It depends. That seems to be primary answer when researching this question. This in an artistic endeavor that seems to love hard and fast rules. Proper grammar. Don’t start with the weather. Show don’t tell. Active is better than passive. Write what you know. And, of course, break any of these rules that you want and if the book sells you will be considered a genius.

So, I am going to pose the question to you, dear reader? What do you think?

I am currently writing 1956, the second in my Jazz Jones & January Queen historical PI mystery series. This is told through the eyes of Jazz, occasionally January, and from the perspective of four potential baddies as well. Not to mention the two mysterious henchmen who work for whichever suspect turns out to be the villain. These perspectives are only gently sprinkled in as Jazz Jones takes the lead for the bulk of the book. Jazz has five people, friends and family, who he interacts with and are reoccurring from book one. There are also three clients who have hired Jazz to investigate for them. Of course, there are fleeting characters who might have a name but don’t deserve a credit at the end of the movie.

By my count, the tally has reached sixteen characters in 1955 that the reader must identify with and keep straight in their head. Too many? Too few? Just right? What says you, Goldilocks?

I am also in the process of editing my third in the Chronicles of Max Creed series, Max Creed Takes the Spice Road. In this contemporary international thriller, Max has put together a vigilante band of justice seekers not unlike Robin Hood and his Merry Men. His team includes five regulars, John, Scarlett, Marian, Tucker, and Scads. Their clandestine government liaison, Sevyn Knight, is also the romantic interest. The initial target is Alex Bergmann, but other potential enemies include Bart and Coen Vos, Cleo Dearlove, Pandora, Director Morris, and General Dawson.

By my count, the tally has reached fourteen characters in Max Creed Takes the Spice Road. This is right in line with 1955. Perhaps I have a sweet spot? Fourteen to sixteen?

How Danger Got His Bark

I am also looking for a home for Bob Chicago Investigates, who also happens to be the protagonist. We then adorn him with a cast of colorful characters that include Mandisa, Giggles, and Junko. And we can’t forget his sidekick, Danger, the supermutt. In this mystery, we weave in a spectrum of six potential villains and a mysterious Japanese samurai warrior on horseback.

It appears that the sweet number for Bob Chicago Investigates was twelve. This expands the range slightly, but not much.

Do you, the reader think, that twelve to sixteen characters with significant roles in a mystery or thriller is a good number?

About the Author

Matt Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.

Cost has published six books in the Mainely Mystery series, starting with Mainely Power. He has also published six books in the Clay Wolfe Trap series, starting with Wolfe Trap. There are two books in the Brooklyn 8 Ballo series, starting with Velma Gone Awry. For historical novels, Cost has published At Every Hazard and its sequel, Love in a Time of Hate, as well as I am Cuba. The Not So Merry Adventures of Max Creed began a new series this past April. Glow Trap is his eighteenth published book.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. They have been replaced in the home with four dogs. Cost now spends his days at the computer, writing.