LUCY BURDETTE: Today is the day that the paperback copy of A POISONOUS PALATE, Key West mystery #14, hits bookshelves. The ebook is also on sale through July 11. (And of course, THE MANGO MURDERS is coming on August 12.) Who knew the series would go this long? Not me!
To celebrate this milestone, I decided to share some thoughts about a topic I wrestle with every time I begin a new book: How to keep this long series fresh. I know that series readers (including me!) like to read about familiar characters and places. This can be a comfortable place to retreat when the world feels so scary and unpredictable. But I don’t want to be bored and I sure don’t want to bore you. I have some ideas about what keeps me reading--the sleuth's stake in the mystery, the characters growing and changing, interesting layers in a familiar setting. Here are some examples...
When beginning a book, I start by thinking about Hayley’s stake in getting mixed up in murder. Since she’s a food critic, not a cop, she has no legitimate reason for crime solving—being nosy isn’t enough. So how do I make sure readers find her believable? In the first book, AN APPETITE FOR MURDER, Hayley was the suspect in a death involving a poisoned key lime pie. She had to poke around or end up in jail. (Obviously, she can't be a suspect in every installment.) In the second book, DEATH IN FOUR COURSES, Hayley finds the victim at an important foodie reception and a dear friend of hers is implicated in the murder. She’s very motivated to help clear his name. Ditto with book four, MURDER WITH GANACHE. Her parents are visiting the island for the first time, along with her stepbrother, who disappears into the spring break crowd. They can’t leave him in trouble, so the chase is on. Each book tackles her involvement in a different way.
I also like to watch my characters grow and change, and I love introducing new facets of Key West in each book. For example, THE KEY LIME CRIME, #10 in the series, takes place at Christmas, a magical time in Key West. I had the most fun introducing Hayley’s new mother-in-law Helen to Key West and Hayley, and having the two of them find a body hidden in a Santa suit. (This idea came from an actual decoration that we spotted on someone’s porch.)
I found inspiration for #12, A DISH TO DIE FOR, when I took a tour of the real Key West Woman’s Club. While there, I was gifted a copy of the second edition of their cookbook. Inside that book, I discovered so many nuggets of history that fired up my imagination. But how would I use this? I decided that Hayley’s mother, Janet, would be hired to cater a murder victim’s memorial service reception at the Woman’s Club, using recipes from their vintage Key West cookbook. Hayley and her octogenarian neighbor, Miss Gloria, sign on to work with her, hoping to cook up some clues by observing the mourners.
With A POISONOUS PALATE, I experimented with several new things—moving the action north on the Keys to Big Pine Key and flashing back to an old murder from the 1970’s that had never been solved.
Red Readers: What keeps you reading a long series, and maybe more important, what makes you stop reading? Do you dislike a series book that moves to a new setting? Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a paperback copy of A POISONOUS PALATE.
When beginning a book, I start by thinking about Hayley’s stake in getting mixed up in murder. Since she’s a food critic, not a cop, she has no legitimate reason for crime solving—being nosy isn’t enough. So how do I make sure readers find her believable? In the first book, AN APPETITE FOR MURDER, Hayley was the suspect in a death involving a poisoned key lime pie. She had to poke around or end up in jail. (Obviously, she can't be a suspect in every installment.) In the second book, DEATH IN FOUR COURSES, Hayley finds the victim at an important foodie reception and a dear friend of hers is implicated in the murder. She’s very motivated to help clear his name. Ditto with book four, MURDER WITH GANACHE. Her parents are visiting the island for the first time, along with her stepbrother, who disappears into the spring break crowd. They can’t leave him in trouble, so the chase is on. Each book tackles her involvement in a different way.
I also like to watch my characters grow and change, and I love introducing new facets of Key West in each book. For example, THE KEY LIME CRIME, #10 in the series, takes place at Christmas, a magical time in Key West. I had the most fun introducing Hayley’s new mother-in-law Helen to Key West and Hayley, and having the two of them find a body hidden in a Santa suit. (This idea came from an actual decoration that we spotted on someone’s porch.)
