GET A MYSTERYCLUE is designed to be a weekly, fun column where Shannon Muir takes an idea that comes to mind and just runs with it, to see what she learns along the way. This week finds Shannon thinking about the various aspects of crime – starting with the “who”.

There wouldn’t be a mystery without the “whodunit” aspect. Even though the methods used are uncovered, the core of these stories involve finding out who could pull off (or thought they could pull off!) a crime.

In my personal writing, who needs to commit the crime is often developed in parallel or before the crime. Others stage the crime first, and then figure who is behind it.

Next time: my thoughts on the “what” of crime.

In the interim, think about what the “who” of crime means to you.