When it comes to fictional crime, there aren’t too many bad choices. You can find books about serial killers, swashbuckling pirates, undercover cops, serial killers, the biggest meth dealers in the world, and shark hunters. And for good reason. Reading about action, mystery, and suspense is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a good crime novel. And we think you’ll agree after reading this list of the best crime novels of all time.
Many writers of this genre closely follow real-world crimes and criminals for inspiration. Depending on your interests, you may want to find out as much as you can about a crime you read about in a book, or you may want to pick up a crime novel to follow the adventures of your favorite fictional detective, or crime reporter. Regardless of the crime genre you prefer, crime books are excellent ways to develop your comprehension, increase your vocabulary, and learn new facts about the subjects they discuss.
1. The setting
It is generally agreed that good fiction needs a purpose which is accomplished to the satisfaction of the reader. As such, a work of fiction must include characters that the reader can identify with, a setting we can visualize, and a plot which advances the “story”. It is these three basic elements of fiction that a reader must “buy into” in order to enjoy a work of fiction.
Crime fiction is all about a good story with a dark side. A plot device that has been in crime fiction books for a long time is describing a crime novel setting. The setting can be the ritzy part of town or a neighborhood that’s run down. When describing a crime novel setting, a writer can explain how the city is bustling with activity, or where the crime takes place is far removed from people. A fine balance of description and action is needed when writing a crime novel setting.
2. The main characters
A crime novel is a work of fiction that depicts illegal activities. Protagonists usually have a reason to wrong and right, which involves some degree of a streak of immorality. Criminals, con artists, and thieves are always part of the plot. The relationships between criminals and the communities they disrupt change as the story progresses. The main characters are often responsible for the introduction of these crimes in the story.
When it comes to murder mysteries, the characters involved can have a huge effect. Whether they’re likable, sympathetic, or downright evil, the characters you choose for your murder mystery story often have the most important impact on its success.
3. The thrill
Mysteries are everywhere, from classic detective novels to thrillers to cozy mysteries, which feature cozily quaint sleuths solving crimes far from their previous lives. The thrill of the mystery genre is discovering behind the scenes secrets, and this gets even more exciting in fictional crime novels. Readers can get a close look at the criminals and uncover secrets by soaking up clues and unraveling conspiracies. It’s fun to be able to hunt for clues and try to see which characters have what information. It’s even better when those clues and secrets lead to an arrest.
4. The mystery
The mystery genre is a vast and expanding one, with a vast and expanding readership. The mystery genre is predominately made up of crime novels, but there are a number of sub genres within this genre that fall into mystery as well. Depending on your taste, you may enjoy mystery novels with characters who are sleuths, taking place in a dark and gritty city, or cozy books, set in a picturesque village.
A mystery is first and foremost about the crime. Whether it’s solving a murder and proving someone’s innocence or uncovering a devious plot against someone, the mystery is all about the crime. That being said, a mystery will often revolve around several smaller mysteries that intersect with the larger plot. These smaller mysteries don’t need to be solved to resolve the main plot, but they are interesting conflicts in their own right.
5. Ending
The books are like movies, you can always be ahead of the audience with the plots and action. These stories provide an escape, even when characters face real-life situations. Crime fiction books are a favorite genre of mine. From cozy mysteries to hard-boiled detectives, the stories are usually intricate and far reaching, with many characters involved. The plotlines are always enjoyable, with sometimes an ending that leaves you wondering, although that never happened to me, but it’s uncomfortable, as you wonder if the main character was in danger. The plots always follow a mystery, with a crime, usually involving murder, and a mystery as the main character.
