Why Women Readers Love Detective Parrott

Why Women Readers Love Detective Parrott

by Saralyn Richard

The past several decades have seen a big trend in detective fiction toward strong female protagonists, and, as a person who devours such books, I have to give a resounding hurrah. V.I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum and even going back to Miss Marple and Nancy Drew—I’ve applauded the likes of them all, and the authors who created them.

My own two standalone mysteries, BAD BLOOD SISTERS and A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL, have strong female protagonists, and I’ve completely lost myself into the characters of both, when writing and reading them. 

So I get it. 

But when writing the three books in the Detective Parrott Mystery Series*, I ignore those female-identification issues and create a male detective whose gender, age, and race are different from mine, but whose heart and values are not. And the feedback I receive from female readers is, “We love Detective Parrott.”

Here are some reasons I’ve come up with:

• Parrott is dedicated to helping victims and their families find justice and truth. He can be relentless when he needs to, but most of the time he is respectful and sensitive to the feelings of others. He’s smart and well-organized, but also hard-working and down-to-earth. These are qualities of an exemplary law enforcement officer, regardless of gender.
• Parrott is devoted to his fiancee’ (and later wife), Tonya. Despite the long separation when she was on tour of duty with the Navy in Afghanistan, and throughout bouts of extreme PTSD from her experiences there, Parrott supports and cares for Tonya unconditionally. He knows exactly the right thing to say or do to de-escalate Tonya’s stress. 
• Parrott has a special bond with his mother. His father died when he was young, so his mother has been his main anchor. 
• On top of all these inner qualities, Parrott is tall and athletic. He’s handsome and has a deep baritone voice. Whether he’s confronting criminals or taking care of his cockatiel, Horace, he’s fun to look at and listen to.

Whatever the reasons, females appear to relate to Parrott as much, if not more, than males do.  Maybe that’s a good sign—that society is becoming gender-blind when it comes to embracing heroes. I hope that’s true, because not all of the best good guys are gals. 

*MURDER IN THE ONE PERCENT, A PALETTE FOR LOVE AND MURDER, and CRYSTAL BLUE MURDER.

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Saralyn Richard writes award-winning mysteries that pull back the curtain on people in settings as diverse as elite country manor houses and disadvantaged urban high schools. Whether she’s writing a police procedural or romantic suspense, Saralyn infuses the intellectual and emotional puzzle with depth of characters and humor. An active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, Saralyn teaches creative writing and literature, and continues to write mysteries. Her favorite thing about being an author is interacting with readers like you.

Saralyn loves to connect with readers through book clubs, organization meetings, or on social media @SaralynRichard

Find out more about Saralyn on her website http://www.saralynrichard.com/

CRYSTAL BLUE MURDER

METH, MURDER, AND EXPLOSIONS OF THE HEART

In the heart of tranquil Brandywine Valley, Detective Parrott confronts a meth lab explosion, a dismembered corpse, and an intricate trail of secrets that shake up many lives — including his own. When celebrity hostess Claire Whitman’s renovated barn explodes into flames, Parrott delves into the backgrounds and relationships of all who are affected. Tension from Parrott’s personal life crosses over into the case, and soon secrets, deceptions, and crimes create an even bigger explosion. Third in the Detective Parrott Mystery Series, Crystal Blue Murder explores the complexities of life in a privileged world where many of America’s wealthiest people have their own struggles to bear.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing