The Perfect Blend: Murder and Macchiatos
An Exploration of Tropes and Types
The clatter of coffee cups, the enticing aroma of freshly ground beans, and the soothing hum of conversation — it’s no wonder coffee shops are a favorite haunt for writers and a classic setting for cozy mysteries. But what makes the coffee-shop trope so enduring? Let’s brew some thoughts:
Why do we love the coffee-shop trope?
- Community: Characters can drop into coffee shops whenever they need to connect with their communities. They’re a quick, easy place for locals to meet, exchange news, and interact in a relaxed environment.
- Comfort: Coffee shops are inviting. They’re warm and familiar. There’s comfort in the routine of visiting a local coffee shop, where the barista knows your order — and maybe even your deepest secrets. A coffee shop is a stable backdrop, especially when mystery and intrigue are front and center.
- Nostalgia: Coffee shops remind us of simpler times, in an idealized past where a morning cup of joe was everybody’s touchstone. Even in big cities, neighborhood coffee shops have a small-town feel.
- Neutral Grounds: Every character, regardless of their role in the community or their part in the mystery, can spend time at a coffee shop. Amateur sleuths will have no problem bumping into their prime suspects when they stop in for their usual tall grande venti.
- Gossip: While characters are getting caffeinated, they can also overhear the latest scuttlebutt or catch a suspicious exchange — all over a cup of coffee that’s as complex as the cases they unravel!
- A Port in the Storm: When a community is thrown into chaos and disruption by a suspicious death, coffee shops maintain a sense of normalcy and routine. Regular meals and coffee breaks give characters (and readers) a sense of continuity and order.
- Sense of Belonging: For protagonists, especially those new to town or those who feel like outsiders, a coffee shop is a place where they find acceptance and build relationships. For readers who live vicariously through the stories, settling in with the sleuth isn’t just emotionally gratifying. The experience reinforces the theme of community that’s a mainstay of cozy mysteries.
- Culinary Appeal: Coffee shops also highlight the culinary aspects of cozy mysteries, from homemade pies to specialty coffees. Sensory descriptions of food and drinks make settings seem richer, more vivid, and more enticing.
- Dynamic Settings: Coffee shops are also ideal for key scenes — climactic confrontations, the unravelling of significant clues, or heartfelt revelations. A coffee shop is public, but that corner booth can also be a private, even intimate space.
Coffee shops are more than just a trope; they’re a beloved and essential element in the tapestry of cozy mysteries, brewing the perfect blend of familiarity, intrigue, and community.
About the “Tropes and Types” Series
Tropes and Types explores the hallmarks of the cozy mystery genre: tropes and archetypal characters. Tropes and types are the bread and butter of cozy mysteries, and they pack a powerful punch.
Tropes are like threads that weave through the entire genre, ranging from themes and motifs to storylines and settings. Writers use tropes as a framework for their stories, so readers can immerse themselves in fictional worlds that feel familiar. Tropes also add emotional appeal to every story. In a troubled world, cozy mystery tropes offer an escape from reality, as well as comfort and companionship. Diving into a cozy mystery with familiar tropes is like grabbing a coffee with old friends.
Archetypes describe the classic characters you’ll find in most fiction. They’re not stereotypes, because they have their own unique characteristics, but archetypal characters are instantly recognizable- like the busybody who knows everyone’s business, the wise old man who has a knack for giving just the right advice, and the plucky heroine who’s more clever than she seems. Archetypal characters are easy to understand. They feel familiar, so we connect with them more quickly — and we care about what happens to them, too.
