Choosing the Right Niche: Navigating the Mystery Subgenres for Authors
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Choosing the Right Niche: Navigating the Mystery Subgenres for Authors


Choosing the Right Niche: Navigating the Mystery Subgenres for Authors, on The Writer's Cabin

Mystery Fiction and Its Subgenres


Mystery has been one of the most popular fiction genres for generations, offering readers a safe yet thrilling escape into crime and intrigue. And with so many subgenres to choose from, there's a mystery novel out there for every personality type and area of interest.

Today, we are going to explore some of the most-loved mystery subgenres and how to identify the right one for your writing style and target audience.


The allure of mystery fiction is in the solving of puzzles and unraveling secrets that keep readers turning pages until the very end. From cozy whodunits to gritty noir, the mystery subgenres span a wide range of moods, themes, and styles.


By understanding the nuances of each subgenre, you can better decide where your own mystery stories will best fit, who your audience might be, and how to please them.

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Contents:


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What Makes a Mystery?


If you are a writer with a passion for mystery, you're likely already aware of the genre's rich diversity of subgenres. In order to create stories that resonate with your interests and creative vision, it's crucial to develop a deep understanding of each one.


This knowledge is your compass and will assist you in selecting the subgenre that aligns with your writing aspirations and style.


But no matter what you choose, there are a few key elements that set mystery novels apart from others that all subgenres have in common. These are the essential components that make a book a true "mystery."

Key Elements of a Mystery


  1. A Central Puzzle: At the heart of a mystery novel is a puzzle or question that needs to be solved and answered. This could involve a crime, a disappearance, an event, or any set of circumstances that are not immediately clear.

  2. Detective or Investigator: Most mysteries feature a central character (or characters) who are responsible for unraveling the mystery at hand. These people could be professional detectives, amateur sleuths, or just civilians wrapped up in the plot and thrust into the role.

  3. Clues and Red Herrings: A mystery presents readers with clues that are pieces of information or evidence that lead them toward solving the mystery with the investigator. Red herrings, on the other hand, are deliberate misdirections that sow doubt in the reader's mind to make the story more engaging.

  4. Suspense and Tension: Mystery stories all build and maintain a sense of tension and suspense, even if light-hearted and humorous. This keeps readers engaged as they try to solve the puzzle.

  5. Setting and Tone: The setting, tone, and mood of a mystery story play an essential role in directing the reader's attention and creating an atmosphere of suspense.

  6. Motive: The motive behind the mystery is a key element in making the story believable. The reasons behind why characters behave the way they do play a vital role in developing the story and revelations.

  7. Suspects: Mysteries almost always involve a set of suspects, each with their own motives, alibis, and secrets. Readers are encouraged to speculate on which character might be the guilty party.

  8. Revelation: Finally, no mystery novel is complete without the revelation at the end. This is where all the questions are answered, the puzzle is laid out for the reader, and the mystery is solved.


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Mystery Subgenres


Packed with suspense, intrigue, and complex characters, mystery novels are able to capture readers in a tight grip that is hard for other genres to match.


It is a varied and fascinating genre that offers something for everyone. The following list is a guide to the most popular subgenres of mystery in hopes of providing you with a deeper understanding of where your own writing might stand up and stand out.


Cozy Mystery


In a cozy mystery, the gore and violence are kept to a minimum, often taking place "off-stage," where the focus rests on the puzzle-solving aspect of the crime. These novels are often light-hearted and fun, though not always.


For example, a cozy historical mystery from our own roster, No Straight Thing, depicts the dire circumstances experienced by people following the Great Depression. It's a lighter novel but not light-hearted much of the time.


No Straight Thing by F. Nelson Smith

The protagonist in a cozy mystery is frequently an amateur sleuth, solving mysteries with their unique skills and intuition.

Cozy mysteries often take place in small towns or villages, featuring larger-than-life characters with exaggerated personalities. They are fun and usually laced with humor.


Examples of cozy mysteries include:






Hard-Boiled Mystery


Hard-boiled mysteries usually feature tough, cynical detectives who are not afraid to bend the rules in the search for justice. They often have troubled pasts and exhibit a bad attitude toward others.


Plots of these books tend to be gritty and violent, with moral ambiguities and themes that focus on the darker side of society. Hard-boiled mystery is marked by fast-paced action, sharp dialogue, and a no-nonsense approach to solving crimes.

Well-known examples of hard-boiled mystery include:




Police Procedural


The police procedural subgenre of mystery showcases the methodology and procedures used by the police force in solving crimes. A great deal of attention is given to detailed examinations of evidence, interviews with witnesses and suspects, and the pursuit of leads.

The protagonist(s) of these books tend to be law enforcement officers who offer us a glimpse of the challenges and victories associated with the job.


Some examples of police procedural fiction include:




Historical Mystery


Set sometime in the near or distant past, historical mysteries blend historical facts with fictional events, adding rich cultural context to the story. These books attempt to immerse the reader in the sights, sounds, and experiences of the past.


