The problem with DB Syndrome and reader rec.
Dates: 12/21/99,2:59 PM through 12/21/99,5:58 PM (3 postings)
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The problem with DB Syndrome and reader rec.
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FROM: "Renee Patterson" <rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 2:59 PM
This was wonderful for all of us until we ran into the dreaded DBS.
Most of my patrons hit it in Stabenow's latest. Now the majority no
longer 'trust' the mystery writers and are back to reading mainly
romance, unless I can personally guarantee the book to them.
Their take: "Killing off a character is wimping out. These authors
don't know how to develop characters like authors who started in romance
do. I won't read/invest in this author anymore because I'm not getting
a good return on that investment."
My romance readers are more interested in character development, an
element they feel is not as important in the mystery genre.
I suppose it really doesn't matter - in terms of my 'issue.' If the
mystery genre isn't interested in picking up crossover readers, that's
their business. They certainly don't owe readers a happy ending, as
romance does.
I just find this trend disappointing - as a librarian and as a reader.
My take only,
Renee Patterson
_____________________________
High Springs Branch
Alachua County Library District
High Springs, FL
rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us
FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <jlinn@libby.org>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 4:19 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Renee Patterson <rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
To: 'fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org' <fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org>
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 2:52 PM
Subject: The problem with DB Syndrome and reader rec.
>
>The biggest problem I have with Dead Boyfriend Syndrome and reader
>recommendtion is that I am losing most of my crossover readers. Many
>patrons followed their favorite romance authors over to the mystery
>genre (Roberts/Robb, Evanovich, Hoag, Johansen, etc). When they'd read
>everything their authors had to offer, they started picking up other
>mystery authors who hadn't started in romance - like Stabenow. My
>patrons were expanding their reading base/authors and circulation went
>up.
>
>This was wonderful for all of us until we ran into the dreaded DBS.
>Most of my patrons hit it in Stabenow's latest. Now the majority no
>longer 'trust' the mystery writers and are back to reading mainly
>romance, unless I can personally guarantee the book to them.
>
>Their take: "Killing off a character is wimping out. These authors
>don't know how to develop characters like authors who started in romance
>do. I won't read/invest in this author anymore because I'm not getting
>a good return on that investment."
>My romance readers are more interested in character development, an
>element they feel is not as important in the mystery genre.
>
>I suppose it really doesn't matter - in terms of my 'issue.' If the
>mystery genre isn't interested in picking up crossover readers, that's
>their business. They certainly don't owe readers a happy ending, as
>romance does.
>
>I just find this trend disappointing - as a librarian and as a reader.
>
>My take only,
>Renee Patterson
>_____________________________
>High Springs Branch
>Alachua County Library District
>High Springs, FL
>rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us
>
FROM: "Renee Patterson" <rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 5:58 PM
>Renee, I am just asking here because I don't read enough romance to
know,
>but isn't the difference that most romances are one story and not a
series?
Sure, that's a valid point. Most romance novels are one story, though a
good many of them are connected in a series these days - marketing. We
use this site most often in tracking romance series for patrons.
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~eventmaker/series.html">http://members.tripod.com/~eventmaker/series.html</A> The series usually
revolve around a location or a group of connected individuals, but not
one couple.
I compare the mysteries we've been discussing with J.D. Robb and Janet
Evanovich's mysteries. Robb's couple grows and changes through each
book, but their commitment to each other does not. Evanovich's
Stephanie always has some romance going on - though you never know quite
what you'll end up with. Both authors keep the relationships fresh
without resorting to killing off the SO. I think Robb is up to book
10 and Evanovich is on "Hot Six" so we'll see how well their
relationships hold up down the road. So far, while the mystery part of
the book is a mystery, you can count on some continuity or something
positive in the character relationships.
Perhaps in the end that's what it comes down to. Some patrons only like
to read books which have a positive outcome, or leave them happier after
having read the book. Usually this is not what results from reading a
book in which a SO is killed off. :)
I guess that's what they keep me around for - to know what my patrons
want and direct them to the appropriate titles and authors, whatever
they may be. :)
With that in mind, I don't suppose anyone kept a list of the mystery
books mentioned in which the author kills the SO? I think I've aready
deleted my old mail, but it might be nice to have on hand...
Renee Patterson
_____________________________
High Springs Branch
Alachua County Library District
High Springs, FL
rpatterson@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us
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