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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/32169
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I'm working on the finishing touches of a story that has as part of the plot a possibly-supernatural mystery. I'm feeling rather nervous about the whole thing though because said mystery isn't the focus of the story- the focus the characters who get involved, their relationships with one another, and where their decisions lead them in the story; the mystery is really just a way to explore the characters and their arcs (but is still necessary to the story thematically and plot-wise). Because of that, despite seeing the characters working on solving the mystery, I'm not inclined to actually answer the question of 'whodunit'- it isn't relevant to the larger story or the characters' individual journeys.

I'm afraid that readers will interpret this as a lack of resolution though and end up frustrated with the story, which isn't what I'm going for. What are your thoughts? Should the story end with the mystery solved? Or is it okay to leave it unfinished if the characters' arcs have been resolved?

Original score: 12