I found inspiration for #12, A DISH TO DIE FOR, when I took a tour of the real Key West Woman’s Club. While there, I was gifted a copy of the second edition of their cookbook. Inside that book, I discovered so many nuggets of history that fired up my imagination. But how would I use this? I decided that Hayley’s mother, Janet, would be hired to cater a murder victim’s memorial service reception at the Woman’s Club, using recipes from their vintage Key West cookbook. Hayley and her octogenarian neighbor, Miss Gloria, sign on to work with her, hoping to cook up some clues by observing the mourners.
With A POISONOUS PALATE, I experimented with several new things—moving the action north on the Keys to Big Pine Key and flashing back to an old murder from the 1970’s that had never been solved.
By the way, can you guess which book in the series is less popular than others?
If you picked A SCONE OF CONTENTION, you're right. Seems that readers who love a certain setting object to the characters going somewhere else.
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lucy . . . I love Hayley's stories!
ReplyDeleteI think that readers keep reading a series because there's a specialness in discovering something new about characters you've come to care about ; I enjoy seeing how they change over time and through many stories. The only thing that causes me to abandon a series I've enjoyed reading is if the story or the character's actions are significantly "out of line" with what I've come to expect of them and become unbelievable [you know, she/he would NEVER do that!] . . . .
thanks Joan, those are good thoughts!
DeleteI'll be back later today to comment on today's post. I just wanted to say that my comments from yesterday disappeared, and it's the second time in a month it's happened. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI'll poke around Kathy--so annoying!
DeleteI found your comment in the spam filter Kathy and reposted. Anyone else who notices something they wrote goes missing, let us know! We don't always remember to check. xo
DeleteThanks, Lucy.
DeleteHello from Greece, Reds!
ReplyDeleteI love to read series, Roberta! I love to reconnect with familiar characters and continue to read about the progress in their lives. Hayley has married the gruff but handsome man that you introduced us to in the very first book, the very man I hoped she'd end up with! Now, I am hoping that they will have a child before you write the last book in the series. The murders are incidental.
Jenn's series are hilarious and I love her characters, too. I read all of her series. I read both of Rhys's series, but Georgie is one of my very favorite characters and Darcy is irresistible.
I arrived at JRW following Debs. Gemma and Duncan feel real to me. The mysteries are amazing and, being detectives, they are supposed to be solving crimes. I can't imagine ever getting tired of their stories!
Missing you guys but having a great time. I think I gained 5 pounds!
JUDY: I was thinking of you and Irwin when I read about the heatwave in Greece. Stay cool & safe!!
DeleteThanks, Grace. It has been hot, but most of our tours are just a few hours.
DeleteI think of you at every meal, "I should be like Grace and take photos of this." Then just eat it. Stay safe everyone! XXOO
We're so grateful to you for reading all of our books Judy! The trip sounds wonderful--hope you have something great to read as well! travel safely
DeleteYAY! I am glad that I inspired you to take plenty of foodie photos. Enjoy!!
DeleteYou made it to Greece, yay! Enjoy your vacay.
DeleteThe food! The archaeological sites! Swoon!!! But I'm with Grace, stay cool and safe, Judy & Irwin!!
DeleteLUCY/ROBERTA: You know I love reading your Key West series! An exotic location, yummy food and an engaging amateur sleuth and supporting characters whose relationships continue to grow are what keep me reading. I know you recently posted about your trip to France. I may be in the minority but I do hope you find a way to get Hayley to go on a culinary adventure there in a future book!
ReplyDeleteI read for character first, and I am a loyal reader of series where the main protagonist continues to draw me in. That's why I continue to enjoying reading series written by DEBS, JULIA, JENN and RHYS.
But yes, I have stopped reading some long-running series. I have mentioned numerous times about 2 best-selling authors who killed off a series character with no warning. I tried to continue reading the next few books to see how the surviving main character deals with the trauma of losing a spouse but I eventually stopped.
I also stopped reading 2 other long-running series because of the never-ending love triangle. The main character has not grown/changed and the plots also became stale & repetitive.
