Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Stephanie Plum, Monk. We just love a good mystery and a charismatic sleuth. But why? What is the appeal of a 'who dunnit? Or a 'how they done it?' What does mystery provide that other genres don't? Personally, I think it has to do with justice. In this wild and unpredictable world where people quite literally get away with murder, is it any wonder we enjoy stories where the bad guys are caught and the righteous prevail? That's why I like to write mysteries. Sure it's going to be bad for the protagonist for a while. Murder and mayhem will occur and things will no doubt go from bad to downright awful, but in the end I have the power to set the world to rights. Evildoers will be caught and punished. The good folks will survive and live to fight another day. Don'tcha wish the real world worked like that?

So why do you read mysteries? And who is your favorite sleuth? I'd love to hear your comments. Dana