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Q&A Are major mystery subplot(s) in a fantasy story distracting or do they make a story more appealing?

Is it too distracting to include a major mystery subplot(s) in a fantasy story? I mean a complete subplot or subplots that the character solves. Perhaps the examples below do not qualify as mystery...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Seanchaí‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:17:01Z (about 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/43358
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar Seanchaí‭ · 2019-12-08T11:17:01Z (about 5 years ago)
Is it too distracting to include a major mystery subplot(s) in a fantasy story? I mean a complete subplot or subplots that the character solves. Perhaps the examples below do not qualify as mystery subplots.

I realized that, among many other methods, George R. R. Martin utilized mystery subplots effectively in his books to help hook the readers. I do not know if these would be labeled traditional "mystery" subplots though or simply plot twists or subplots with an element of mystery.

Examples of Game of Thrones mysteries (spoilers):

> - The mystery of who pushes Bran Stark.
> - The mystery of the murder of the King's Hand. 
> - The mystery of who poisoned the King. 
> - The mystery in the show of who is holding Theon Greyjoy hostage.
> - There is the supernatural mystery element of the White Walkers and Children as well as the abilities of Bran Stark.

The characters and their arcs are generally thought to be the hook for Game of Thrones but we see where mystery reaches some readers another way.

Thoughts?

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-03-12T05:21:49Z (almost 6 years ago)
Original score: 3