I stopped reading a series because of what the author did to the daughter of one of the main characters. Faye Kellerman's characters and plots were pretty good, but when she had the newly minted policewoman have an affair with a notorious lothario, then get beaten up and maimed by an evil superior officer, I called it quits.
DeleteJudy, I used to read Faye's series but I lost contact a while ago. I'm not sorry to miss what you've described!
DeleteGrace, your choices make perfect sense to me. Ann Cleeves killed off someone who I won't name. It was a shock but what came after made sense. I will not go back and reread that particular book, but I'll read everything before and after!
DeleteGrace, I did the same thing, stopped reading a series because the author killed off the main character and I really, really hate love triangles and have stopped reading a few book because of it.
DeleteI'm another fan of your Key West mysteries, Lucy. Rather than get tired of your series (and those by Debs, Rhys, Julia, and Jenn), I eagerly await the next book. That's the sign that you are keeping it alive and changing.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote an out-of-setting series book in my Country Store series, with Robbie heading to Santa Barbara for one book. I loved writing it and thought it was a good way to shake things up. SO many fans told me how glad they were to be back in South Lick with the book following Nacho Average Murder! (Don't enter me in the contest - I have the entire series on my shelf.)
thanks so much for the kind words Edith--they mean a lot! So interesting to hear about your Santa Barbara experience. People really do read series for a comfortable setting as well as characters and action. I remember asking both my editor and agent if I could go to Scotland, and both agreed it was ok to try. We all learned something:)
DeleteEDITH: Again, I may be in the minority, but I liked Robbie's foray to Santa Barbara in NACHO AVERAGE MURDER. She traveled there for a legit reason (school reunion). But of course I do prefer the South Lick setting with the whole cast of regular supporting characters.
DeleteI'm glad you liked it, Grace! I never got her to Italy, alas (because I never got myself there, except for a lovers' weekend in Venice in 1980...).
DeleteWell, I stopped reading one favorite series because the author died and there were no more books. I stopped reading another one because I highly suspect someone else is doing the writing now and there were glaring errors. I considered quitting on another one because it started seeming stale, but two or three books later it seemed to be rejuvenated so I have continued on.
ReplyDeleteI have not enjoyed books in a new setting quite as much as the others in a series, but I still think it is a good way to spice things up now and then.
You are a loyal series reader Brenda! thanks for your thoughts.
DeleteI love series for all the reasons given above:characters I'm invested in, settings that draw me back, nothing too dark or graphic. That said, I will follow an author if they take their characters elsewhere for a book, as long as there's a believable reason for them to go to that new place
ReplyDeletethanks Flora, that's good to know!
DeleteI am enjoying your series and A Dish to Die For will be next up! It's fun to visit with Haley and crew, and I loved the introduction of Helen and the gradual reveal of her secrets.
ReplyDeleteI like returning to series, mostly to see what happens next and because I have a certain amount of investment in the characters. Romantic possibilities can also be a draw for me to keep reading. I have drifted away from some series without actually deciding not to read more. Killing off a main character makes me want to stop--both Elizabeth George and Ann Cleeves did that, and although I kept reading, it left a bitter taste, because (as happens in real life), happy ever after was no longer on the table.
There are enough hard things in real life Gillian!
DeleteI enjoy your books, but admit that it was Miss Gloria who drew me to them. It took me a while to ‘enjoy’ Hayley, but I do love her mother, and Lorenzo and Eric.
ReplyDeleteWhat causes me to quit – books that become cookie cutter – yes sometimes there is a point where some series just seem churned out, and honestly there is usually no place left for that series to go. A lot of times the protagonist is better before the children come, with the exception of Debs’ series – her kids I enjoy. If you want to have kids, tie up the series.
Several series I have quit because I was tired of being knocked on the head with political views or too much social commentary in the sense that they are better than me – you can’t walk three miles to put your paper coffee cup in a garbage can while being chased by several bad guys with guns. There is no shame to tying up a series nicely, and moving on to another idea.
