Why I’m Drawn to Emotion Over Shock in Crime Fiction
Detective fiction is frequently associated with twist endings, deadly motive, sudden and tragic loss of life, and shocking discoveries. Readers generally anticipate that a detective novel will contain elements of both risk and deception as well as a sense that someone is withholding the truth. For me personally however, the best detective stories are those which elicit an emotional response.
An emotionally charged twist at times can create a reaction (a reader gasping) while other times the emotional impact of a story lingers long after the killer has been identified. The emotions such as grief, guilt, fear, loyalty, betrayal, and heartache are often the aspects of a story that remain with readers.
Shocking moments grab our attention; emotional elements keep us engaged
Surprise moments in detective fiction can certainly grab our attention. There are many ways to create surprising moments in a story. Sudden murders, unknown identities, and unexpected confessions can all generate excitement. Surprise can draw a reader further into the mystery and encourage him/her to read on in order to discover what happens next.
However, a surprising moment alone does not provide sufficient substance.
If a twist is created solely to surprise the reader then it can leave the reader feeling empty. The reader may experience a brief moment of surprise when he/she realizes how something happened or discovers that something is true. However, the reader typically loses interest quickly after this initial moment of surprise. An emotionally charged twist provides depth to the twist. It allows the reader to invest in the characters of the story and become invested in what is happening to these individuals.
The same holds true for betrayal. Betrayal hurts much more deeply if the reader understands the bond that has been broken. Death hurts more when the deceased individual is a flesh-and-blood person. A confession is more impactful when the reader sees the price paid by the person confessing.
Detective fiction focuses on individuals under pressure
I am intrigued by the puzzle aspect of a mystery. Clues, suspects, misdirection, timelines, and secrecy are all factors which add enjoyment to reading detective fiction. However, the greatest mysteries are rarely puzzles only; they are about People under extreme pressure.
Crime develops character. Crime reveals what People are capable of doing when they are fearful, trapped, embarrassed, desperate, or committed to protecting someone they love. The act of investigating a murder does not only uncover evidence. In addition, it uncovers scars.
Therefore, for me, emotional involvement is paramount. Emotional involvement transforms an intriguing puzzle into a human-interest story.
Victims are not just pawns to be used to move the plot along
In some cases, victims in detective novels are used much like plot devices. The Death of the victim initiates an investigation, but little information about who they were or why their lives were important is provided.
I prefer stories where the victim seems realistic. They may not be perfect. They may have flaws and have caused problems for others, had secrets of their own. Nonetheless, they should seem like individuals whose disappearance leaves an impression.
When the victim is perceived as having value, the investigation takes on greater urgency. Rather than being interested only in learning who killed the victim, readers seek justice for a victim who has died.
Emotional connection provides deeper suspects
Emotions also enhance suspects. A suspect who appears merely suspicious is usually uninteresting. A suspect who is experiencing sorrowful feelings toward his victim(s), jealousy toward someone else who loved the victim(s), fear that he could lose his freedom if convicted of the crime, fear that someone close to him could die as a result of revealing one of his secrets, resentment toward someone/something that has wronged him, or afraid that he would be unable to control himself if he told another lie about one of his past actions immediately becomes more interesting.
Not every secret points directly to a murderer. Secrets can demonstrate embarrassment. Other secrets can show sadness and pain. Other secrets can expose guilt, but not guilt regarding the commission of a murder. When emotionally charged crime fiction uses multiple layers and deepens its complexity through layers of emotional depth, readers begin to realize that each individual has a personal life hidden behind the facade they present to the world. Each individual has secrets he prefers to keep hidden. That does not mean he is evil; it means he is human.
Why does Emotion remain with us longer than Shock?
While Shock can be thrilling, Emotion generates attachment to the characters and their experiences. While Shock may pull a reader into a story, emotional connection encourages readers to care about the results of the investigation as well as about the People affected by it.
That's why i prefer crime fiction which emphasizes Emotion over sensationalism. I desire mystery and suspense and even shocks. I also want believable hearts in my characters. I want motivations based on human frailties. I want justice to count because someone's life counted.
For me, the best detective fiction does not ask only "who committed this crime?"
It also asks "who was harmed?" "what was lost?" "what truth was ultimately revealed?"
This type of mystery remains with me.
*would you like to continue reading emotional detective fiction?
Do you enjoy detective fiction characterized by secrets, emotional relationships between characters and their respective personalities, human nature and hidden truths that People attempt to conceal? You may enjoy *open to Death*, the first Sophie Mattis mystery.
Want to Read More Emotion-Driven Mystery?
If you enjoy crime fiction that’s driven by secrets, emotion, human nature, and the quiet truths people try to hide, you might enjoy Open to Death, book one in the DI Rena Hunt series.
