Genre of The Month: Crime Fiction
Crime fiction. A favourite genre of mystery lovers, thrill seekers and puzzle fanatics. Where did it come from? What inspired authors to start writing such stories? And how has the genre evolved into the genre we know and love today.
Crime Fiction: What Is It and Where Did It Come From?
Crime fiction, at its core, is a story where a mystery is solved. This is often a murder, but not always. The National Centre for Writing states that crime fiction 'challenges readers to unravel the mystery alongside the story's detective', making it a popular choice for true crime fans. This is my favourite genre, and I had a lot of fun delving into its history.
Though first recognized as an official genre during the industrial revolution, examples of crime fiction can be found dating back to the 8th century in middle- eastern folktales from the Islamic golden age. Stories such as The Three Apples are similar in structure to their modern ancestors. In this tale, a fisherman finds a locked chest and sells it to the Caliph. The chest is then opened, only to find a dead body inside. The Caliph's vizier is ordered to solve the crime in three days or else he will be executed. This simple structure of a lone detective solving a crime lasted into the Golden Age of Detective fiction (1920 to 1939). Authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle brought with them larger casts of characters, with discussions of motive throughout the stories.
How Has Crime Fiction Evolved?
Whilst golden age detective fiction focused on the crime itself, modern crime fiction often focuses on the psychological impact of the crime, for example, the focus on Rachel's spiralling mental health after the murder in Girl on The Train. The victims themselves are portrayed in detail, often having chapters dedicated to them and their voice. Novel's such as The Guest List and The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, go an extra step and don't reveal who's been murdered till the end of the novel.
My Favourite Crime Fiction Books
Some of my favourite crime fiction books are as follows:
Cosy Murder Mysteries:
Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Something a lil Dangerous
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
Fifty – Fifty by Steve Cavanagh
Murders at an event/ Party
The Guest List – Lucy Foley
The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley
That wraps up this brief study of crime fiction, its origins and why it's universally loved. Let me know what your favourite crime fiction books are, and what genre you would like me to cover next!
Love,
Em x