Crime and literature have a rich history together. Daniel J. Kornstein says, "Literature and crime live in happy symbiosis. Literature often depends on crime for a good story, and that story often in turn yields important insights about crime." (Source) Regardless of the magnitude of the crime, whether it involves breaking a taboo or outright murder, the perpetrator arrives at a moment of decision and chooses to commit it. Not everyone turns to crime when the opportunity arises. Getting inside the mind that does provides fascinating fodder for fiction.
A wonderful selection of articles on the topic of crime in literature can be found HERE.
She is one of my favorite crime fiction authors.
Who's yours?
37 comments:
Oh! I love Kathy Reichs, too! I've read all her Temperance Brennan books, and I can't wait until the next one comes out.
I'm really big into mysteries in books and tv. It's really hard to pick favorites, though.
Sounds really interesting what you're doing. However, I do hope it's only documentation and no practice!!
I love your blog, there's so many different subjects, it's great.
I think the closest I come to crime writers are Preston and Child and their Pendergast books.
Wow, that's really interesting. I've always wondered how law abiding citizens actually do get into a criminal mind. What kind of research do you do, Nicole? How do become the criminal mind you are writing to make it realistic? I'm an explorer of the human condition too, but this condition I think would be beyond my potential. But I sure do find it fascinating!
I've never read much crime fiction. Though I suppose it's in a lot of works. Take Harry Potter, for example. Artemis Fowl was fun, and I guess that's crime fiction. So maybe I've read more than I thought.
Interesting description of the psyche of a criminal though.
I'm a huge fan of crime fiction - and I read a lot of true crime as well. I so want to write a crime-based novel/thriller one day.
Even though this is one of my favorite genres to read, I don't think I have a true favorite - although, I agree, Kathy Reichs is great.
Kudos to your for writing crime. I think that's VERY difficult! All those puzzle pieces and elements of suspense. My first book (that I'm still trying to work the kinks out of) is romantic suspense and it's driving me insane! The supsense part that is...I've got the romance part down. LOL. So, good luck!
~JD
Cherie~ She is amazing! I think Temperance and Kathy are the same "character," but Kathy's writing style is so hypnotic that I don't question her creativity for a second!
Sarah~ Thanks! And no, I'm not a practicing criminal LOL!!
Alex~ I'll have to check them out :)
Jessica~ It's not going to be easy to fully understand the dynamic. But, I have experienced crushing depression before, the kind where you're sure everyone around you thinks you're as bad as you think you are. In those moments, I've felt like I don't give a damn about right and wrong. No consequence seemed threatening enough to curb my thoughts. I take myself back to those dark days when I'm writing Ray's chapters. So far, so good...
Janet~ I agree! My novel isn't crime fiction -- it's more commercial fiction. But like you said, you find crime across genres in literature.
Jaydee~ Crime fiction is engrossing and fun to read -- especially in the summer, don't you think?
Justine~ Mine's not crime fiction either, there's just a crime aspect. But you're right, the plot becomes a puzzle with lots of places where logic can fail you if you're not careful. Challenging!!
It always fascinates me how crime writers do it. It is difficult. I will have to add that book to my list sounds interesting.
Thanks!
Your manuscript sounds very interesting! I like the way you have written about the shift to outlaw. It makes me keen to read your books. (Note the way I say 'books' - oh yes!)
Crime fiction - not really a genre I seem to pick up, unless it is a 'whodunnit'. But no reason why not to read it, especially... actually I think the generic look of some of the covers of crime fiction seem to turn me off for some reason.
I don't read a whole lot of crime fiction. It's a world I don't understand, but that would probably make me an ideal audience, wouldn't it?
Sadly, it's not a genre I read!
Sounds fascinating, Nicole. I would love to be more of a character-driven writer. I'm learning! Thanks for the terrific link to all of those articles, I will definitely be checking them out.
I love Micheal Slade and his writing about the Special X Division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (very grizzly and taboo stuff there), as well as Patricia Cornwell's Dr, Kay Scarpetta series.
Thanks for asking.