That being said – bring on old ladies in sparkly sweats, and Hayley’s mother’s comforting meals – I will be over for the Shepherd’s pie.
So interesting! Yes I agree hurdle #1 is giving your character a reason to put herself in danger. And this is making me remember how I so much preferred Miss Marple in St. Mary Meade. Sleuthing on the Nile? Not so much.
DeleteLOL on the paper cup while being chased Margo. I know that Hayley was a bit annoying earlier in the series. Luckily for all of us, she's grown so much:)
DeleteUnlike Margo I avoid your books where it appears Miss Gloria takes a too prominent part of the story. Many of her escapades are not believable while the rest of your series is excellent. I would prefer if your books became edgier and perhaps a bit more detail in the police procedural side. Those avenues would allow your series to change but also grow in an interesting new direction,
DeleteInteresting, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
DeleteOh dear! I love Miss Gloria and find that it is refreshing to have an older character who is vibrant, active and full of good advice. I think the appeal of the Key West mysteries is that they are cozy mysteries and a darker, edgier, police work would defeat the purpose of this series. Hayley has changed and grown over the "years" but yes the other characters stay true to form.
DeleteCongrats, Lucy. I come back to a series for the characters, mostly. I want to see them grow and change. I will stop reading if the author seems to be writing the same book over and over, or if the character is stuck and won't change. For example, continuous TSTL moments long after she should have learned better.
ReplyDeleteForays to new settings don't bother me as long as there is a good reason for the travel.
thanks Liz. I don't like reading the same stories over and over either
DeleteI am a big fan of the Hayley Snow series. Hayley is a character who has changed (in a good way) so much over time. Its nice to see her grow and blossom over the years. A big draw for me is that you (Lucy) bring the reader onto the island with Hayley. Meaning you include so many of the real locals into your books. The taro card reader, the cat guy, various local restaurant owners, chefs, the police officers, and many other real residents. I feel like I live there. It helps that I have been to Key West which is a fun place.
ReplyDeleteAs far as others ongoing series another favorite of mine is M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin. Before she died, she worked with a writer named R.W. Green who has since written about 3 or 4 new books continuing the series and it seems seemless.
thanks for the kind words! I don't think I've read any MC Beaton--shame on me. Will have to fix that.
DeleteI find that if the characters are excited about going somewhere for business,, vacation, etc. I'm on board as long as the plot is believable. I like seeing characters outside of their regular environment. Gives an opportunity to shine a light on abilities and strengths that might not shine in the home town setting. I agree with Margo about Miss Gloria. She shines and is a safe place for Hayley to stretch and grow. Not sure Hayley would have reached where she is in her development without Miss Gloria to impact her choices and viewpoints. Plus, Miss Gloria needs her as a cheerleader to keep the family from putting her in a home somewhere. They need each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Grace when it comes to killing of characters just to see what you can do about guiding the protagonist through the angst. I think she and I agree on one particular killing that ended my respect for and ability to read further writings by that author. I'm not sure that author realized that the character she killed was really the shining glue for the whole cast of characters. The one island of peace, calm and serenity in a crazed world. I realize that in the "real world" that does indeed happen, but my novels should be a safe place to have one shining, pure and redeeming ight. In a way, Miss Gloria is that light for your Key West books. Yes, she will eventually die of old age, but that is natural and expected, but we can hope that it takes a few more books before she grows a year older! Yep, we readers can be so demanding. Hurry up and help Hayley grow, but don't age Miss Gloria! It is wonder you don't go crazy trying to figure out how to plot such an animal! -- Victoria
Victoria, I love how you talk about characters as real people. Very interesting thought about the shining light in a series. Lots' of times we have no idea about that when starting out, and then people blossom!
DeleteI love the relationship one builds with each character in a series. Seeing their growth as a person and an amateur sleuth helps as well. The introduction of new recurring characters is a bonus. I don't mind if the character leaves their location if only once, but then again, how many murders can happen in a small town and would I continue to live there? What would make me stop a series, as I mentioned above, killing main character, love triangles and if the protagonist is too stupid to live, basically doing things that are not safe (like going to a dark basement alone, when multiple times you've been hurt).
