Afterwords - In Detective Fiction - Yea or Nay?

[R. C.]

Unless there is a compelling reason to avoid an afterword, in book two of my Carin Trimble Detective series, I am adding an afterword. Neither book one (55k) or book two (77k) was I able to get to the close I intended.

I feel the afterword will 1) confirm some of the "red herrings" that are not too red, 2) open the real reason there were so many deaths, and 3) give the big reveal about the MC.

Below is what I have thus far... Thoughts?

R.C.

- - - - -

AFTERWORD

The Carin Trimble mystery emerged after many years of fumbling with the detective mystery genre. Initially, the intent was a single novel about the new detective uncovering the corruption and deviance of a small town in rural Minnesota. However, while writing Marble Grove, I realized a second book was needed to complete the story. Alas, Calder Road also proved insufficient in completing Carin’s story.

The hints and “Easter Eggs” within Marble and Calder will become apparent in the third book — not all is as it appears. Under the surface, metaphorically and literally, are lies, deceit, murder and more deviant behavior. I know. How much more deviant can it get, right?

Al and Laura will return. Louie and Kel rise to new levels of suspicion. Carin and Todd have a moment. Maybe the Zumbro clan never got over the town kicking their family’s legacy to the curb. The twins learn from their mother, Xena, where the town's skeletons are hidden.

Look for the third Carin Trimble mystery, Broken Loch, in February 2024.

R.C.

[Crystal]

Agatha Christie did it so you can too. But...

There are two sorts of modern mystery readers. The ones who really want a "fair" mystery and the ones who don't care if the mystery is fair. The ones who want a fair mystery tend to care about their own cleverness in figuring out the puzzle. (Most but not all-- I do not try to figure out mysteries but I want a fair mystery. In fact, I HATE when people try to guess what's happening, and I think this trend of online speculation is legit ruining Television. Not even exaggerating). They don't want to be told where the clues are. They want to figure it out for themselves.

The other group may enjoy the afterwards, but I am inclined to think they just wouldn't care.

I would find it annoying, personally. But if you put the same info in an Author's Note about how delighted you were to include XYZ, I wouldn't mind that. I just don't like the idea of the author telling me what to think about the mystery / what I missed / etc. Don't tell me what to think.

Though, for me, the bigger issue is: why do you need this? I am inclined to think it's because the ending isn't satisfying on its own.

[LilyBLily]

I would skip everything except the third and fourth paragraphs, and not call it an afterword.

Call it something like "Mysteries within Mysteries" or "It's Not Over!" or maybe a simple "Coming soon..."

Just give them a tease and do not solve anything.

Also, include a pre-order sign-up link if you can. February is just around the corner.

Failing that, a newsletter sign-up pitch to alert them when the next book comes out.

Crystal makes good points that it is your sense of incompletion on display and that could annoy some readers.

[PJ Post]

I would shorten the whole thing to...

Look for Carin Trimble's last mystery, Broken Loch, in February 2024.

I think your readers will assume that everything is going to be explained, so there's no real reason to say it.

__


As an aside, we have to be careful with excess humility. I would not saying anything about 'fumbling' around. Most readers will assume you worked tirelessly to be able to craft the stories they enjoy. By diminishing yourself, you diminish them - because they think you're amazing.

We always need to think like our fans when it comes to stuff like this.

[R. C.]

I read the comments and revised the draft to this:

AFTERWORD

Look for the Carin Trimble mystery to continue in Broken Loch - March 2024.

Not all is as it appears. Under the surface, are more lies, deceit, murder and deviant behavior. I know. How much more deviant can it get, right?

Al and Laura will return. Louie and Kel rise to new levels of suspicion. Carin and Todd have a moment. Did the Zumbro clan really get over the town kicking their family’s legacy to the curb. Will the twins learn from their mother where the town's skeletons are hidden?

R.C.

[Post-Crisis D]

This strikes me more as a blurb/teaser for the next book than an afterword.

Maybe use a header of "Forthcoming Books"?  Or "Coming Soon . . ."

[TimothyEllis]

I only have a single MC usually, so I use "XXX will return in .....". That goes after the last chapter, before the author notes.

In one series with different MCs, I used "The Imperium story continues in ...."

I wouldn't do any sort of Afterward at all in this case.

Just inform the reader the characters will return in the next book, and the story continues.

Then get the pre-order for book 2 up before book 1 releases.

[The Bass Bagwhan]

I would still delete the last paragraph of the revised version. Apart from revealing the return of two characters (which I'd cut regardless) all the other questions have supposedly already been posed by your narrative. Simply assuring readers another instalment is coming is all you need.

[Hopscotch]

Might add to this good advice that an "AfterwOrd" usually is meant to promote the author's unique expertise (eg, ex-cop, ex-felon, current private detective) to encourage a mystery reader to buy next in series.