I was elated, still am, to have my debut mystery, Gone Astray, published earlier this month by The Wild Rose Press, Inc. When you query a mystery or any novel, it is necessary to identify your work as belonging to an established genre and sometimes a sub-genre. The classification helps the publisher or agent understand where your work belongs on the market. Like most authors, I wanted to say Gone Astray was a one-off from the average market fare. Naturally, it was unique because I wrote it. But that would have been self-defeating as no one wants to sell a story that doesn’t fit into a predetermined marketing category. After research, I identified my novel as a “traditional mystery.” It wasn’t until later that I discovered that not all book outlets have this category.
In the process of promoting Gone Astray, it has been labeled a cozy, cozy animal mystery, police procedural, crime & detective, crime-adventure, and suspense. I guess any one of these mysteries and subgenre combination works. The one thing consistent is the genre mystery. I got that right, at least.
At first, I was quite miffed at the ever-changing subgenre, but in truth, as long as my novel is read, I am happy. Reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations will smooth out the label confusion.
According to an article written by MasterClass, Nov. 8, 2020, mystery and crime fiction often fall into four separate sub-genres, each with its own characteristics.
Detective novels. These are crime novels that center around a detective (professional, amateur, or retired) investigating a crime or solving a murder case. Detective novels generally start with a mysterious incident or death and unfold as the detective follows leads, investigates suspects, and ultimately solves the case.
Cozy mysteries. These are detective novels that contain no sex, violence, or profanity. In order to solve a case, the detective in a cozy mystery often uses their intellect as opposed to police procedures.
Police procedural. These are mystery novels featuring a protagonist who is a member of the police force.
Caper stories. These are mystery stories told from the criminals’ point of view rather than the detective trying to catch them. They take readers inside the crimes and heists, giving them full access to their motives, tricks, and swindles.
Yup, Gone Astray fits 3 of the 4 sub-genres, and that is without considering Commander, the tabby, who is one of the characters. I guess you will need to read the mystery for yourself and then determine which sub-genre is right.
Wish I had not only Terry’s writing smarts and skills, but also at least a trace of her IT understanding. That would enable me to follow her GONE ASTRAY Great Escapes Book Tour without losing my way on the internet. Take today, for instance. With Terry’s IT know-how, I’d be able to find her “Here’s How It Happened ” character interview scheduled for today. As it happens in real life, though, I keep running into dead-ends, not online interviews with GONE ASTRAY characters. Bummer! pkp