335. Is the Real Monster Always the Secret Plot-Twist You’d Least Expect?

Some people tell us, “Monsters lurk everywhere. But they never, ever look like monsters.” Or do they? They also suggest, “Usually the most obvious ‘villain’ is in fact the innocent victim who’s been traumatized by another more terrible monster you never would have suspected.” Or is that really true? Many narrative-makers seem to think so, from pundits to true-crime podcasters to major fantastical franchises. We’ll explore how fans may get sick of the constant misdirection that’s now become predictable in fiction—and has even corrupted real justice as many defenses of evildoers deflect their blame into the shadows.[1. Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash.]

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Mission update

New review at Lorehaven: review of The Fish in Jonah’s Puddle

New article: I Found These Fifteen Christian Fantasy Novels Whose Heroes Escape Slavery for Freedom by Caylah Coffeen

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1. Traditional villains can still get plot twists

Fairy tales, superhero stories, and Westerns show clear bad guys.

Detective stories, suspense, and other genres hide them until later.