Why Mysteries Matter

By Rose Kerr

I got hooked on reading mysteries early. My dad was a sea captain on a cargo ship and his ports of call were along the eastern seaboard of the United States. I’d give him a list of books I wanted, and he’d scour the bookstores for me. He’d come home with Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys books. The characters were kids a little older than me, and the mystery was something that had to do with family or friends.
 
Soon enough, I moved on to Agatha Christie, followed by Carolyn Hart and Sue Grafton. Those were books that made me stop and say, “I want to do this one day”.
 
Why did I read mysteries so much?
 
There was a puzzle to be solved. Often, there was a murder. And figuring out who did it kept me turning the pages. I loved, absolutely loved, figuring out who did it. But more than that, I needed to know why.
 
The main characters were always someone who tried to do their best and come up with answers. They weren’t always police officers, sometimes they were just regular people. Women were smart, resourceful, and courageous. They solved crimes differently than men did. And they didn’t wait around to be rescued by some guy. They did it themselves.
 
The mysteries I read took me to different places around the world, far from my small village along St. Mary’s Bay. The details provided by the authors painted the settings well.

Mysteries provided me with an escape, one page at a time. Justice was served. The bad guy/girl got caught and sent away. 
 
In my first book for Level Best Books, Death at the Scottish Broch, I’ve worked to include the pieces of mysteries that I’ve enjoyed as a reader.
 
My main character, Dr. Mia Reid, is an archaeologist. She’s smart and resourceful. And not afraid to stand up for herself, her students, or for Ethan, the victim in this book. Ethan isn’t only Mia’s colleague; he’s a good friend. And his death rocks Mia to her core.

Mia digs deep to learn who killed Ethan and why they did. She also defends him against charges of artifact smuggling. She’s determined to clear his name and solve his murder.

The supporting cast of characters helps the story unfold. Mia can lean on them for feedback and a different perspective. They include locals from the Isle of Skye; the students working with Mia on the dig; Mia’s Gran back in Lakeview City; and Mia’s former lover, Luke Forbes, who’s now working for Interpol. Each of them contributes to the narrative in their own way.
 
The location for Death at the Scottish Broch is the Isle of Skye, in Scotland. It’s a magical place. Brooding mountains, green valleys, waterfalls, lochs, and the people. And it’s a little remote. You take a ferry or cross a bridge to get there. The area where I’ve set the dig is rugged, windy, and isolated. A perfect setting for a mystery.
 
 
So, yes. Mysteries matter. They can entertain, educate, and provide the reader with an escape from everyday life.  
 
If my books provide a reader with a few hours of entertainment and escape from the real world, I’m happy.
 
Thanks for reading!
 

Rose Kerr writes mysteries featuring strong, smart, women protagonists who must draw on their wits and resourcefulness to solve the crime.

Rose was born in a small community in Nova Scotia and has traveled across Canada.

Her working career included employment in figure skating, non-profit organizations, and in distance education.

More recently, Rose and her husband have moved to Southern Ontario. When she isn’t writing, Rose and her husband enjoy exploring the new region.