I used to be a huge Patricia Cornwell fan, but I stopped reading her many years ago when she started getting too much into the killers' minds. It just wasn't a place I want to be. A little bit is okay, but if they're too sick and twisted it just makes me uncomfortable. What you mentioned, about someone in a downward spiral, would be completely different from a really messed up psychopath.
Oo, creepy. ;) But you've got a good foundation. If the characters don't have depth, it won't matter how good the overall story is. People will just get stuck thinking about how lame the character was. ;)
Good luck!
I haven't read any crime fiction in ages. I tend to read in YA fiction at this point. Interesting post though. :)
Michael Connelly is my latest infatuation...but I think my all-time favorite is Ed McBain.
wow fascinating!! i don't usually read crime fiction so i know little about it, but this post was so informative!
thanks for the info :D
I haven't read enough crime fiction to have a favorite. I should branch out a little and give it a try. Thanks for the link. This is some good info. :)
Very interesting. Am I okay in saying that I find crime, horror, mystery and thrillers cross each other when it comes to genre? I'm not sure I can draw a distinct line between the four. I enjoy a really good story and your description sounds like it will be a really great read!
I neither read nor write crime stories, but I do find them interesting. It sounds like you're writing something fascinating, and I'd love to read it someday. :) Thanks for this peek into the crime-writing world!
Nice premise! I love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing!
I'm hosting my first ever blog contest and I hope you can stop by sometime and take a look! The Pay it Forward Giveaway is underway! :D
I don't have a favorite crime writer. The one you list sounds good and I think I'll add it to my to read list. Yours sounds good, too. I will definitely want to read it!
I don't really read crime fiction, actually all I've read lately is YA. But I did read a YA crime novel, well sort of. It's "The Body Finder" by Kimberly Derting and it's fabulous!!
I've never read crime fiction before but if given a life line I would call my mom, she loves to read those crime stories, she loves serial killer books for the characters in them!
I'm with Kimberly Franklin The Body Finder was an incredible book!
I just checked out my first Kathy Reichs book and can't wait to get started on it. My favorite go to crime fiction writer is Greg Iles. Love his stuff!
I'm a huge fan of true crime. Two of my favorites are Ann Rule and Harold Schechter. Harold specializes in true historical serial murderers-fascinating stuff!
I'm another Kathy Reichs fan - great stuff!
I'm reading Columbine by Dave Cullen. Just started it. True-life crime is my favorite. Chilling, but absolutely mesmerizing when handled by someone like Cullen.
BTW, I can't access your About Me. And your blogroll doesn't come up, either. I'm also having a hard time reading black type against dark blue background. Are these problems coming from my end?? Is anyone else having such problems? I've been having problems lately with all kinds of things, so maybe it's just me....
There is no beating Raymond Chandler. If you want to read just one book of his, read THE LONG GOODBYE, his best.
Next is Robert B. Parker, sadly just recently deceased. His Spenser is witty, reflective, and in love with one very wise woman (a rarity in crime series.} LOOKING FOR RACHEL WALLACE, a pro-Lesbian novel at a time when it was nearly suicide to write one.
He also wrote a YA novel of Spenser when he was 14 years old, told in the present to the love of his life, Susan Silverman, a psychologist. CHASING THE BEAR is its title.
I look forward to reading your LET'S TALK entry tomorrow. Due to threatening weather, I had to post mine tonight, Roland
Yikes, I admit, I don't read a lot of crime. When I was younger I used to read Mary Higgins Clarke and I really enjoyed her plots. But that's about as criminal as I get, I'm afraid!
Thanks for the links. I read a lot of murder mysteries. I have so many favorite authors. My all time favorite is Raymond Chandler.
I used to read medical thrillers, especially by Robin Cook. I'm not sure if that's considered crime fiction.
Now I only read YA. :D
Thanks for visiting my blog Write O live and leaving a comment:) I'm a big fan of reading crime, but not the best at writing it. I am fascinated (and envious!) at how crime writers can come up with plot after plot
I love your blog, there's so many different subjects, it's great.
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