Welcome to my newsletter!

"Every Sleuth Isn't Right for Every Case"

Reader,

Did you know one of the biggest mistakes mystery writers make isn't creating the wrong villain?

It isn't choosing the wrong victim.

It isn't even hiding the clues too well.

It's choosing the wrong detective.

When people hear the word mystery, they often think of car chases, explosions, shootouts, or someone racing against time to stop a bomb. Those stories can certainly be exciting, but they're usually thrillers.

A mystery is something different.

At its heart, a mystery is a hidden truth. It's a puzzle. A maze. Something unknown that must be uncovered piece by piece until the whole picture finally comes into focus.

And if you're asking someone to guide readers through that maze, you'd better choose the right guide. That's why one of the most important rules in mystery writing is this:

Fit the sleuth to the crime.

Think about it.

If your story revolves around cybercrime, hacking, cryptocurrency, or digital espionage, then your detective should either understand that industry or have access to someone who does. They don't necessarily have to be a computer genius, but they need a believable way to navigate that environment.

Suppose your mystery centers around drug trafficking or weapons smuggling through a busy seaport. Again, your investigator needs some connection to that world.

Maybe they're law enforcement. Maybe they're a former dockworker. Maybe they're a customs agent or someone who grew up around the waterfront.

And if they’re not of that world, they need the knowledge and perspective that allows them to discover clues naturally.

Imagine a quiet little town where everyone has known everyone else for fifty years. Neighbors grew up together. Families have attended the same churches, schools, and community events for generations.

Then suddenly, something terrible happens. Who investigates?

Perhaps it's someone from that town who understands every relationship, every old rivalry, and every family secret.

Or perhaps it's an outsider. A stranger.

Someone who unintentionally disrupts the comfortable routines simply by asking questions nobody else would dare ask.

Both approaches can work beautifully. The important question isn't Which detective is better?

The important question is:

Which detective is RIGHT for this mystery?

A while back, I introduced a story idea involving a gang of street kids. A dangerous robbery has taken place. Someone they care about has been falsely accused.

• The police aren't helping.
• Their friend is in hiding.
• Now these kids have to find the real criminals before it's too late.

Notice something.

These aren't trained detectives. They're not the Hardy Boys. They don't have any authority, laboratories, or forensic databases.

So how do they solve the mystery?

By being exactly who they are. One kid notices details. Another can talk to almost anyone. A third is daring and takes risks.

Someone else knows the neighborhood inside and out. Another has family connections that provide bits of information nobody else could get.

Individually, they have limitations. Together, they become detectives.

That's where authentic mystery writing begins.

Instead of forcing your characters to become experts overnight, allow their natural strengths, backgrounds, personalities, and relationships to uncover the truth.

Readers believe that.

Better yet, they enjoy watching it happen.

As writers, we're often tempted to start with the detective because they're the character readers spend the most time with. That works.

But there’s another way.

• Understand the crime.
• Know the world it inhabits.
• Decide what kind of hidden truth needs to be uncovered.

Then ask yourself: Who is uniquely equipped to uncover this truth?

When you answer that question honestly, your detective begins to emerge naturally, because they're exactly the right person for this story.

That's when your clues become more believable.

Your investigation becomes more organic.

Your characters become more memorable.

And your mystery becomes much harder to put down.

Mystery Mechanics Takeaway

Before you write another scene, ask yourself these three questions:

• Why is this person investigating the mystery?
• What unique strengths, experiences, or relationships allow them to discover clues others would miss?
• Could someone else solve this mystery just as easily? If so, your detective probably isn't distinctive enough yet.

Remember:

Don't just choose a detective.

Choose the one your mystery deserves.

If you're struggling to figure out who should solve your mystery—or whether you've matched the right sleuth to the right crime—I'd be happy to help. Reach out, and let's build a mystery readers won't forget.

Now … Are you gonna take the case?

Best,

Alex Simmons

Simmons Says. Let's figure out what happens next in your story.

Have any questions?

Here are some Links:

📩 Book a free 15-minute Consultation ​

If you need help telling your stories, Click Below and let me know.