I stopped typing and looked at what I’d written. Uh-oh. It sounded dark to me. That was not my intention. Was it really dark or was it my imagination? Were each of my seven other cozy mysteries dark too, and I just hadn’t noticed?
By “dark”, I mean, gloomy, dwelling on the negative. I don’t like stories that don’t have any light in them, stories where the author’s state of mind seems to be on the dismal side.
This fourth Ned McNeil moonlight cozy centers around a murder that is fifty years in the past. There’s nothing light and sunny about that. The plot also involves a ruthless woman who is trying to gain custody of a little girl who is dear to Ned and Cade. That, too, is not a happy subject.
But, these are integral parts of the story line. They are necessary, or there’s no story. Aren’t there any bright tones at all? Well, yes, there are. Pat and Jackie’s lives have definitely taken an upbeat turn. Cade is still there, offering support and comfort. Grandy’s coffee shop is a favorite meeting place for Ned and her friends. Miss Ann is a dear friend whose wisdom Ned depends on.
I felt better. A mixture–light and darkness, sunshine and shadow, contrasts. That pretty much describes it. Isn’t that what makes a good picture–the artist’s rendering of darkness to make the lighter subject matter stand out? That’s what I hope to achieve! Yes, the subject of murder is certainly dark, but justice brings light. Just as in real life, we have sunny days and stormy days, so it is in a cozy mystery–dark in places, but always that candle of hope. That’s what makes the difference.
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