Sue Grafton explains all

Or at least, she tells the Book Standard whatever she wants in relation to the upcoming release of S IS FOR SILENCE, due out in December:

KR: What separates a good mystery novel from a bad one?



SG: A good mystery novel is clever, artful, well-constructed,
complex, textured, and engaging. A bad mystery novel is clumsy,
simplistic, and labored. I think of mystery novelists as the
neurosurgeons of literature. You better be good at what you do because
the work requires skill and delicacy and if you bungle it, the patient
either dies or ends up a mess.

“The neurosurgeons of literature?” Damn, gotta love that…