What Do you Like and Not Like in a Heroine in a Mystery?
I just finished reading a book which will remain nameless and I didn't like the heroine at all. She was intelligent, nice looking, but seemed absolutely clueless about her own peril.
You've all heard of the heroine they call too dumb to live. You know, the one who knows a killer is on the loose, hears a noise in the basement and goes down there with no weapon nor light--or if she takes a flashlight, the battery dies. There is only one reason a woman would go down in the basement like that would be if her child were down there.
In the book I just read, though this woman was a psychiatrist she didn't seem to know anything about people. She lived in one of the most remote places possible and even when she knew someone was after her, didn't leave. Now this house didn't even have an inside bathroom--so she always went to the bathroom just before locking up at night. Then she left all the lights on (she was afraid of the dark) but had no curtains on her windows. Of course this meant that the person stalking her could see everything she was doing.
Going back to the outside bathroom, which was down a path away from the house, I really expected something bad to happen while she was going there, in there, or on her way back--but it didn't. I can't imagine having a bathroom so far away except when you're tent camping--and I don't do that anymore.
The story itself was plenty exciting, but all the time I was reading, I kept thinking, "What is wrong with this woman?" Yes, she was grieving the death of her husband--but surely that didn't cancel all of her common sense.
I don't mind when a heroine takes chances to save someone, but I want there to be a really good reason to do something that will put her in peril.
I love brave heroines but I want them to be realistic too. In the book I've been reading, the heroine wasn't brave--she just ignored all the warnings, including those from the police. Since she was supposed to be well-educated, I had a hard time believing she'd behave the way she was portrayed.
Of course I've written about heroines who've made mistakes that put them in danger and because the heroines in both my series are in law enforcement at times they have to step out even when they know what they are about to do will be dangerous--but it is part of the job.
So tell me what do you like in a heroine? And what bugs you?
Marilyn
You've all heard of the heroine they call too dumb to live. You know, the one who knows a killer is on the loose, hears a noise in the basement and goes down there with no weapon nor light--or if she takes a flashlight, the battery dies. There is only one reason a woman would go down in the basement like that would be if her child were down there.
In the book I just read, though this woman was a psychiatrist she didn't seem to know anything about people. She lived in one of the most remote places possible and even when she knew someone was after her, didn't leave. Now this house didn't even have an inside bathroom--so she always went to the bathroom just before locking up at night. Then she left all the lights on (she was afraid of the dark) but had no curtains on her windows. Of course this meant that the person stalking her could see everything she was doing.
Going back to the outside bathroom, which was down a path away from the house, I really expected something bad to happen while she was going there, in there, or on her way back--but it didn't. I can't imagine having a bathroom so far away except when you're tent camping--and I don't do that anymore.
The story itself was plenty exciting, but all the time I was reading, I kept thinking, "What is wrong with this woman?" Yes, she was grieving the death of her husband--but surely that didn't cancel all of her common sense.
I don't mind when a heroine takes chances to save someone, but I want there to be a really good reason to do something that will put her in peril.
I love brave heroines but I want them to be realistic too. In the book I've been reading, the heroine wasn't brave--she just ignored all the warnings, including those from the police. Since she was supposed to be well-educated, I had a hard time believing she'd behave the way she was portrayed.
Of course I've written about heroines who've made mistakes that put them in danger and because the heroines in both my series are in law enforcement at times they have to step out even when they know what they are about to do will be dangerous--but it is part of the job.
So tell me what do you like in a heroine? And what bugs you?
Marilyn
Comments
When the author gives her real smarts, I totally enjoy the genre. I'd rather see her use a lead pipe or for once, not go into the basement. She should be fairly smart going into the mystery, if she wants to get out alive.
What is a psychiatrist doing, living in the wilderness? Doesn't she need patients?
With good writing, your hero or heroine can have 3 arms and 3 legs, green skin and no head -- and you can get lost in that person's life. (If you don't believe this, have a read at http://bobswriting.com/bipeds.html ).
Or the person can be a plant that walks around on 8 legs.
:)
Bob