The mysteries unfold against well-researched historical backdrops with historical accuracy, often capturing the political, cultural, and societal reality of living at that time, along with crime and investigation. Investigators employ tools and knowledge available to them at the time to solve the mystery, making it a unique fusion of history and detective work.

Some well-known examples of historical mystery include:




Amateur Sleuth


Often featured in cozy mysteries, the amateur sleuth is not a professional investigator but rather a regular person who becomes embroiled in a mystery. The distinct skills, personal connection, intuition, or even profession (like mystery writer or accountant) enable them to unravel the clues and put together the pieces to solve the crime.


The appeal of the amateur sleuth lies in their relatability, making readers feel like they could uncover the truth themselves. The subgenre offers engaging character-driven stories with a realistic and sometimes a down-to-earth or humorous touch. The success of these books often hinges on a well-written character readers can fall in love with



It is the perfect subgenre for those who want to write mysteries with a personal touch.


Some well-known mysteries featuring amateur sleuths include:






Noir Mystery


Rooted in the tradition of film noir, these books typically feature characters who are flawed, conflicted, and more antihero than hero. Like hard-boiled, and often blending into hard-boiled mystery, the noir subgenre features morally ambiguous and world-weary detectives who must navigate the shadowy, dark areas of life.


These books have atmospheric settings, intricate plots, and an unvarnished view of humanity, usually diving into the bleaker aspects of society.


Some of the best-known noir mysteries include:




Medical Mystery


Medical mysteries center on healthcare, disease, diagnoses, medical malpractice, and forensic pathology. Doctors, nurses, or scientists make up the bulk of primary characters, and the stories tend to adhere to a procedural format.

Medical mystery novels blend scientific expertise with detective work, navigating the human body, laboratory tests, and complex medical cases.

Some examples of the medical mystery subgenre include:




Legal Mystery


Books within the legal mystery category uncover the machinations of the legal system, with lawyers, judges, or other courtroom participants as the lead characters. Plots will hinge on legal battles and maneuverings, often seeking justice for the falsely accused.


Crimes are solved in the courtroom setting in a procedural style that presents evidence for the reader at the same time as for the jury. Legal procedures, courtroom drama, and the presentation of evidence take the stage to provide readers with an in-depth look into the justice system.


Legal mysteries blend suspense, strategy, and intellectual challenge.


Some of the best-known legal mysteries include:




Paranormal Mystery


For those who enjoy writing something with a more supernatural twist, the paranormal mystery subgenre contains books that investigate crimes involving ghosts, witches, or some other fantastical element.

These stories blend traditional conventions of mystery with elements of fantasy or horror. Characters often use their unique connection to the paranormal (like mediumship, "I see dead people") to unravel mysteries.

This makes for stories that are suspenseful but also tinged with the eerie and unexplained.


Some more well-known paranormal mysteries include:




Locked Room Mystery


A subgenre of the classic whodunit, the locked room mystery hinges on an unsolvable crime due to seemingly impossible circumstances. The "locked room" may have now visible entry or exit, making how the crime occurred a baffling conundrum.


Detectives or sleuths must use their wit and deductive reasoning to unravel the mystery and reveal the culprit and method behind the crime. These stories have big twists and use clever misdirections.


To write a unique locked room mystery that does not rely on cliches, a writer must have a skillful grasp of building complex puzzles, creating suspense, and a deep understanding of misdirection and manipulation.


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But if done right, these stories can be captivating and deeply satisfying for readers.


Here are some examples of the locked room subgenre:






Final Words


A writer can't go wrong putting their hat into the mystery ring. The audience is forgiving and high-consuming of a diverse range of topics and styles.

And you, no doubt, will be able to find a wealth of inspiration and creative possibilities within the genre.


By diving head first into the various subgenres of mystery and familiarizing yourself with the works in them, you can discover your distinct voice and style. You will be able to craft your own stories that captivate readers and contribute something new to the market.


Aspiring writers, in particular, can use the guide offered today to navigate the world of mystery, sharpen their storytelling skills, and find the perfect niche to insert themselves into.


Even in a saturated market like mystery, there is always room for more—the quest for the perfect mystery awaits you, with endless secrets to reveal and doors to unlock. Maybe you'll even find a body behind one of them.


And in this world, that's a good thing.

Until you stumble upon a corpse of your own, keep writing.


Are These Mystery Writing Mistakes Sabotaging Your Success?


I have edited a lot of mysteries over the last decade, and I have seen even more come across my desk as a publisher, including some that were immediately thrown into the trash bin.


We love to write about crime and mystery, but there are, unfortunately, a lot of writers out there who are committing worse crimes through their writing. So, I have put together a list of 12 of the worst of these mystery writing infractions so that you can avoid them.


Learn if you're committing these mystery writing mistakes and sabotaging your own success here.



About the Author: Tessa Barron at Bear Hill Books


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