Someone mentioned here a few days ago that he, I think it was
a he, thought that the novella was the most natural length of
a mystery.
I agree. In fact I have been saying this for since I started
to seriously write mysteries about ten years ago. (Before
that I was writing mostly "other stuff.") I think the novella
is the most natural length for a "true mystery," in which you
have a victim, clues, and a number of suspects.
I think that the only way to fit a "true mystery" into a
length of less than 2000 words is to cheat with a
gimmick.
Other kinds of crime stories: ironic stories, follow-the-lead
stories, character stories, surprise ending stories, and just
plain gimmick stoires as above work in the shorter lengths.
But if you try a gimmick story in novel length, it becomes a
traditional "shaggy dog" story. A recent example of that, in
my opinion, is "The Da Vinci Code."
I think that the shortest practical length for a true mystery
is about 7000 words, and even that is cutting it close.
10,000 is more comfortable.
And a question: Since we deal mostly with hard boiled and
noir here--are most hardboiled and noir novels "true
mysteries?"
Happy Holidays all!
Jack Bludis
===== UPDATED 11/18/03 http://JackBludis.com
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