ReplyDeleteOf course I adore all of the Reds series! And I have to wonder why readers don’t think their favorite series characters are so unlike real life people that they would never leave their hometown and have an adventure somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIs part of having a good cozy character that they are absolutely homebound?
I think leaving their little enclave is realistic. There can still be references to the beloved people back home, and they can be home sick, and there’s the old the world is an exciting place but “there’s no place like home” for the ending.
I am the genre outlier here at the Reds, I know that!
Congrats on the new release, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteI guess I mainly follow series because I enjoy the characters. In the hands of truly great authors they become like friends I want to catch up on. Do that along with a strong, independent mystery plot in each one, and you will have me for life!
Reasons I have abandoned series:
- Too much of a cookie-cutter feeling. There have been quite a few cozy mysteries I've enjoyed at the beginning but over time, each new entry felt alike.
- The author mistreating my beloved characters and never allowing them happiness. (I'm looking at you, Elizabeth George!)
- Too much politics or preachiness creeping in
- Ongoing love triangles
Though it rarely causes me to actually leave the series, I am not a fan of crossover books when an author has more than one series. In my experience, one set of characters just never feels quite right when plopped into the mileu of the other set. The late Stuart Woods did a particularly egregious job of this when he put his Holly Barker character into a Stone Barrington book and this heretofore strong, independent, intelligent woman became just another (if smarter than average) bimbo for Barrington to seduce. It made me want to throw the book across the room. But other beloved authors have done it, too, and I've never been very happy with the outcome.
Just finished and loved A Poisonous Palate, and I like that Haley is getting out a little more and driving up US1. Characters that change and grow bring me back, and new situations.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago when I first started reading the Stephanie Plum series, even though it was somewhat formulaic, she and her side kick, Lula, were fun and engaging. But I hated that she often made such ridiculous choices with bail apprehensions and never learned from her mistakes. But the biggest turn off is her constantly sleeping with both her boyfriend Moreli and Ranger.
ReplyDeleteLUCY: Believe it or not, A SCONE OF CONTENTION is my Favorite book in this series BECAUSE it is set in Scotland. I gravitate towards novels set in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I also gravitate towards novels set in Canada and Europe.
ReplyDeleteThere are many ideas out there for your Key West mysteries. Would Hayley know some sign language (if she was in the Girl Scouts or had a childhood friend who was deaf) ? Would Hayley take French lessons so she can read the menu at a French restaurant? Maybe a mystery involving H's tarot friend Leonardo (?). Will we ever meet Gloria's son? Maybe a mystery involving Hemingway's cats? Maybe a mystery involving a Signing Food tour. in Key West ( IRL - there is a lady who leads Food tours in Sign Language in the SF Bay Area) ? There are so many possibilities out there.
Diana, you're hired!
DeleteThank you 😊
DeleteIt hasn’t occurred to me to be bothered by travel in series, maybe because I grew up with Trixie Belden and loved reading about new places in her adventures?
ReplyDeleteCharacter development and relationship development keep me reading a series. I know everyone got tired of Stephanie Plum's triangle but she picked out and married someone in the latest book. Hallelujah! What bugs me is when a romantic relationship has been growing to the point of marriage and then one of the partners is hardly featured in the stories anymore and fades to the background.
ReplyDeleteI stop reading a series when it appears that the author is no longer writing her own material, as happened with M C Beaton. (But, of course, she can't.) There are others, too. Somehow the story just doesn't work the right way. The voice is lost.
ReplyDeleteHi Anon, M.C.Beaton has passed away but she worked very closed with her friend and fellow author R.W. Green while she was still living. They wrote a few Agatha books together and she highly recommended he continue to write in her style. He does a really excellent job imho. I believe there are 3 published Agatha Raisin books he has done and a new one is out this coming fall '25.
