Hey; I’ve been getting into cozy Murder mysteries lately, and I find sometimes I’m confused by all the characters.

The one series I’m reading is British, so the characters have unfamiliar names but their cottages/homes all have names too.

It’s better when the characters have wildly different names, personalities, and jobs. Unfortunately this last book most of the suspects were middle-aged women who own cats and got scammed by the same guy.

So when they go to interview Rita and I’m thinking about Frida, character motivations are muddled in my brain.

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

minimalist_coach t1_je8f89b wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:01 AM

#2,473,191

I love mysteries too and sometimes I'll actually make notes to keep track of characters.

I really want a format for a "murder board" something that will allow me to keep track of all the characters and make notes about the crime and clues.

Michaelbirks t1_je8g1p6 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:09 AM

#2,473,380

Replying to minimalist_coach (#2,473,191)

I'd love a VR/AR app for sticking post-it notes on random surfaces or constructing murder boards.

tomrwentz t1_je8gun9 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:17 AM

#2,473,551

i’ve been reading through agatha christie’s poirot novels. i ended up purchasing a set of blank library cards online and i use them to write down character names / relationships. it’s really helped me keep track of large casts of characters.

GraniteGeekNH t1_jebcq8s wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:48 PM

#2,497,815

Some old mystery novels had a cast of characters list in front. I scorned that silly idea ... until I started using them to keep track of colonel this and major that and which was the vicar's wife and the vicar's sister ...

ReadWriteHikeRepeat t1_jecimfi wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:33 AM

#2,508,095

I agree with you, and as a reader I sometimes make lists to keep track, especially if I'm not going to get through the book quickly.

As a writer, I really try for different names and for reminding the reader who someone is if that person (or dog or business) hasn't appeared in the story for a while.

ItsCoolWhenTheyDoIt t1_jecvayy wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:10 AM

#2,511,670

What is the book name? I’m so invested based on your description of middle-aged women who own cats and were scammed by the same guy.