>But the structure of the novels I've read (about 20 over the past
>three years) seems to involve the unfolding of some mystery, some
>surprise, some unexpected turn of events. I like the way Iris
>Murdoch does it ... but after awhile... I find it rather tedious.
>Litcritters, help me out here. is this just then way it is with all novels.
I'm not a litcritter but I nose around in used bookstores a lot.
Try running "auster detective fiction" (without quotes) in Google and take a look around. The related searches at the bottom might be fruitful too.