MURDER OFFLINE AND ONLINE: COMPARING E-PISTOLARY AND TRADITIONAL NARRATIVES IN THE APPEAL AND BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD

Abstract

This study examines the evolving nature of epistolary narratives in the digital age by comparing traditional and e-pistolary storytelling techniques in two contemporary crime novels: Janice Hallett’s The Appeal and Attica Locke’s Bluebird, Bluebird. Employing a theoretical framework combining digital narratology (as developed by scholars like Marie-Laure Ryan and Janet Murray) and media-specific analysis (proposed by N. Katherine Hayles), the research paper explores how the shift from traditional to digital communication impacts narrative structure, character development and reader engagement in murder mystery narratives. It investigates the unique attributes of e-pistolary writing, including the use of emojis, internet slang and multimedia elements, analysing how these digital affordances influence narrative voice, pacing and the reader’s interpretative process. The study also considers the potential for augmented reality and interactive narratives in digital epistolary works, examining their implications for the genre’s future. The comparative analysis reveals that while The Appeal leverages e-pistolary techniques to create a multi-layered, interactive reading experience, Bluebird, Bluebird employs traditional narrative methods to evoke a sense of place and history. This juxtaposition highlights the strengths and limitations of both approaches in crafting compelling murder mysteries. The findings suggest that e-pistolary narratives offer new possibilities for reader immersion and non-linear storytelling, while traditional narratives maintain their power in delivering atmospheric, character-driven tales. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the evolution of literary forms in the digital era and provides insights into the future of crime fiction storytelling.