Do you work other genres into your crime fiction? Do you bend the “so-called” rules?
This is one of those questions that's a little tricky for me to answer as a newcomer on the novelist scene. My first book was praised by my publicist for faithfully observing the rules of the cozy mystery genre, which may have prompted me to think a bit more outside-the-box during subsequent projects. In truth, I love genre mashups (shoutout to Sinners fresh off all those Oscar wins), and my two current works-in-progress are much less "rule following" than my first outing.
But, instead of talking about my own work, I thought I'd highlight three books I've read recently that played with genre conventions in an interesting way. This is the sandbox I'm eager to play in as a writer, and these types of books are my favorite to read as well.
MYSTERY + DARK ACADEMIA
If We Were Villains - ML Rio
Imagine if Dead Poets Society ended with a murder (and/or started with one), add in a lot more sexual tension, and make the whole thing as cynical and dryly witty as possible. This book blew me away with its rich texture, its unflinching portrayal of the arrogance of youth, and its fascinating exploration of the ways secrets can eat away at our psyches. These characters would be pleased to hear me describe their saga as downright Shakespearian, and despite the questionable morals of each and every one of them, a part of me still wants to cuddle up with this crew in the common room...thought I might not make it out alive.
MYSTERY + HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year - Ally Carter
My guilty pleasure during the holiday season is watching these predictable made-for-TV cozy Christmas romcoms. (My even guiltier pleasure during the rest of the year is occasionally turning one on to lift my spirits in the off-season.) So, when I saw the premise of this novel I had it on pre-order months before the season started. Two rival authors are invited by a legend in the field for a magical weekend, and it's not long before they have a mystery to solve...together? You'll just have to read this delightful book to find out whodunnit, will-they-or-won't-they, and the true meaning of Christmas.
MYSTERY + GOTHIC ROMANCE (+ BONUS POINTS FOR LGBT)
All Of Us Murderers - KJ Charles
What an absolute treat this book was! It's got all the atmosphere of a Jane Eyre or a Rebecca, along with a juicy mystery that kept me guessing until the end. The two men at the center of the dark and twisty narrative are a perfect match, a couple you root for amidst the gloom and doom that surrounds them. I love period stories that show how queer love and queer lives have been going strong for all of human history, and this was a prime example of a narrative that focuses on queer joy over trauma. This is a hidden gem of a book that I've been recommending far and wide, and I'd read ten more in this particular genre mashup...if only they existed!
What about you? Do you have any genre mashup books you particularly enjoy? Please drop them in the comments, since I'm always looking for something new and fresh to dive into. Maybe they'll inspire me to break more rules in my own work!
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