E. C. (Gene) Ayres Blogspot

  As a mystery author ( E.C. Ayres ) I am troubled by a trend in the writing and publication of mystery/suspense thrillers: serial killers have become a near requirement in today's literary fare. Personally, I yearn for the days of Agatha Chrystie, Mickie Spillane, and Sam Spade. It was all about character development, depth of relationship (bright and dark), memory and recollection, illusion and disillusionment. What happened in those novels were vivid reflections of life as it is or was truly lived (and sometimes, ended). They reflected our actual world, albeit focusing on a particular location or aspect. The keys, always, were character and suspense. And when done right, it can be unforgettable. There can be exceptions, of course, to this trend (or any trend) as always. The book that triggered my need to write this blog was this one:  As I delved into the early chapters I was instantly troubled by the opening introduction of a serial killer just getting warmed up, it seemed, wit