Will multiple sidekicks work?
With each book I write, Linnie’s sidekick could be the same. However, I think it might work to use a different one in each subsequent book. I have several characters who are clamoring for the job. In Doggoned Dead, there’s Perry. In Doggoned Bullseye, I think one of the other characters would work better. In Doggoned Bones, her cousin seems to fit the bill.
What do you think? In a series mystery, does it matter to you if the sidekick changes according to the storyline? I won’t mix and match several in one book I don’t think that would work.
Why am I writing a mystery series? I love reading them. I enjoy getting to know the characters. The idea of picking up a book that has a familiar set of characters appeals to me.
Do you read mystery series? What do like best about a mystery series? What turns you off? Come on people, let me hear your opinions.
Posted on August 25, 2009, in My blog, Writer, Writing and tagged Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
Doggonedmysteries 
I like series mysteries because I don’t have to get to ‘know’ a new main character (or sidekick) each time I open a new book by the author. I know how the character will act in a given situation, how he or she thinks, etc. It’s like visiting an old friend. I also enjoy seeing how the main character grows or changes as the series progresses–does he become smarter, more compassionate, break a bad habit, overcome an addiction, finally come to terms with a dark page from his past, fall in love, lose someone he loves?
There’s no reason Linnie couldn’t have a different sidekick in each book. But I wouldn’t rule out having previous sidekicks at least ‘poke their head in the door’ in later books–especially Perry–unless you can create a valid reason for the person to be missing (such as an extended cruise on Lake Erie).
Oh, Perry won’t disappear. He’ll be there when the story calls for him. I’m thinking that there are several characters that can alternate as Linnie’s sidekick since she has several quirky friends and her family is around a lot.
I think that’s a good idea.
May I suggest, though, like Parker’s Spenser, you give Linnie one prime sidekick in Perry (like Hawk is to Spenser) and bring the others in on a less regular basis as needed. Yes, you can feature other friends and family in specific novels, but always (or almost always) have Perry in them.
Just my 2/100 of a dollar.
Good idea. So, I guess Perry will remain the prime sidekick with guest spots by others.
Good question and it made me both think and go to some of my favorite books. In all I like a consistent sidekick. Even if the character is mostly off stage during a book, to me it is an extra dimension for knowing the main character to have a consistent sidekick.
Having a different one for each novel puts the author in the position of introducing the main character over and over from differing points of view. It makes showing personal growth and/or shared experiences difficult if not impossible.
I think Donna Andrews does a most excellent job of the consistent sidekick, but not to the detriment of her other strong characters.
It seems that there’s a consensus on sidekicks here. 😉
Great site…keep up the good work.
Thank you!
I finally started reading your back blogs and came across this one. I too, am a Robert B. Parker fan and love Spenser and Hawk. Dave said it best, one sidekick is the best way to go and give other characters lesser roles or cameo appearances. One author who did the cameo role successfully is Michael Connelly. In the book, The Brass Verdict, his other main character, Harry Bosch has a cameo role here. The ending was a bit of a surprise, and I loved it.
One other point I want to mention is that the banter between the main character and the sidekick actually improves over time, becoming more and more comfortable with the reader. In other words, the character and his sidekick almost feel like “family”.