Okay, so this got a
week delayed due to the post on holiday parties. Sorry!
Urban Fantasy mysteries are categorized as speculative fiction. Speculative fiction, a term created by Robert Heinlein
in 1947, is fiction with supernatural, futuristic, and/or fantastical elements.
You might wonder why we need a term called “speculative fiction” since we have
genres for paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Speculative
fiction is not clearly one or another of these, rather it is a blended
sub-genre.
Urban fantasy mysteries have fewer readers than most of the
other sub-genres, but they are passionate ones! To me, an admittedly naïve
reader of urban fantasy mysteries, I see similarities with graphic novels.
Maybe it is the fantastical. Maybe it is the subject matter which has an Agents
of S.H.I.E.L.D. feel but without a supernatural hero (usually).
Like the other sub-genres, urban fantasy novels owe a debt
to the basic elements of the traditional mystery. Nevertheless, each has its
unique elements as well. So this week, we deconstruct urban fantasy mysteries.
1) The mysteries are a puzzle to solve.
2) All clues are revealed to the reader but obscured with
red herrings and false leads.
3) These mysteries feature a murder (most often) or a crime
of great substance.
4) The sleuth may or may not be a professional.
5) The power of reasoning is trusted to restore order and
solve the puzzle.
6) Violence often takes place “on stage” with varying
degrees of explicit violence or gore described.
7) The murdered person may or may not have been a character in
the mystery before death.
8) The mystery uses plot devices to further the confusion of
clues, suspects, and timelines.
9) The language of sleuth and suspects is closer to
colloquial use and reflects social status.
10) The villain is the intellectual equal of the sleuth.
11) The murder/significant crime occurs near the beginning,
often in the opening pages. Usually there are multiple crimes.
In addition to the 11 steps from traditional mystery, to be
an urban fantasy mystery:
1)
Most are set in contemporary times but they can
be futuristic or historical.
2)
Urban fantasy mysteries contain supernatural
elements and must be set in a city.
3)
Urban fantasy mysteries is set in a real world
modified by fantasy (magic, demons, vampires, shape shifters, mythological beings,
etc.)
4)
Urban fantasy mysteries are often written in
first person for immediacy.
5)
Urban fantasies are often a series.
6)
There are often female protagonists.
7)
There is an element of vigilante law
enforcement.
8)
Often the urban fantasy mystery is written in a
dry, even acerbic sparse tone.
9)
Some urban fantasy mysteries might be considered
contemporary works in a Gothic style.
Urban Fantasy Mysteries
to read:
Steven Loton--Riker-Night
of the Vampire (Vampire Trilogy Book 1)
S.M. Reine--Witch
Hunt: An Urban Fantasy Mystery (Preternatural Affairs Book 1)
Joseph Nassise--The
Heretic: An Urban Fantasy Mystery (Templar Chronicles Book 1)
Great Article
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy! I'm glad you liked it.
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