I think Jim captures the key separation point for
amateurs:
"Now an amateur who gets involved in one single case, because
he's wrongfully accused, because he's in the wrong place at
the wrong time, or because of some other odd circumstance,
may be credible for a single book, but not for a
series."
This would tend to distinguish so many, but not all, of the
characters of Willeford, Goodis, Thompson et al. from cozies.
These are people, often ordinary, who find themselves in an
extreme situation. It is fascinating to see how they react.
However, if you try to build the character into a series, you
have to add an element of professionalism or you have a
cozy.
When will people realize that they are playing Russian
Roulette when they socialize with a cozy detective -- having
dinner with Jessica Fletcher has more fatal consequences than
flashing hundred dollar bills in a drug zone late at
night.
Mark
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