Regina sent me a note saying me the following:
“… I did have an idea the other night for a discussion topic… Do you think that any of today’s present crop of writers will become the icons of mystery authors Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Marjorie Allingham and Conan Doyle are? …”
So, here I am, asking you all to give us your opinions about Regina’s topic. What do you think, will any of our current mystery authors become classic mystery icons for future generations?
Oh, and before I post this, I had better say we should limit “today’s present crop of writers” to people who have currently (or within the last year) published a mystery book. So in cases where you might think: “Oh, Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael mysteries will certainly be read in fifty years.” >>> she wouldn’t actually qualify. Where as, someone who has been putting out wonderful mysteries since the 1960s would qualify since (let’s use the example of the excellent author, Ruth Rendell) she published her last mystery this year.
Thank you, Regina, for this great topic AND thanks to ALL of you for your responses.
P.S. Some time in the past I had an entry where I asked you all to actually name all of the current authors who you thought would become classic authors for future generations to seek out, but this time we should probably not name any authors. This way we can be just as negative as we want! (Yes, every once in a while I have that kind of mind frame!)
Lynn T. says
To be a mystery icon should be hard to obtain as it implies excellence. It shouldn’t be a just good or pretty good author. One would hope it would be an author that could plot and tell an original story. It should be an author whose writing has stood up to the passage of time and can still enthrall her/his readers. That being said I think “Of course, there will be a few authors that will become future icons.” Several current authors come to mind right now that would fit this criteria. They can write an original mystery with good plotting and interesting characters. The icon field should be a narrow field where the best has withstood the test of time.
It is a coincidence that I have recently been thinking about some of the new cozy books. I thought the other day that so many are now the same and so formula driven. It has been a recurring thought over the past several years. It almost seems like some of the cozy mystery field is becoming like the thin romance books that are consumed by many. Not much substance, a quick easy read and a story/plot that is a formula. In other words, a quick read and then forgotten about. This isn’t all bad as sometimes that is what the reader seems to need. With so many of the formula books arriving on the market each month, it seems to me to be watering down or flooding the genre. I know I am getting bored with the formula books and am mixing up my reading right now.(more police procedurals and English mysteries) Where is the originality and the good story? If not originality, at least a well plotted and crafted mystery would be worth while. Originality would be the cherry on top.
Meri says
YES-YES-YES! Lynn I could not agree more.
reginav says
Lynn Your comment is what prompted me to ask Danna that question. I have grown very tired of what I call “Chick Mystery Stories”. They are the “same old,same old”. I too have started to mix different types of books for my reading material or re-read some old favorites.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Meri & Regina, looks like Lynn T. put your thoughts into words!
Donna says
Lynn T, I find myself reading the older writers more and more often, for the very reasons you’ve mentioned. Newly discovered oldies but goodies (thanks to kindle’s re-releases!) are Elizabeth Daly and Charlotte Armstrong. I mention it on this post because in their day they were very popular and well-known, but have since been forgotten. Makes one wonder if the best-known writers of our generation will still be popular in fifty years?
Helen says
Well, Elizabeth George for one. Not entirely cozy, all of them, but some are, certainly. The Beeb liked them well enough to produce the Inspector Lynley series: Playing for the Ashes etc. with a long list following and a new one just out.
Me, I’m just starting out with “The Domino Deaths”, but hope upon hope to keep up with the best.
Elizabeth says
Louise Penny and Deborah Crombie are two authors who come to my mind.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
I think Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels is already an icon and on her way to being recognized for it. Her writing style (Gothic) was quite different from her cozies, so I think in that way she had something new to offer the mystery world. As far as cozies, I think the humor she injected was also new and unique–one of the first to create a chick-lit, cozy, smart main. Her main characters in her cozy works have “real” jobs appropriate and important to their times–and usually a bit ahead of her time.
She also has a large number of books out written over decades.
meg says
Sometimes a cute and formulaic “popcorn” cozy fits the bill, but I agree with Lynn–they get boring after a while. Fortunately there are meatier reads coming out on a regular basis, as well, from both old-timers and more recent authors.
I don’t know if originality is the deciding criteria for iconic authorship so much as perspective and food for thought–and excellent characterization. There are any number of mystery series with a Chief Inspector as the hero, for instance, but there are just a key few who really stay with us after we finish the book.
Diane says
Louise Penny definitely……all books beautifully written and impossible to put down. I love Agatha but in many ways she was very predictable.
Cathy says
I got nothing…my brain is in slow motion today. But….It is interesting to read the replies.
Annette says
some of the authors that I have been reading that have 15-20 books out seems like the last couple are more rhetoric, seems like the same storyline but “the names have been changed to protect the innocent”. within the first couple of chapters you can figure out whodunit. what happened to the “mystery” where you cannot figure out whodunit, till the last chapter and then it is a surprise. there have been some where I read the first few chapters and then the last couple just to verify that I am right! I think a lot of the books/authors now are a “flash in the pan”. you get like 10-15 books then boom they are gone. No ending nothing tied up in a nice package. oh well that is all I got.
Priscilla says
I would like to suggest Alan Bradley author of the Flavia DeLuce books. They are well written and feature a very charming and likeable protagonist. Also, Donna Leon. Again, well written, good stories. In my opinion both of these writers will stand the test of time.
Billie says
Nancy Atherton. Louise Penny. They are written differently, but well. I also like books by Monica Ferris, Dana Stabenow, Martha Grimes and Charles Todd. But don’t you think, if you write books with the same character in each, the books are a little formulaic. Do the publishing companies look for proven sellers or what? As for the cosies, yes some are similar, but I think that is what is wanted (by companies and their readers) I want a book that reads well, the words flow, they show atmosphere, scenery and the characters are interesting. I had thought of another author, but the name just went. I’ll get back with you.
Billie says
I really didn’t talk about what makes an icon. It’s those authors who write well and give you memorable characters and memorable backgrounds. The author describes a character or a place with words in the right place, that paints a picture in your mind. They don’t use words just for the shock value. It gives you something to think about. You can’t wait to pick the book back up. You reread some of the passages. You recommend the author or the book to others. I do recommend the authors above now, but in 50 years will people read them? Good question, but I don’t have a definitive answer and would like to hear others opinions.
Suzanne M says
Who comes to my mind is Carolyn Hart. Not only for the Death on Demand series (my fav) but also because she adds new book series, most recently Bailey Ruth Raeburn series.
Julia says
My vote is for Anne Perry. Since her books are already set in the past, it eliminates the problem of them becoming dated, but her characters are modern enough in their values and sensibilities that the reader can relate to them. Also, her books are not only mysteries but also frequently serve as commentary on politics, social conventions and humanity as a whole.
I think to still be read 50 years after publication, an author has to either write to define or transcend the period in which their books are set, otherwise they risk becoming irrelevant.