First, let me say that I like cozies, particularly those that feature little old ladies. I read every Patricia Wentworth book that featured Miss Silver and to say that I ADORE Miss Marple, especially in her latest adaptation on PBS, would be an understatement.
But I absolutely do not like mysteries that feature the p.o.v. of animals. And I do love animals, but I don't want to read some human's interpretation of what they say. Okay, the occasional p.o.v. of a hawk or a deer or a bear or wolf or fox or something that witnesses a body dump is fine provided this is in the prologue and not a recurring theme.
Yes, there are lots of mysteries that feature cats and such (though I can't imagine why cats would care about the machinations of human beings -- mine sure wouldn't) but those authors, bless 'em, or at least their publishers let you know up front. There's a kitty on the book cover, or a horse, or a search and rescue dog, or whatever. I can respect that -- it's a niche in the genre and people deserve the characters and the books they want.
But what annoys me is when -- in a perfectly human p.o.v. book -- an animal steps up to give its opinion.
For example, I've been reading Martha Grimes since she began her series (Richard Jury); I've put up with a lot in her books. Absurd characters, preposterous plot holes, etc. but some of her work is brilliant, even laugh out loud funny, and her characters, well, most of them grow on you. But a couple of books ago she had a cat as a character. I thought it was an aberration... then the next book she not only had the cat, but a dog, too. Add that to a villain who reappears and spouts incomprehensible (to my little brain) mathematical ideas, and I had to finally say goodbye to Grimes. Usually with series, I'm an until-death-do-us-part reader -- RIP Inspector Morse, and Robert Parker, etc. -- but this animal stuff is just too much.
Please just give me a little old lady, preferable one who drinks tea and knits.
Perhaps I'm just venting but I would love to know if I'm alone in this?
Mel
But I absolutely do not like mysteries that feature the p.o.v. of animals. And I do love animals, but I don't want to read some human's interpretation of what they say. Okay, the occasional p.o.v. of a hawk or a deer or a bear or wolf or fox or something that witnesses a body dump is fine provided this is in the prologue and not a recurring theme.
Yes, there are lots of mysteries that feature cats and such (though I can't imagine why cats would care about the machinations of human beings -- mine sure wouldn't) but those authors, bless 'em, or at least their publishers let you know up front. There's a kitty on the book cover, or a horse, or a search and rescue dog, or whatever. I can respect that -- it's a niche in the genre and people deserve the characters and the books they want.
But what annoys me is when -- in a perfectly human p.o.v. book -- an animal steps up to give its opinion.
For example, I've been reading Martha Grimes since she began her series (Richard Jury); I've put up with a lot in her books. Absurd characters, preposterous plot holes, etc. but some of her work is brilliant, even laugh out loud funny, and her characters, well, most of them grow on you. But a couple of books ago she had a cat as a character. I thought it was an aberration... then the next book she not only had the cat, but a dog, too. Add that to a villain who reappears and spouts incomprehensible (to my little brain) mathematical ideas, and I had to finally say goodbye to Grimes. Usually with series, I'm an until-death-do-us-part reader -- RIP Inspector Morse, and Robert Parker, etc. -- but this animal stuff is just too much.
Please just give me a little old lady, preferable one who drinks tea and knits.
Perhaps I'm just venting but I would love to know if I'm alone in this?
Mel
Truer words, my friend, truer words...
