Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Weather and Murder

Weather has really been in the news lately. Blizzards in a lot of the country and here where I live, it keeps raining and raining.

When you hear about people being trapped on a train for hours with no heat or food (and they didn't mention it, but what about toilet facilities?)you can bet murder was on the minds of a few. Once I was on a train that hit a car, fatal to the driver, and did damage to the train. We were stuck for several hours though we did have food, lights and the weather was fine, and they generously gave out free drinks. The only drawback was the toilets didn't work. I chose not to drink anything.

Here the rain is causing havoc. We have a river that runs behind our house and it is raging. We're up high enough not to worry, but there are plenty who are having to use sandbags to keep water out of their house. Ponds are overflowing causing more problems.

Approaches to the bridges are being closed because water and debris are coming over the top of the bridges, stranding some people in their homes.

All of these conditions are great possibilities to include in mysteries.

How are you faring in this unusual weather? Are you contemplating using any of it in a mystery?

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

3 comments:

WS Gager said...

You have really had the weather, Marilyn. Typically Christmas and New Year's travel are treacherous in Michigan but this year it has been great. Today is suppose to be 50 and all the frozen slush from early December is history. Roads are dry! In my criminal minds I'm thinking that a dead body will be found in a melting snowbank!
Take care!
Wendy
www.wsgager.com

M.M. Gornell said...

I think weather is an important element to bring into your work, if feasible. Brings depth to the location, and an opportunity to develop your characters based on their weather responses. A lot of "weather" this year to "motivate." Your blog gave me an idea for the opening of a scene.... Thanks!

Madeline

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Yep, weather can really set a mood.

Thanks for commenting, Wendy and Madeline.

Marilyn