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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Is reading a murder mystery somehow better than watching one on TV?

Better on telly? Douglas Henshall and Alison O’Donnell in a BBC adaptation of Shetland. Photograph: Mark Mainz/BBC
Better on telly? Douglas Henshall and Alison O’Donnell in Shetland. Photograph: Mark Mainz/BBC/ITV Studios

People tend to think that time spent reading a book is more productive than time spent watching TV, but is that right? Is there more intrinsic benefit in, say, reading a detective murder mystery – such as one of Ann Cleeves’ Shetland books – than in watching the serialised version on the box?

Jan Jenkins, Hull

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number.

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