Traceable back to the earliest forms of human story-telling, including the bible tale of Cain and Abel and Greek mythology, the roots of crime fiction have a long-standing history – and plenty of experience in building tension.
There are a number of different terms out there that can be used to describe a crime novel, from detective stories and police novels to murder mysteries. However, when it comes to Victoria Freudenheim Book Reviews, we’ve focused on the best crime novels that centre around the investigation of a core criminal act – often the chilliest tales.
What makes a crime novel?
As we mentioned, to be classed as a crime novel, a crime of sorts has to be involved; and, typically, be solved by the protagonists before the story concludes.
Detective and crime novels often involve a classic ‘good triumphs over evil’ spin, a sense of satisfaction that the good guys win, and an opportunity for readers to escape into a world outside of the norm. Ultimately, it makes sense that in a crime novel, crime plays a pivotal role in the plot – but the scope of that crime can be vast and varied, meaning there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy.
From the classic tales by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, to modern crime writers like Peter James and Ruth Rendell, there’s no shortage of incredible crime novels to enjoy.
Your new favourite crime novel
Ready to be hooked by the quest to find out who did it? Want to know who needs to be brought to justice? Check out Victoria Freudenheim’s ratings of the best crime novels here.
