INTRIGUE Plus SUSPENSE Plus MYSTERY

Tightens The Threads

Just yesterday I heard a word I hadn’t heard or seen used for years. The word is Brinkmanship. My definition for it (from the creative writing perspective) is “to bring Readers to the BRINK of solving the mystery, then strategically pulling them away from that answer only to maneuver them onto another path.” When writers hone this skill they produce wonderful adventures that not only challenge our logical thinking abilities but satisfy the soul. Much like the tapestry illustration shown here, the various color hues (characters) and textures (plot/angles) intrigue us and bring us joy.

Agatha Christie is one of the best and most read novelists. She instinctively knew how to weave the threads of Intrigue, Suspense and Mystery into puzzle-patterns creating beautiful whodunits that tantalize us, frustrate us and bring us to the brink of giving up before they allow…