There are numerous ways to plot a murder mystery. The first is the classic “who-dun-it” in which the reader is given clues, at least one red herring and numerous candidates for having pulled off the crime. There is the scene of the crime and often a main detective or “crime solver” who is either endearing to the reader or somewhat of an annoyance.
Other murder mysteries are like tightly woven, multiple viewpoint stories with a cliffhanger thrown in for good measure.
Each shaman mystery story features different plot structure. All include retired psychologist, Johanna Kincaid who is a student of what I term, mysterious ways. She has a teacher/mentor/ friend who guides her developing shamanic tools. She is relentlessly stalked by her spirit guide who is always less than truly helpful and has a dry sense of humor. She also has a secret.
Each book has a cast of supporting characters many of which are real life people who have agreed to participate in the story. The reader just won’t be told who is who.
This the way I structure each mystery!
1- what everyone knows
2- what some people know
3- what the readers know that the main characters don’t
4- what no one knows
5- what Spirit reveals and how
6- what the spirit guide does
7- sometimes there isn’t a murder- someone is just missing
Each story reveals a little more about Johanna and her relationships but is her secret ever really revealed ? I am the writer and I don’t even know.
All I know for sure is the wisdom of the mysterious ways is for real. And yeah, so is the spirit guide.
Enjoy!
-Anneka 🐾