While crime is often depicted on television and the movies the novel remains an endearing source of entertainment in this genre. One of the big reasons is that it allows the reader to imagine that character and to create the world in their mind for themselves. This is very much the case with crime thriller novels and there are a wide array of titles to choose from that are likely to suit your personal taste.
Before looking at the genre it is important to think how you would define the genre. There are different types of crime thriller. One version people forget is the true crime genre. This is where a writer talks about real life murders, gangs and so forth but presents them in the manner of a detective story.
Naturally it is hard to mention detectives without mentioning Sherlock Holmes. This is a character who has appeared in countless plays, films and television series. It seems that every generation at some point rediscovers this character. In many senses he is the quintessential detective, a man capable of analysing the entire life of a person based on the dust on his hat.
This kind of thriller also has a certain kind of narrative voice. It is usually in the first person and from the perspective of the detective. It tends to follow the heroic narrative tradition albeit the hero is not going to a world of fantasy but a world of murky morals and corruption.
While this is one type of thriller there are variations. One interesting psychological spin has come from the Hannibal series of novels. In The Silence of The Lambs we have a detective who has to rely on a prisoner for information on a killer. The twist is that this prisoner is the infamous Hannibal Lecter, an intellectual genius who is also a murderer and a cannibal.
Cynicism tends to be a strong part of this kind of work. However there are also more accessible works. Agatha Christie created engaging detective characters such as Miss Marple and Poirot. Unlike the noir protagonists these characters seemed more engaged with society. Despite investigating horrible murders these characters seemed to be able to maintain their dignity.
It should be said that there are plenty of more lighthearted stories as well in this genre such as the work of Alexander McCall Smith. In these stories the main character tends to be more charming and there is more of a sense of a warmer character despite investigating the murder. This is the literary equivalent of TV shows such as Columbo.
There are a lot of titles available online. Some are written by established authors. However with the rise of electronic book devices there are more opportunities to find works by undiscovered authors that are not signed with recognised publishing houses. It is also worth checking online for feedback from fellow crime fans to find the ideal title to suit your personal tastes.
Before looking at the genre it is important to think how you would define the genre. There are different types of crime thriller. One version people forget is the true crime genre. This is where a writer talks about real life murders, gangs and so forth but presents them in the manner of a detective story.
Naturally it is hard to mention detectives without mentioning Sherlock Holmes. This is a character who has appeared in countless plays, films and television series. It seems that every generation at some point rediscovers this character. In many senses he is the quintessential detective, a man capable of analysing the entire life of a person based on the dust on his hat.
This kind of thriller also has a certain kind of narrative voice. It is usually in the first person and from the perspective of the detective. It tends to follow the heroic narrative tradition albeit the hero is not going to a world of fantasy but a world of murky morals and corruption.
While this is one type of thriller there are variations. One interesting psychological spin has come from the Hannibal series of novels. In The Silence of The Lambs we have a detective who has to rely on a prisoner for information on a killer. The twist is that this prisoner is the infamous Hannibal Lecter, an intellectual genius who is also a murderer and a cannibal.
Cynicism tends to be a strong part of this kind of work. However there are also more accessible works. Agatha Christie created engaging detective characters such as Miss Marple and Poirot. Unlike the noir protagonists these characters seemed more engaged with society. Despite investigating horrible murders these characters seemed to be able to maintain their dignity.
It should be said that there are plenty of more lighthearted stories as well in this genre such as the work of Alexander McCall Smith. In these stories the main character tends to be more charming and there is more of a sense of a warmer character despite investigating the murder. This is the literary equivalent of TV shows such as Columbo.
There are a lot of titles available online. Some are written by established authors. However with the rise of electronic book devices there are more opportunities to find works by undiscovered authors that are not signed with recognised publishing houses. It is also worth checking online for feedback from fellow crime fans to find the ideal title to suit your personal tastes.
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