--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In ordinary detective novels you never…" description: "\"In ordinary detective novels you never see the consequences of what happens in a story in the next book. That you do in mine.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg" --- # In ordinary detective novels you never see the… ![“In ordinary detective novels you never see the consequences of what happens in a story in the next book. That you do in mine.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg) > “In ordinary detective novels you never see the consequences of what happens in a story in the next book. That you do in mine.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author highlights that his detective series continues storylines across books, showing long‑term consequences, unlike typical stand‑alone mysteries. **In simple terms:** Series continuity in mystery fiction Key Takeaway Narrative payoff over multiple installments Themes continuity character development cause‑and‑effect genre subversion story arcs Mood intrigued satisfied anticipatory Type observation genre commentary When to use this quote - reading a series - writing a mystery - building a franchise - engaging long‑term readers Key Concepts sequel storytelling detective genre plot persistence Practical Applications - designing multi‑book arcs - marketing series continuity Questions to Reflect On - How does continuity affect reader investment? - What risks arise when each book depends on previous ones? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Consequences Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequences-happens-414235/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Detective Novels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective-novels-414234/) [Detectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detectives/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novels/) [Novels Consequences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novels-consequences-414233/) [Ordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary/) [Ordinary Detective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary-detective-414232/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [I never read detective novels. I started out in graduate school writing a more serious book. Right around that time I read 'The Day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-never-read-detective-novels-i-started-out-in-graduate-school/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Narrativity presumes a special taste for plot. And this taste for plot was always very present in the Anglo-Saxon countries and that explains their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/narrativity-presumes-a-special-taste-for-plot-and-this-taste-for-plot/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [While I was writing poems, I would often divert myself by reading detective novels, I liked them. And there was a period when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/while-i-was-writing-poems-i-would-often-divert-myself-by-reading/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [I often use detective elements in my books. I love detective novels. But I also think science fiction and detective stories are very close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lukyanenko/i-often-use-detective-elements-in-my-books-i-love-detective-novels/) [Sergei Lukyanenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lukyanenko/) > [The only two kinds of books could earn an American writer a living are cookbooks and detective novels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-stout/the-only-two-kinds-of-books-could-earn-an-american-writer-a-living/) [Rex Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-stout/) > [“The ordinary detective discovers from a ledger or a diary that a crime has been committed. We discover from a book of sonnets that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/the-ordinary-detective-discovers-from-a-ledger-or-a-diary-that-a/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Probably the most visible example of unintended consequences, is what happens every time humans try to change the natural ecology of a place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/probably-the-most-visible-example-of-unintended-consequences-is-what/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [“The work of the philosophical policeman," replied the man in blue, "is at once bolder and more subtle than that of the ordinary detective.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/the-work-of-the-philosophical-policeman-replied-the-man-in-blue-is-at/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [You get to the point in life where you realize you have to roll up your sleeves, deal with the consequences of what happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-isley/you-get-to-the-point-in-life-where-you-realize-you-have-to-roll-up/) [Ernie Isley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-isley/) > [I've always had the wish, the nostalgia to be able to write detective novels. At heart, the principal themes of detective novels are close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-modiano/i-ve-always-had-the-wish-the-nostalgia-to-be-able-to-write-detective/) [Patrick Modiano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-modiano/) > [ “\[…\] detective novels are not novels of detection, still less of revelation, still less of solution. Those are all necessary, but not only are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/detective-novels-are-not-novels-of-detection-still-less-of-revelation/) [China Miéville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [At first I imagined I'd write detective novels, because I loved 'Nancy Drew.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/at-first-i-imagined-i-d-write-detective-novels-because-i-loved-nancy/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [Your novels show only the tiniest fraction of detective work, the brilliant crime, the tantalizing clues, the dramatic chase, the final battle atop a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-petrucha/your-novels-show-only-the-tiniest-fraction-of-detective-work-the/) [Stefan Petrucha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-petrucha/) > [The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-criminal-is-the-creative-artist-the-detective-only-the-critic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Writing detective stories is about writing light literature, for entertainment. It isn't primarily a question of writing propaganda or classical literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/writing-detective-stories-is-about-writing-light-literature-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Book quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 29,378 Book quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In ordinary detective novels you never see the consequences of what happens in a story in the next book. That you do in mine.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-see-the-consequences-of-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Book" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-see-the-consequences-of-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/anonymous-1_book_in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-s_26780.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In ordinary detective novels you never see the consequences of what happens in a story in the next book…” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In ordinary detective novels you never...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-see-the-consequences-of-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-ordinary-detective-novels-you-never-see-the-consequences-of-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```