BellaOnline Forums Books and Music Mystery Books Mystery as Literature

Hi, all...

I'm a mystery writer, and I'm really sorry to realize most readers don't consider mystery as a part of literature. Mystery deals with the same passions, social issues and a mirror of the times in which we live.

Any thoughts on this?

WHO doesn't consider mystery literature???
What else IS it -- music?

Glad to hear you say that, Ice Queen! I posted my query because there isn't a 'chat board' here for Mystery lovers...just 'Literary Fiction' and I assumed MYSTERY wasn't included and almost didn't click on. "Literature" has a different connotation to many readers...thus my question.

Elaine

of course mysteries are literature, in particular, cozies! They're the best and when in a series, where you can really get to know the characters, that's the absolute best in literature!!! Mickie

Whew! Glad to hear your thoughts, Mikki...maybe they'll set up a category for mystery afterall. Series mysteries give a sense of continuity that many people enjoy and look forward to meeting 'old friends' again. Glad to hear you feel the same.

I agree that Mystery is literature. There are some great mystery books that are so well-written, but I think a lot of people only read "mainstream" fiction so they never discover them!

I was reading in a local paper's "Best of Albuquerque" issue about the best writer in New Mexico. He is a mystery writer! They also featured some runners-up, and one other writer wrote mysteries, too. A lot of their mysteries were about New Mexico, which made me excited to read their books.

It's too bad that there isn't a Mystery forum, but feel free to post here about mysteries, because they are certainly included in Literary Fiction! -Anita