Reviews

‘A marvellous entry in this excellent series, one of those books that  you have to keep reading but hate to finish. Highly recommended.’ [Stage Fright]

- MYSTERY WOMEN

How to play crime fiction bingo

Posted on Nov 3, 2014 in crime fiction bingo | 2 Comments

Award yourself a point for each cliché spotted.

1. The protagonist is separated/divorced/widowed/has just emerged from a toxic relationship.

2. Their new love interest turns out to be the villain or winds up dead or possibly both.

3. They had a traumatic childhood (abusive father, alcoholic mother, or whatever).

4. They drink too much (regularly or a single binge: either is fine).

5. They have a difficult relationship with a child or sibling.

6. They screwed up their last case and must redeem themselves.

7. One of their subordinates is secretly undermining them.

8. Their superior is threatening to take them off the case.

9. Someone who is about to give them vital information is found dead.

10. They confront the villain without waiting for back-up (or dialling 999).

If you read a novel (or watch a TV programme) which contains all ten – and it does happen – award yourself double points.  And for writers, while it’s possible to write an excellent novel containing some or even most of these elements, it might be best not to throw the whole lot in.

2 Comments

  1. moira @ Clothes in Books
    November 4, 2014

    Great, Christine, really funny – I’m trying to avoid books like that these days…

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      November 5, 2014

      Glad you enjoyed it, Moira. It was inspired by a book I read last week by a popular writer whose name I won’t mention. It scored 9 out of 10!

      Reply

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