Cliche

I was thinking about some of my favorite mystery characters and stereotypes in the mystery world.

Hmmm.

Police Chief Jessie Stone, created by Robert B. Parker. His life is a mess. Trouble with booze. Too many one night stands. Uhoh. However, there are some twists. He battles the alchol problem, unlike some characters of old. He really does want to be back with his ex-wife, which is probably the source of his women problems. He's seeing a shrink. Suddenly, he gets a little more real.

I like Harlan Coben's character Myron Bolitar, sports agent who happens to get wrapped up in these messes. In his 30s, up until recently, he still lived with his parents. How's that for a character "flaw"? A bit different to say the least. Plus, I like some of the recurring issues that stem from him almost making it to the NBA, until an injury at camp ended his hoops career.

Harry Bosch, of Michael Connelly's excellent books, has women trouble and a variety of other trouble. But it seems, to me anyway, weaved into his experiences in Vietnam. It creates a character whose problems are not unlike those faced by Vietnam vets we all know.

LIke a lot of private eyes, Robert Crais' Elvis Cole is tough, and seems to go from woman to woman. However, the cliche is tempered by a character who clearly has a soft spot for kids, and things childlike. He's a Disney freak and very joking.

The thing is, these characters are very popular and attract millions of readers, literally. When you begin to look at them, you think "oh no, another alcoholic police chief" or whatever. But they use SOMETHING - an ex-wife the man still loves, a career and dream ending injury, a war -- to give the characters a legitimate reason for their problems. All of a sudden, they become like people we all know.

And the characters are given idiosyncracies -- a love of Disney, a love of pets, etc. -- to humanize them and steer them farther from the cliche and the tried and true.

Mystery fiction today is riddled with stereotypes. But in the hands of a master, the cliche can become very realistic, adding something to the book and making the character more memorable.