Nothing is taboo if you do it right

At Kill Zone Blog, a post by PJ Parrish: Is anything really taboo in today’s crime fiction?

Which is, of course, a question that applies equally to all fiction.

We often hear there are some things you should never do in mysteries and thrillers. … Here’s just a few of the no-no’s I know:

Don’t deal with abused children because readers can’t take it.
Don’t write about religion because it’s too personal.
Don’t write about politics because it’s too divisive and partisan.
Steer clear of graphic violence and sex.
And never, ever, kill an animal.

I still remember how amused I was in the movie “Up” when all the dogs got parachutes — something that the human bad guy did not get. Mind you, I agree with this taboo, basically. If an author kills a dog or other pet, I’m not likely to become a big fan, even if I finish that book.

However, the conclusion Parrish comes to is this: there are no taboos, but for heaven’s sake do not let your Message overwhelm your story. Parrish says:

I read a crime novel recently by an Edgar-winning writer. The writing was elegant, the plot set-up tantalyzing. I really liked the protag. But about halfway through, I found myself getting irritated. Why? Because the writer started shouting about the devastation of the environment and it was drowning out the story. … you have to deal with a touchy subject always with the idea that it must organically support the story. [emphasis mine].

Yes yes yes! That’s the important thing.

But even though I agree there’s no absolute taboos in fiction, including no absolute taboo against killing pets … honestly. Don’t do that.

Out of curiosity, is there death-of-a-pet in fiction that worked for you and did not turn you off? I can’t think of any examples for me. 

When the pet dies, but not really, that’s different. When Kathleen thinks Sirius is dead in Dogsbody, that’s sad, but Sirius was never actually a dog and does not actually die. Personally, that’s the closest I can come.

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