Mystery Categories
Nowadays, there are many categories and subcategories for mystery novels. Classifications vary depending on the source of the information. Listed below, I have compiled definitions for each (though categories are always changing and expanding especially since trends ebb and flow).
Cozy-The protagonist is an amateur sleuth; murder and sex happen off the page; light, sometimes humorous with heavy character development. Think Jenn McKinlay, E.J. Copperman, J.J. Cook, Jennifer Oberth & Ella Barrick.
Thriller-These stories typically start off with a bang--high stakes and the threat of constant danger keep the pace fast-moving throughout the entire book. It's usually a frantic race against time (that old ticking clock cliche) for the protagonist to defeat the threat. (The plot may or may not include a murder.) Think James Bond & Lee Child.
Classsic Whodunit-The crime is typically a murder and is told from a detective's point of view. All the clues to solve the murder are spread throughout the story as the author must play fair with the reader. Think Agatha Christie & Rex Stout.
Police Procedural-The protagonist is a law enforcement agent. The focus is on the mystery so character development is not as heavy. Factual police operations should be followed. Law enforcement is a team effort, a well-oiled machine including office politics. You'd better know your stuff! Think Ed McBain & Julie Smith.
Historical-Setting your mystery in the past (near or far) will make the novel fall under this category. Not only do you have to plot your mystery, but you also need to do lots of research on the time period you've picked. Think Victoria Thompson, Susanna Calkins & Anne Perry.
Supernatural-Murder plots with supernatural elements. Think Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher & Leigh Perry.
Private Eye-The detective (almost always licensed) operates on the fringes of the law. Typically there is no love lost between the detective and the cops. These stories usually fall in the hard-boiled category. Think Robert B. Parker & Sara Paretsky.
Noir- Okay, a dame with gams to kill for walks into the private dick's office and hires him. Lots of bottom-drawer booze, trench coats and neon lights. Think Raymond Chandler & Dashiell Hammett.
Courtroom-The action is predominately set in the courtroom with a defense lawyer protagonist determined to prove his/her client's innocence by finding the guilty party. Think Erle Stanley Gardner, Scott Turow & David Housewright.
Romantic Suspense-The murder is just a vehicle for two characters to romantically connect. Yes, there's murder, but love conquers all in the end. Think Nora Roberts.
Medical- Obviously the action centers around a medical theme-either an outbreak of some contagion or the illegal use of medical technology. The protagonist can be a doctor or nurse or a patient of relative of the victim. Think Robin Cook.
Heists & Capers--The crime is the focal point of the story. Detailed planning and execution drive the characters. In a heist, the characters are often criminals and more often than not, they get caught. A caper leans toward light-heartedness and comedy, where the characters share a noble goal and they usually get away with their crime. Think Donald Westlake & Michael Crichton.
True Crime—It’s all in the name. Obviously the books highlight a real-life murder case. Think ‘In Cold Blood’ & ‘Helter Skelter’
Add
Horror, Locked Room mysteries, Howdunit, Espionage, Hard-boiled, Soft-boiled, Women
in Peril… It’s a never ending list of categories (continually changing and
evolving) which can go on and on and on…
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