There is an essential need to up the ante in a mystery – your reader
expects it. It's part of what you've promised as a writer of a mystery.
If there’s a murder, is there the threat of a second or a third? Could
the investigator be at risk? Someone near and dear to him or her? If
there isn’t the threat of a murder, could it be that the villain will
“get away” with his or her plan? What effect will that have on the
hero, the investigator or innocent bystanders? You want your readers to
keep turning the pages, wanting to know what's going to happen next…and
you want them to really be cheering on the hero/heroine.
The
author must increase the conflict and tension to have a satisfying
denouement that the reader can believe in and be happy about. We can
have conflict between characters if the investigator and the villain
come face-to-face. Or the villain and another victim. Or the
investigator and authorities, if the detective isn’t law enforcement.
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| How dark are the woods? |
Writers can also increase the tension in a story with
setting and atmosphere. A dark, deserted urban setting is much more
intimidating than a peaceful country trail on a sunny day with dozens of
hikers around. A dwelling with no power versus a homey bed &
breakfast with a grandmotherly owner. A storm (whether wind, rain or
snow) versus the perfect sunny day with puffy clouds. A cute cuddly
kitten is much less tension-inducing than a hungry lion or tiger.
I find it a “fun” part of the process to increase the tension and conflict – maybe because there are so many options.
What makes you keep reading a mystery title?
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