice for her writing. She aims to blend her personal experience with mental health and the moral complexities of intricate interpersonal relationships into engaging novels.
Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perry Mason,” and “Mission: Impossible.”
She also loves hearing from readers!
Website | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads
Giveaway Alert!
The author will award a $25 Amazon GC and a signed book to one randomly drawn winner, a $10 Amazon GC and a signed book to a second randomly drawn winner, and a signed book to a third randomly drawn winner.
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Thank you for having me today. I enjoyed writing this post. Readers – what is your favorite thing about reading mysteries?
This sounds like a great book.
Interesting author information