For me, it is important to find the right balance. In my series, I have three main characters who appear in every one of the stories. They include, Brad Frame, Sharon Porter, his assistant, and Nick Argostino, the Philadelphia police detective who is Brad's silent business partner.
Then there are characters that are important in the lives of those principal characters (family members, close friends).
The victims of crime and their family members are crucial in each of the stories, and a believable cast of suspects is also essential.
At other times, because of the setting, there are an array of other characters who are also important to the story. I want each of them to "come to life" for the reader, to be more than a cardboard cutout--or a caricature.
All of the action in TRANSPLANTED DEATH takes place within a matter of days inside of a hospital setting. I had to have medical staff, food workers, janitors, administrators, technicians, an array of patients, etc. on hand to bring the story to life. How my protagonist deals with a "minor" character helps the reader to know more about the protagonist, as well as a realistic perspective about how that person with the "walk on" part fits into the whole picture.
Similarly, in FINAL JUROR, there were numerous scenes which took place in a courtroom populated with a judge, twelve jurors, alternates, court reporter, court crier, tipstaff, court clerk, prosecutors, defense attorney, and defendant. In addition, there were relatives of the defendant, and family members of the deceased that had to be included. And then "spectators" to fill the courtroom. Whew! Making it all come to life was a challenge, and since that book is on the verge of launching--I will find out soon.
To read the opening of my latest Brad Frame mystery, click here for FINAL JUROR.
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