I’m a big fan of crime fiction. I have several favorite authors whose entire oeuvre I’ve devoured, and then signed up for notification from the library when their new books are released. In my research about this addictive genre, I learned there are specific criteria recommended to authors of crime thrillers.
INTRIGUING CHARACTERS with convoluted motives, personality disorders, flaws, and unusual backstories (for both protagonist and antagonist)
PLOT TWISTS AND TURNS with surprises that keep readers shocked and engaged
PACING which alternates between fast action and thoughtful contemplation
ATMOSPHERE loaded with suspense, tension, and an ominous mood A well-crafted setting adds to the mood and tension. Dark alleyways, isolated locations, and threatening weather can all contribute to a sense of foreboding.
RED HERRINGS that lead the reader off in the wrong direction, to heighten the experience of solving the mystery
CLUES and subtle hints that foreshadow the end resolution, including seemingly irrelevant details that become significant later
These qualities of a well-crafted crime novel capture the attention of the reader, who interactively pursues the criminal alongside the protagonist. To achieve this end, several successful novelists have used real crimes as inspiration for their fictional stories. Although some schools of thought feel that authors shouldn’t exploit a real-life tragedy, there seems to be a consensus that using real crimes just as inspiration, with changed names and details, is more acceptable.
Some benefits of using true crime as an influence are:
- The author can to create more realistic villains. Dark and frighteningly believable characters based on actual people can add depth.
- The author can explore psychological factors underlying aberrant human behavior. Events that happened, and were later explained by psychiatrists, make a gripping story.
- The author can make a statement about society’s flaws and issues. They can shine a light on a milieu of violence, prejudice, ignorance, and lawless corruption helping crime flourish.
Here are a few fictional crime novels by Agatha Christie, and the true crimes that impacted her writing.
- The infamous Jack the Ripper case from 1888 was a reference for The ABC Murders.
- She used The Rugeley Poisoner event for her book The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
- The Great Train Robbery of 1963 influenced the plot of her book At Bertram’s Hotel
- Murder on the Orient Express was inspired by the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.
I hope you’ll join us to find a treasure trove of mystery/crime novels and several other genres at the Desert Foothills Book Festival! See you there on Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Holland Center, 34250 N 60th. Street, Scottsdale.
