I write a series. In
fact, I write a serial series, since reading the Bridgeton Park Cemetery books
in order is a good idea in order to make sense of everything. And since I write
a series/serial, I pay a great deal of attention to 1) how long other authors
keep their own series going and 2) how they end it, if they choose to end it.
Everyone who knows me
knows that there are particular series I read. There are the Davenport and
Virgil Flowers series by John Sandford, there is the Sigma series by James
Rollins, and then there is the Reacher series by Lee Child. There are a few
others, too, like the Cotton Malone books from Steve Berry, and the Pendergast novels
from Douglas Preston and Lee Child. I once saw John Sandford speak at an author
signing, and he said he would never kill off his Davenport character, which I
was greatly happy to hear. I never feel the same about a series if I know it
ends with a character’s death. (Ask me if I ever read Curtain, Agatha Christie’s
finale for Hercule Poirot. Uh, that would be “no.”)
But I have read
series that have come to decent conclusions. Harry Potter comes to mind. So do
the Sookie Stackhouse books. I like the Stackhouse books so much that I couldn’t
watch the show True Blood. That aside, both JK Rowling and Charlaine Harris did
an amazing job in bringing their stories to completion. And as far as Harry P
goes, well, his universe has sprouted legs and is continuing on with different
characters anyway.
There are also series
that have continued despite the original author stepping away. James Bond is a
great example of that. I know Raymond Benson, the first writer approved by the
Fleming estate to continue with 007’s adventures. He’s a terrific writer and I’m
not surprised that he got the nod to do it. I think Sherlock Holmes has
continued in various incarnations. And I know Tony Hillerman’s legacy is being
continued by his daughter. But here’s my personal heartbreaker: I read recently
that Lee Child is stepping away from Jack Reacher and turning the entire
enterprise over to his brother, who is also a writer. That means that the last
Jack Reacher book I read –just finished, actually- is the last genuine Reacher
book as written by his creator. I will give Mr. Child’s brother a chance and
see what he does. Who knows? I hope the new books are wonderful. But boy, he’s
got big shoes to fill.
Keeping a series
going, or ending it, is a pretty dicey enterprise. I know there have been
screen and TV adaptations that fans were not thrilled with. Mention the last
show of Game of Thrones to most of its fans and then stand back so you don’t
get splashed with the vitriol that will spout forth. Ask a random Star Wars fan
about The Rise of Skywalker. And then there’s The Terminator series…
I am not writing this
because I am contemplating ending Bridgeton Park. But I do keep an eye on how
the writers I admire ply their talents to bring their characters where they
want them to go, whether that means continuing on, or ringing the final bell at
the end of numerous accounts and adventures. And like most fans, I feel sad
when a series I love comes to an end. As a writer, I understand why this would
happen and why a writer might feel the need to finish. As Willy Wonka said, “I
can’t go on forever. And I really don’t want to.” Or something to that effect.
So I totally understand the need to draw something to a close. At least, I do
as a writer. But as a reader and a fan? No matter how gracefully the end comes,
I am totally saddened when it does.
PS - Not to cause any confusion: This was the working title/cover for book three, the one that eventually became Drawing Vengeance. Thought I'd share it!
