Most annoying MCT cliches

[Maureen]

Anita wrote: "Where do I begin? I just finished a book where the H/h were going on 48 hours without sleep, yet still have the energy for wall banging sex and get right up to go chase the baddie. Really?"

Hey, I resemble that remark. I was a S/A mostly undercover and my life was EGGZACTLY like that. (Now excuse me while I myself pick myself off the floor from laughing.)
Although I will say, I was the case agent for once instead of the the UC and I ended up marrying my UC.

[Kirsten]

I am sick and tired of the kickass detective with emotional scarring who seems to have had her femininity surgically removed.

[M.A.R.]

Agreed, my Matti James character is tough but is ready to fall in love, cares about her friends and colleagues, and winces at the sight of blood. She's a forensic facial reconstruction artist who talks to the skulls as she works on, because she respects them as human beings, not inanimate objects. She's had one failed marriage, but hasn't given up. Best of all, emotionally, she's moved on.

To carry your pet peeve further -- I hate the British detectives who are unable to talk to women or form relationships with them. They're too cerebral, tongue-tied, or insecure. HATE THAT.

[James]

My pet peeve is when a series (such as Longmire) turns itself into a soap opera by making the stories more about the characters problems than about solving the damn crime!

[Betsy]

I think that's a problem with many written mysteries too. I read or listen for the mystery not to hear about the PRIVATE lives of the detectives. That's the main reason I have given up on cozies after a brief fling, and will stick to police procedurals. Unfortunately, even those have become more private life-oriented. I suspect it's because authors have an agenda they want to throw in for 'interest'.

[David]

In general, I agree with you, Betsy. But sometimes I think authors include bits and pieces of the detective's private life to show that he or she is not an automaton who exists only to solve crimes.

[Betsy]

I don't mind some background, but not when the book/film becomes a soap opera.

[Maureen]

Attention ALL police officers, undercovers, narcotics officers and spys* You CAN NOT shag or even snog with your target, your target's friends or anyone you come across while under. You can not even suggest that other undercovers have done so.
This means you Lacey Flint, or Antoinette Conway or Charlie or the myriad other books where this comes up. You. Just. Can. Not. If you feel the need to, you suck at your job. Can you imagine bringing a case before a prosecutor where you have shagged the target?
Please authors, I'm begging you. If there is a romantic spark, and the target is innocent, let it spark, let them join forces but no fooling around until target is clear.

The only exception are spies, where they are most likely going to end up killing the target.

[Laurence]

Maureen:
You are quite correct. Fiction writers may do what they will. However in real life I am not aware of any situation when the sworn officer/agent liaison with any member of the other side has resulted in anything but trouble, if not tragedy.
LG

[Maureen]

I did get a marriage proposal and a gun as a gift. I never even kissed the guy. He wasn't really a target, but he unwittingly led me to some targets. Of course I returned the gun.

As I've mentioned before on other threads (I repeat myself, but I think it's funny.) I did marry my UC, not that he was my UC very often, nor was I the case agent very often.

[Diane]

John wrote:


the smell of copper (when referring to blood at a crime scene. If its a detective, somewha..."

I must have an odd nose because blood always smells more like iron to me than copper.