Cause of death – Researching?
So, yeah, I’m writing a new mystery for the Tourist Trap
series. And I’ve got this dead guy in
the middle of the floor, playing, no being, dead.
series. And I’ve got this dead guy in
the middle of the floor, playing, no being, dead.
I know who kills Kent. I know why he has to die.
It’s the how.
I had a great idea that I started researching and ran into
some controversy over whether or not a stun gun can kill someone. So now I’m mulling over the but what if…
additions.
some controversy over whether or not a stun gun can kill someone. So now I’m mulling over the but what if…
additions.
I’m trying to make the story interesting without delving
into the world of science fiction or fantasy.
My Google search history would make a serial killer proud.
into the world of science fiction or fantasy.
My Google search history would make a serial killer proud.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a dead guy in the middle of the stage.
Literally.
Literally.
So this question is for the cozy mystery reader – How
realistic do you like your murder facts?
I don’t want to make people throw the book across the room. (grin)
realistic do you like your murder facts?
I don’t want to make people throw the book across the room. (grin)
To gather more information, I’ve joined a crime writer yahoo
group and am busy searching the files for relevant entries. I’ve searched out
blogs from former police officers where they post about the effects of
different weapons.
group and am busy searching the files for relevant entries. I’ve searched out
blogs from former police officers where they post about the effects of
different weapons.
In the past, I met two guys who owned a lot of guns (prior
military dudes) in a bar. When I said I’d never shot a gun before, they offered
to take me to the desert and teach me to shoot.
military dudes) in a bar. When I said I’d never shot a gun before, they offered
to take me to the desert and teach me to shoot.
I went.
Luckily, I also came home, but I started to get a little
nervous when I thought about how isolated the spot they’d chosen for the
shooting lesson.
nervous when I thought about how isolated the spot they’d chosen for the
shooting lesson.
When we were driving to our favorite ATV riding site with my
husband’s best friend, I brought up the question of guns. I think the friend
thought I was a bit off, or at least until my husband asked if this was for one
of my books.
husband’s best friend, I brought up the question of guns. I think the friend
thought I was a bit off, or at least until my husband asked if this was for one
of my books.
So writers, what have you done in the name of research? Know any great murder sites you’d like to
share?
share?
Lynn
If you like your mysteries in paper format, MISSION TO MURDER is now available -e-book July 31st.
The craziest thing I did was sent a "can I murder a person this way" email to the M.E. in St. Louis about 15 years ago. The second I sent it, I thought, "uh oh."
But she answered me (we'd met while I was a reporter working on a murder case 10 years earlier and, somehow, she remembered me).
I wonder how many emails from 'aspiring writers' she gets. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.