Romance in Mystery Stories: How Molly Harper Fashions Romantic Elements to Aid Character Resolutions
In the world of mystery romance, Molly Harper's latest novel, A Proposal to Die For, stands out for its unique blend of humor and romantic intrigue.
Harper, an established author with numerous romance titles under her belt, decided to infuse her first murder mystery with humor. This decision was partially influenced by her own propensity to cope with discomfort through humor, a trait shared by her family. As a result, funerals—even those within the pages of her books—are anything but conventional.
The plot revolves around Jess, a proposal planner who finds herself in a precarious situation at a luxury mountain resort, tasked with planning an Instagram-perfect proposal for a difficult former classmate. Just when things couldn't get any more chaotic, the Pecan Prince of Tennessee crashes the pre-bridal retreat, throwing Jess into a whirlwind of pseudo-social work and dead bodies.
While juggling the mystery arc with the necessary plot points, Harper also wanted to incorporate romance. With over forty romance titles in her repertoire, it was only natural to include a love story. However, the challenge lay in combining the mystery elements with the required plot points of a rom-com, such as the meet-cute, banter, and a sex scene.
In addition to the main plot, Harper also used an index card method to organize her writing process. Colored index cards represented various plot points, such as action, romance, and exposition. By spread out these cards on her dining room table, she could ensure a balanced and well-structured story. For the first time, she even wrote "MURDER HERE" and "WHERE'S THE WEAPON?" on her cards, adding a dark twist to her typically lighthearted writing style.
When it came to creating the main characters, Harper drew inspiration from her own personality and experiences. Jess, the protagonist, is socially awkward yet quick-witted, similar to Harper herself. Jess is competent, resourceful, and adaptable, with a limited romantic history and a family that consists primarily of her loving grandmother and an absent mother.
One potential love interest for Jess was gruff, reclusive chef Dean Osbourne. Like Jess, Dean is driven by a love for his work and is highly capable. His guarded demeanor clashes with Jess's customer service cheerfulness, but their opposing personalities create an intriguing dynamic.
Through the romantic plotline, Jess gains access to valuable information about the on-site deaths, ultimately helping her solve the mystery. The developing relationship between Jess and Dean, whose surly charms and Jess's ability to hone an entendre are skillfully displayed, adds humor and depth to the story.
Following the success of Proposal to Die For, Harper has begun work on another mystery with romantic undertones. As her family learns to adapt to her increasingly intricate mystery-plots, readers can expect more laughs, romance, and suspense in Harper's upcoming novels.
In the realm of Harper's diverse literary accomplishments, future novels might delve into genres beyond romance, such as fashion-and-beauty or lifestyle books, showcasing her creative versatility. Furthermore, as she continues to weave captivating mystery stories infused with humor, the entertainment value of her books, with their intriguing characters and unique narratives, promises to captivate readers across different spheres including fashion, beauty, and even literary circles.
