Searching for Clues

There are many types of fiction, but I prefer mysteries more than most. The thrill of collecting clues to solve the mystery holds my interest and excites me as I come closer and closer to solving it. As a writer, I know it’s important to state the mystery right at the beginning of the story. Then, clues placed strategically  throughout the book enlighten readers about who committed the crime. This draws the reader in to the story and gives him or her vested interest in solving the mystery. It would not be an effective mystery if no clues surfaced till the end, nor would it interesting if all of them were at the beginning and none later in the book. For me, the fun of solving the mystery is collecting and analyzing the clues to solve the “puzzle.”

What about you? What is there in a mystery that you like most? As a reader, are you skilled at finding clues in the book? When you finally make your discovery of who you think is the “bad guy,” are you usually correct? As a writer, do you ever have trouble placing clues in your story? I hope you’ll leave a comment. Hopefully, I’ll learn something from you. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to hear from you.