Most of you dear readers who’ve puttered around my blog alongside me know I’m a HUGE mystery novel fan. You also know I’m ever in search of the next insightful-twisty-curious read.
So, I’m sure this comes as no surprise that since May is designated as Mystery Month, I’m super jazzed to dive into all things mystery-related that are celebrated this month!
Quick side note: I first began writing this as my May/June newsletter. 😛
Once I realized I had more to say on the topic of mysteries, I turned my musings into this blog post.
Yay for the whodunit and a whole month that honors our mystery storytellers!!
When I began putting together my notes for this article, I tried to figure out when I first became so fascinated with mystery stories. I still can’t put an exact time to my interest. For sure, though, as a child I had been intrigued by the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery novels. I was an avid reader when I was young (some things never change), and I remember loving how to puzzle out the meaning of things, read the trail of clues the author left, and find the solutions to the perplexing problems. Especially before anyone else did.
I think part of my love stemmed from the Nancy Drew stories being penned by someone who shares my first name … a fairly uncommon name back in the day. As a kid, I loved knowing a “famous author Carolyn.” Many years later, I learned Carolyn Keene was the pen name for several very talented authors. I still love all the ND novels, but my heart will always call Carolyn Keene the author.
As I grew older, my Grandma introduced me to the joys of Agatha Christie and also Ellery Queen magazine. In school, I studied the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I’ve been hooked ever since. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the crafty movies of Alfred Hitchcock and all those fabulous nights watching Murder, She Wrote with my mom! Now who doesn’t want to grow up to be an award-winning mystery author?! And crime solver, I might add. Go, J.B. Fletcher!
Beyond all that, along the way I simply have always been curious and have loved solving puzzles, challenging my mind, and figuring out whodunit and why.
Do you remember the game Clue? Of course, it’s one of my favorites to this day. I kick butt every time I play, which sadly is not nearly often enough these days. ;P And while the hub and I watch Hallmark Mystery Movies, I struggle to keep from blurting out the ending, so I don’t ruin the show for him. ;P Actually, he’s getting really good at solving them, too!
As usual, I puttered online before I started writing about Mystery May. I found a couple of cool ideas to help celebrate Mystery Month, beyond the usual reading and watching of books and movies. I noted more than one library is hosting a Murder in the Library Mystery Night for teens and adults to participate in solving a local whodunit. And a group of county libraries in Virginia have different activities and events throughout the entire month! How cool are they?
To my fellow mystery fans, do you have any special activities either planned or that pique your interest?
I have to say, having a Meet and Swap Mystery Novels night sounds fun. And I love the idea of solving an in-person mystery by finding clues or completing a scavenger hunt.
Years ago, my awesome hub got us tickets to a live Mystery Dinner Theater experience, and it was FABULOUS! I had so much fun! I have to be honest and say I didn’t solve that one, but I had such a blast, because part of his treat was for me to be a participant!! OMG, and I didn’t know that to start, but it was so fun! Maybe I was a tad off my game because of that? Hahaha…who knows. I still had a ball.
So, dear reader and writer friends, I wish you all a mysterious, curious, challenging, and enlightening Mystery Month this May. Over the years, I’ve written a few sneaky snippets you might want to check out, from “Outside” and earlier. Short reads you’ll hopefully find tantalizing.
May the lure of the unknown and the thrill of the chase bring you happiness! And if you’ve any cool and unique ideas for celebrating this month, please share them in the comments below. I’m always up for a good mystery swap!
