When we think of
a story being a mystery the tendency is to think of the mystery genre. An investigator
(usually a detective), a puzzle to be solved (usually a crime), a person to be
caught (usually a criminal).
But to all
intents and purposes every story is basically a mystery. There is always a burning
question that needs answering and someone who is tasked with finding that
answer. It’s just that it might not be as obvious what the question is in Looking for Love as it is in Who Killed Johnny?
And if it’s well
written the reader’s desire to also discover the answer should be just as
strong in both stories. Which is why when that desire isn’t so strong we can
use the mechanics of the mystery genre to help work out what’s gone awry in
other types of stories.
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