Guest Post: Janet L. Greger--May You Live in Interesting Times

We’ve all heard the Chinese curse: May you live in interesting times. Although many of us like a calm personal life, I suspect most of us like more excitement in the novels we read. But the problem for authors is: what makes novels, particularly mysteries and thrillers, exciting?

Many authors believe mysteries and thrillers need only a victim, a protagonist, one villain, one investigator (sometimes the protagonist), and a couple colorful sidekicks. They argue that books which include a number of additional characters are confusing. Perhaps these authors are correct. Their books are fast reads and often sell well.

But I think formulaic mysteries are not satisfying or interesting for several reasons. 

·      The end is too predictable. I like mysteries in which I’m not sure of the finale until the end. That’s unlikely if there is only one clear-cut villain. BUT the “red herrings” as well as the real villain need to be well developed, probably somewhat sympathetic, characters.

·      Formulaic stories are not realistic. Life isn’t straight-forward. We all face continual distractions and make decisions based occasionally on misleading or ultimately unrelated information. These details and subplots add color to a novel, provided they don’t overpower the plot.

·      Most problems aren’t solved by a single person in virtual isolation. Detectives work in teams and consult with crime labs and experts in various fields. Thus, it’s hard to imagine a modern mystery solved by a single detective.

I think you’ll find my new mystery/thriller The Flu Is Coming is interesting. It’s based on reality and asks the simple question: What would happen in a small community quarantined to stop the spread of a new deadly flu virus. There is a subplot created when the protagonist, an epidemiologist studying the flu uncovers secrets about the criminal past of several residents in the isolated community. The characters all have good and bad features. The tidbits of science included in the novel are accurate. Why don’t you read The Flu Is Coming?

Paperback version available at: https://www.amazon.com/Flu-Coming-Science-Traveler/dp/0578423251; Ebook version at: https://www.amazon.com/Flu-Coming-Science-Traveler-Book-ebook/dp/B07KX3J37W.

Blurb: In The Flu Is Coming, epidemiologist Sara Almquist tries to stop the Philippine flu from killing half of those in a walled community, while police try to prevent criminals from escaping the quarantined enclave.

Bio: J.L. Greger is a scientist turned novelist. She likes to include tidbits of science in her award-winning thriller/mystery novels: Murder: A Way to Lose, Riddled with Clues, and others. To learn more, visit http://www.jlgreger.com

The dog in the picture is her Japanese Chin Bug. He’s also a character in The Flu Is Coming.