Morals, Bedtime Stories and Crime…Oh My!


Today we have best-selling mystery and suspense author Kathy Bennett guest blogging with us. Kathy spent twenty-one years as a police officer with the LAPD, and draws on her career experience to write her ‘arresting’ stories. Her latest book, A Deadly Justice, was released in September 2013. Welcome, Kathy!

Thanks, Leigh, and thanks to everyone here at Fierce Romance!

At bedtime when I was a little girl, my mother would read me a story from a book of fairy tales, or relate a story she'd been told by her parents as a little girl. Who could forget The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Little Red Hen, or the Emperor's New Clothes? Every story had a purpose or a lesson.

That fact would be summarized at the end of the story when my mother would say, "The End." Then she'd pause, look at me intently and say, "And the MORAL of the story is…" and then I'd be expected to tell her the lesson I'd learned from the tale she'd just read. Usually I was successful in reciting what I'd learned. 

So now, as someone who makes up her own stories, it doesn't come as a big surprise to me that there are little lessons or things to be learned in my books. I'm not talking about the police jargon or procedures I sprinkle into my stories, and I'm not talking about research I've done about a particular location or profession.

No, I'm talking about the predicaments my characters face. I try to make those circumstances as authentic as I can. Usually, the situations are crime-related, and I hope that my readers will put themselves in the character's positions. That way, the reader can think about what they'd do if they experienced the same dilemmas. 

In my second book, A Deadly Blessing, I had a sixteen-year-old girl get drugged and kidnapped from an unsupervised party. In a review of the book, one reader stated she'd used the events in my book to open a discussion with her teenage children about the dangers they might face when out with their friends.

In my most recent release, A Deadly Justice, I have a teenage female character struggle with what to do about a boss who is sexually harassing her. Additionally, in the same book, there is a subtle message for parents: Don't be so busy with your own lives that you only go through the motions with your children, while you have no clue what your kids are doing. 
 
I don't intentionally put these examples or warnings in my book. They just grow from the plot. Of course, it's my hope that my characters and the situations they face permeate the reader's mind and get them thinking about the consequences of their actions…or inaction. 

Is it my duty to subtly educate my readers? No. Is it necessary to my stories that I try to enlighten the people who buy my books? No. So why does my subconscious seem to turn my tales into learning adventures? Maybe because I suspect most parents today aren't telling bedtimes stories to their children – and I believe they should. What do you think? 

Oh, and the moral of this story is…once you've been a cop for over twenty years, it's hard to break the habit of trying to protect people from the evil in the world. 

Kathy Bennett

12 comments:

Leigh Court said...

Kathy -
I love your action-packed stories and the behind-the-scenes look you give readers at how the police really work. Your books are full of suspense, and I can never guess "whodunit"!

Thanks for blogging with us today,
Leigh

Unknown said...

And the moral of the story is...read Kathy Bennett's books! Loved this one even more than the first two, and they were awesome!

Robena Grant said...

I always enjoy learning something from reading a book, and my guess is that also goes back to my childhood and my mother's reading or storytelling. : )Love your books Kathy. I have not had a chance to read this one yet, but I will very soon.

Jane Emaus said...

I agree with Roz. The moral is - Read Kathy's books!

Kathy Bennett said...

Thanks for having me, Leigh!

I try to tell the best story - or stories that I can. I work really hard to stump the reader as to who is guilty.

Kathy Bennett said...

Thanks, Roz!

You'd make my Mom proud!

Kathy Bennett said...

Hi Robena!

I think it's disheartening that many children don't have story time with their parents. What a great way to bond with your kids! Your mom had it right!

Kathy Bennett said...

Hi Janie!

Thanks! Sounds like a good plan to me! :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, these sound like good books. I'm off to buy a copy!

Good luck with them,
Joan

Pat Marinelli said...

Great blog topic. I guess I was lucky, my parents and grandparents read to me and I read to my kids.

Loved A Deadly Justice. Your twists are great. Could not figure out the story and twist was a wonderful surprise at the end. I love these characters. Can't wait for your next book. Will Jade and Maddie be in it?

Kathy Bennett said...

Thank you, Joan. I like to think they're good books, I hope you'll let me know what you think.

Kathy Bennett said...

Hi Pat!

I think it's so important to read to children, and I'm glad you've passed it on down the line in your family.

Thanks, I'm glad you liked the twists. You know how it is with my books...you never know who you're going to see or what's going to happen to them!