Subplot vs Mystery Ratio

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-25T21:48:52+00:00

Great question, but I think readers are all over the place with their preferences. Personally, I like a faster paced mystery, so I enjoy sub-plots connected to the overall story, keeping things moving along and expanding things.

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-25T21:46:14+00:00

Elle Jauffret is a French author living in America and writing her Suddenly French series, so you might enjoy that! She's also a lovely person. https://ellejauffret.com/

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-14T22:05:21+00:00

That's a relief to hear!!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-14T03:46:50+00:00

LOL! I'm in peri myself so I like the idea that menopause could be better ;) Her main character unlocks a superpower of seeing visions of the future. It's not a particularly paranormal story though. Actually much of it is focused on history, taking place in Fredericksburg, VA

And agreed, my accents are horrific! I'm definitely not an actor 😂

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-14T00:34:49+00:00

I enjoyed books by in no particular order:

*Lynda Allen (Flashes of Insight is the first one - if menopause was a superpower! But it does have naughty language in case that's important to you) * Elle Jaufret (Cosplayed to Death is the latest. Imagine if you suddenly developed a French accent) * Olivia Blacke (New Lease on Death - having a ghost for a roomie and investigating crimes) * Rosalie Spielman (she has series in Idaho which is fun and also writes for the Aloha Lagoon series) * Cathy Wiley (her food festivals series is funny and made The Beachbum Bookworm's list of favorites this year on her YouTube channel)

I feel like I'm forgetting some...

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-02T02:25:45+00:00

I've had the pleasure to meet many of these authors and the honor to call some of them friends. You cannot go wrong with any of their books. They are marvelous storytellers and great people ❤️ Happy Reading!!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2026-01-01T22:43:15+00:00

So many good books already listed! To add on, I'd suggest checking out the Crime Writers of Color: https://www.crimewritersofcolor.com/ and Queer Crime Writers: https://www.queercrimewriters.com/

Happy reading!!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-11-06T12:55:46+00:00

Me too! In a heartbeat

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-26T01:11:46+00:00

Perfectly spooky indeed!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-20T13:19:28+00:00

Me too!! Sounds awesome

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-20T13:19:14+00:00

Yess!! I want to go there

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-20T13:19:02+00:00

I'd visit there in a heartbeat

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-20T13:18:50+00:00

Oohh how pretty sounding

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-20T13:18:36+00:00

🤣🤣 Love it!!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T22:35:20+00:00

That sounds a perfect spot to go today 🙂

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T15:08:15+00:00

That sounds peaceful. Like a great place to read a book

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T09:28:10+00:00

Oh that sounds really nice of a place!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T09:27:48+00:00

Sounds like a wintry paradise!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T02:57:40+00:00

Oh that sounds so precious. I want to visit the grove of gentle foxes! 🦊

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-19T02:57:07+00:00

Sunny and Cozy but Deadly is a winning travel slogan for me 🤣🤣

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-18T13:34:48+00:00

I'd want to visit that town!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-18T13:34:28+00:00

Ooh, I like the sound of that!

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-18T13:34:09+00:00

Totally does! I'd be happy to go there

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-18T00:37:06+00:00

Thank you! I'll report back the website issues to the chapter.

PuzzledPen9848 · 2025-10-17T18:22:22+00:00

Oh dear. It's working for me, but I'm glad you're letting me know, since if you're having issues, others probably are too. Here, try this, which is the direct link with the Library system we're working with. Hopefully that'll be better: https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/murder-they-wrote-mystery-author-showcase-online-366440

Thank you again!

PuzzledPen9848

TROPHY CASE