Abrupt endings to mysteries—hope this isn’t a trend.

[raccoon]

Two mysteries, each part of a series, that I’ve read lately ended with a whimper. These were S IS FOR SILENCE, last published of the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton, and SEE DELPHI AND DIE, last published of the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis.

In both of these novels, the books came to an abrupt ending. It’s as if the writer said to herself, “OK, I’ve revealed whodunit, now I’ve fulfilled my obligation to the publisher.” In both books, unanswered questions were just left unanswered.

Worse yet, in SEE DELPHI AND DIE, the ending was sensational—and I thought, ridiculous.

Anybody else noticed this in any other series? I hope not. I’ve noticed dealing with cold cases has become a trend. If this is another, I’ll have to read older series or switch to another genre.

[MethuenProgressive]

1. Two words:

Tony Hillerman

http://www.mysterynet.com/hillerman/

[raccoon]

2. I've read most of his stuff, thanks. He really makes the locale

come alive (and I love the Southwest) and has gotten me interested in the Navajo tribe.

I may have to re-read his stuff. Usually, after a few years, I can't remember whodunit anyway. :-)

And thanks for that link! Looks like a good site.

Edited to add last paragraph.

[Warpy]

3. Translation: "I'm close to the deadline and I've run through

the advance, I've got to wind this sucker up so I can relax."

I imagine all novelists get burned out on a series after the initial glow of success fades.

There are a lot of great writers in that genre who fizzled after the first half dozen books. One author who seems to be maintaining her stride is Janet Evanovich with her numbered series. Tamar Myers also seems to maintain reasonable quality with her Den of Antiquity and culinary myteries. Both authors are hilarious reads as well as good, solid mystery writers.

[raccoon]

5. Janet Evanovich I've read. I enjoy her books too.

I'll give Tamar Myers a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

"I imagine all novelists get burned out on a series after the initial glow of success fades."

Yes, and with some of them, it's very obvious.

[Rowdyboy]

4. Donna Tartt, the talented author of "The Secret History" also wrote

"The Little Friend", a fascinating novel set in rural Mississippi in the early 1970's. After 300 or so pages of one of the best reads of MY ENTIRE LIFE she finished with an ending so unbelievably lame that I threw the book across the room (and I NEVER treat books that way!). She stunned me by basically ending in mid-chapter, with nothing resolved. It was like she got bored with the book and found some new interest, so she decided to end it mid-chapter.

[raccoon]

6. I'd probably have done the same thing.

Reminds me of one book in the "Gordianus the Finder" series by Steven Saylor. In one of them, when the perp was revealed, it was obvious the author had cheated. Yes, cheated, and hadn't been straight AT ALL with the reader.

[XemaSab]

8. That was a truly odd book

The ending was a big :wtf:

[Mist]

7. It seems to me that a couple of Davis' books had sort of abrupt

endings and unsatisfying endings: "One Virgin Too Many," and "A Body in the Bath House" had less than satisfying endings. But I read the Falco novels for the atmosphere and humor; the mysteries are "McGuffins."