Some characters add a lighter touch to a story. They’re not necessarily there as comic relief, and they may not say very witty things. But they can make for funny scenes, or at least scenes that resonate with readers (e.g., ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve met bores like that!’). That can add a little leaven to a plot and lighten up what might otherwise be a very sad story.
For example, Agatha Christie’s Cat Among the Pigeons begins as students are arriving for the summer term at the exclusive Meadowbank school for girls. Honoria Bulstrode, headmistress of the school, has well-developed skills for dealing with parents, but she can’t be everywhere at once. So, she relies on her business partner (and maths mistress) Miss Chadwick, to help her. Miss Chadwick is faced with a challenge when Lady Veronica Carlton-Sandways arrives. Her twin daughters are pupils at the school, and she claims to want to see them. But Lady Veronica is much the worse for drink and keeps talking about wanting to take her daughters home to be with her. Miss Chadwick skillfully deflects Lady Veronica and offers to show her around the new Sports Pavilion, and the situation is defused. It’s a lighter moment at a school that will soon be the site of a murder, a kidnapping, and more.
Ellery Queen’s The Origin of Evil takes place in Hollywoodland, where Queen has taken a small house to get some writing done. One day, he gets a visit from Laurel Hill, whose father Leander has recently died of a heart attack. Laurel is sure that this heart attack was brought on deliberately and wants Queen to investigate. At first, Queen refuses, but when Laurel tells him a few details, he’s intrigued. Shortly before his death, the victim had been receiving a series of macabre ‘presents’ that don’t seem to make much sense. But Laurel is sure that they were messages of some kind. Queen decides to try to find out if Leander Hill was murdered by working out what those messages might have meant. Since Hill’s business partner Roger Priam has also been receiving ‘presents,’ Queen interviews him and meets his family, including his stepson Crowe. Crowe lives in a treehouse on the Priam property, and wears as little as possible (nothing, when he can). He’s convinced that the world is about to be devastated by nuclear war, and he wants to be prepared. He’s an oddball character, and there are some funny scenes when he talks to Queen. And his character adds a layer to what could otherwise be a bleak family drama.
Robert Barnard’s Death of an Old Goat is the story of Professor Belville-Smith, a renowned Oxford scholar who’s doing a tour of Australia. One of his stops will be the University of Drummondale, in the small town of the same name. English Department Chair Bobby Wickham is doing his best to get things ready for this most auspicious visit, and it’s not going to be easy. Several of the department members are odd characters; each has quirks. In that sense, they all serve to lighten up what could have been a dark story of murder. There’s a funny scene in which everyone’s gathered for a ‘meet the scholar’ get-together. It’s a command performance, and everyone’s expected to gush over Belville-Smith. That’s not what happens, though, as the noted professor is both a snob and a pedant. The party isn’t the smash hit Wickham hoped it would be, and that night, Belville-Smith is murdered. It’s up to police officer Bert Royle, who’s never faced a murder case before, to find out who the killer is.
In Anthony Bidulka’s Flight of Aquavit, Saskatoon PI Russell Quant has been hired to find out who’s been blackmailing successful businessman Daniel Guest. Guest is a closeted gay man who’s had some secret relationships with other men, although he’s married. Someone – Guest suspects one of his lovers – is the blackmailer, and he wants Quant to find out who it is. One of the leads Quant follows takes him to a local theatre, where he wants to get some background on one of the actors. The receptionist is young, sulky, and not at all inclined to be helpful. And she certainly doesn’t warm to Quant. She isn’t a funny person herself, but her attitude helps to create a funny scene in which Quant has to use his powers of persuasion and his cleverness to get the information he needs.
And then there’s William Deverell’s Trial of Passion, the first in his series featuring retired lawyer Arthur Beauchamp. In the novel, Beauchamp is making a move from Vancouver to Garibaldi Island. His marriage is over and he’s looking forward to starting over. He’s barely arrived on the island when he meets local entrepreneur Bob ‘Stoney’ Stonewell. Stoney has all sorts of side businesses, including mechanic work, home repairs, and firewood. Stoney knows everyone and all the gossip, but he’s notoriously late and has a way of disappearing for long periods of time, just when Beauchamp could use his services. Beauchamp is accustomed to a much more formal way of doing things but that’s not how it works on Garibaldi Island. There’s a funny scene when Beauchamp first arrives at his new property. Beauchamp is with him, and as they look over the house and land, Stoney keeps mentioning things that need to be done, and offering to do them. It’s a witty way to introduce readers to the island, and Stoney’s character offers an interesting contrast to Beauchamp’s.