DeleteLucy, interesting theory on Scone of Contention being least popular because of the different location. . I felt there were just too many unfamiliar characters… all of Nathan’s family, plus Violet and Bettina … and spent reading time figuring out them not on following the story. But oh, how Violet and Bettina come clear in A Clue in the Crumbs. Fascinating women! “ Clue” is my favorite so far! Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI’m with the many other commenters on character development. I love to get to know the characters and see them develop as people. Debs’ characters are a perfect example as you get to see their first attraction to each other and then how they come together as a couple, then family, etc.
ReplyDeleteI drift away from some series because they get lost in the enormity of my TBR pile. But the series/authors I completely leave are for different reasons. Some get stagnant so are easily forgotten, but others have dramatic changes. The author I liked because he was political (but MY kind of political) suddenly changed “sides” so was gone. The author who just became a bit odd. Her long-standing friends/family who had always been there for the lead character either changed their personalities or were kicked to the curb. In this case, the lead character started acting out of character. Nope, too much drama.
Series regulars leaving their usual domain is fine with me. And unlike Susan above, I like crossovers (or cameo appearances) in cozies. I loved when Jenn had her three series converge in one book. It’s kind of like the Easter eggs in Pixar movies. (Though I probably wouldn’t enjoy it in a serious crime drama.) — Pat S
CONGRATULATIONS, Lucy! This is such a huge achievement! As for settings, I'd like to travel in every book but my editor (wisely so it seems) says no because readers like the original setting and want to live in it. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteGreat character development is what keeps me wanting to continue reading a series. Regarding the setting changing, I don't have a problem with that happening. It can add some fun and excitement to have the main character travel somewhere else. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of readers objecting to an occasional change of location in a series, but now that I do think about it, one of the things that draw me to a series is location, so I can see where it could be a point of contention for some. I don't really mind a trip somewhere in a series, but I prefer the characters I love in the setting I love.
ReplyDeleteLike others, character development is important to me. What I love about your series, Lucy, is that your minor characters are not left stagnant while the main characters grow. They all move forward together. I think you keep your series fresh, too, by finding so many different aspects of Key West history that link to the present and by introducing the different places to eat through Hayley.
Hi Lucy, you mentioned MC Beaton earlier. FYI she has written over 100 books under different names. Her most popular series are Agatha Raisin (over 30) and the Hamish Macbeth series which have both been British tv shows (I believe they aired on PBS in the states.) If you have a chance the Agatha Raisin's books/tv show are a hoot. She reminds me a little of Hayley early on.
ReplyDeleteI simply loved Scone of Contention! How can you not love the Scone Sisters??? Wherever and however Hayley gets involved (especially with Miss Gloria is around), it is always such a treat! As long as the travel makes sense for the character, I enjoy the occasional foray to new locales.
ReplyDeleteI find reading books in a series like a warm blanket on a cold night. They are a comfort. It's like meeting up with old friends.
I do have to agree with Dru Ann on her comment about love triangles, they get old quickly, so am glad Hayley never really got involved there.
Congrats on the new releases and thanks for all the fun hours of reading. I look forward to the next installment with great excitement!
I love reading a series because I care about the characters. I want to know what happens to them.
ReplyDeleteWOW, great topic. As I sit writing the third book in my Deadly Deadlines Mystery series, that is the exact question I was asking myself. I now know to keep my character home in Ridgefield, Connecticut; find ways a murder could impact her so her involvement feels legit; reveal something new about Winter, skip the love triangle and focus on character development. That's a lot of good food for thought.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a love triangle if it doesn't go on too long. I like the sleuth traveling for a book or two, but they need to take some of the supporting cast along. That keeps the atmosphere of the series alive.
ReplyDeleteI've dropped series for killing people off, for being too silly, and for not having a mystery in them anymore. Yes, I love the characters but I like the mystery, too, so don't want to see a group of friends just having fun. There are too many good mysteries to read.
I was one who hated Hayley in the first book and didn't read the series for years. Now I'm up to date and also read your golf and psychology series. Looking forward to the new book.
Great series! I really enjoy reading series because I get to know the people in the books and it's like I get to know them and want to know what's going on in their lives. I rarely stop reading a series, I'm usually waiting for the next book in the series.
ReplyDelete