And that’s the thing about some characters. They’re not necessarily comic in the sense of farce or screwball comedy. But they can be quirky, and they can lighten up what might otherwise be a darker story. These are only a few examples. Your turn.
*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from the Eagles’ Take it Easy.
Crime Writer Margot Kinberg 
The book I’ve just finished might be appropriate, although I think the book is meant to be funny all through rather than being a dark book with a couple of lighter moments. It’s Who Killed the Curate? by Joan Coggin, set in 1937 but published in 1944. One scene in a Guider’s (women who ran girl guide groups) meeting was hilarious. Lady Lupin, the main character, was too ditsy for words too. But in the manner of Lord Peter Wimsey it’s meant to be funny. Agatha Christie was a master of little light moments I think, especially with Poirot and his little affectations. Michael Gilbert was excellent too. I’m a real sucker for humorous moments in crime stories.
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Characters who add lighter moments to a story can really add to it, can’t they, Cath? Your description of Lady Lupin is exactly the sort of character I had in mind with this post. It sounds as though the scenes that include her are funny. Thanks for mentioning her. And, yes, Christie did that quite well (of course, I’m a fan, so I’m biased). Gilbert did, too, and your mention reminded me that I haven’t read his work just lately. I should get back to it.
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My mind has gone blank in terms of specific examples, but I always enjoy when there are lighter moments or a character that is entertaining, deliberately or otherwise, in crime fiction. It relieves the darkness that can otherwise make crime fiction quite a grim and depressing genre. Sidekicks are often good for providing a lighter side – like poor Watson’s habit of falling for every woman he meets…
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You have a well-taken point, FictionFan. A lot of crime fiction might be unbearably grim if there were no light moments or characters. Besides, that’s how life is. There are sad times, but there are quirky people and light moments, too. And, yes, sidekicks are great ways to make that happen!
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I always found Tommy and Tuppence Beresford very entertaining – although they have plenty of moments of peril, they have quite a bit of banter and are a most enjoyable read!
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Oh, I like that about the Beresfords, too, KBR! Their banter is terrific (and it makes them feel like an authentically married couple!), and some of the things they do really do entertain. Of course, there is danger, and it’s all sometimes very suspenseful. But that doesn’t overtake the story!
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In Anthony and William you have picked out two of my favourite Canadian authors.
I have admired how Anthony, in every book he has written, has wit amidst the drama. Russell Quant’s humour is so much like Anthony in real life. Both carry themselves lightly while working hard. Anthony has a natural humour that flows on to the page.
In Arthur Beauchamp, William has created a wonderful character with an unconscious but wicked humour. His ornate, at times pompous, manner and speech bring a smile to my face.
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I really think you’re right, Bill, about the way Anthony weaves wit into the drama of the story. There’s such a good balance there between the suspense, sorrow, etc.., and the wit that keeps spirits up. I like that mix very much in his books.
And as for William Deverell, Arthur Beauchamp’s way of looking at things can be pompous, but it does make for some really funny comments and scenes. It does make me laugh at times. It’s quite well done.
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This reminded me of The Awkward Squad by Sophie Henaff. Anne Capestan, a detective who was suspended for six months, is told to set up a new department of misfits who have various problems or just can’t get along with others. The idea is just to get rid of them, keep them hidden away. They are only allowed to solve cold cases. The members of the group all have special skills to contribute and the cases are taken seriously, but the misfit band does provide moments of humor along the way.
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Thanks for mentioning The Awkward Squad, Tracy. That group sounds like a very interesting group of characters, and yes, it’s exactly the sort of thing I had in mind with this post. It reminds me a bit of Fred Vargas’ Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg series. All of Adamsberg’s colleagues are misfits in some way, and that adds some wit to the story, although it’s not played for laughs, as the saying goes.
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Sidekicks or children often add an even lighter or more comic sense to cozy mysteries, as well.
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You make a well-taken point about sidekicks and children, Becky. When they’re done well, those characters can add a nice touch of lightness to a story. And they can be interesting characters, too.
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Yes, they can certainly add another layer!
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Absolutely!
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A novel which I read recently comes to mind. It isn’t a crime novel, and it was selected as one of this year’s Booker nominees. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. In that book there’s a character called Victor who seems to resemble Crowe. He’s a crazy doomsday prepper who ultimately plays a vital role. You should read it if you haven’t. Judging by your sense of humour and your short stories which I enjoy, I think you’ll really like it. It’s a tragicomedy though.
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I’ve heard of The Bee Sting, OP, ‘though I’ve not read it. Victor sounds like an interesting quirky character! And the book does sound like something I’d like. I appreciate the suggestion (and the kind words).
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