Crime Fiction Writing Guides
Craft guides on plotting, suspense, dialogue, and character — from Phillip Strang, author of 150+ crime novels. Practical techniques from the writing desk.
Crime fiction operates within unspoken boundaries that authors cross at their peril. Understanding which taboos readers will tolerate—and which will send them fleeing—determines whether your psychological thriller becomes compelling or simply repulsive.
Across eighteen series and more than 150 novels,...
The classic crime fiction canon isn’t just literary history—it’s a masterclass in technique that every working author should study with the same intensity they’d bring to dissecting a crime scene. These foundational works established the conventions we either follow or deliberately...
Crime short stories operate under fundamentally different narrative physics than novels, yet most crime writers approach them as miniaturized versions of their longer work. This assumption destroys more promising short fiction than any other single mistake. The compressed timeframe, singular focus, and...
Crime fiction anthologies demand a completely different skill set than novel writing, requiring authors to compress all the essential elements of compelling crime fiction into a fraction of the space. The challenge isn’t simply cutting scenes or reducing subplots—it’s reimagining how character...
The line between crime fiction and literary fiction isn’t disappearing—it’s being deliberately erased by writers who refuse to choose between compelling plots and elevated prose. This isn’t about literary authors slumming it in genre territory or crime writers putting on airs, but about...
Writing crime fiction that will cross language barriers forces you to confront fundamental questions about how culture shapes character motivation, dialogue authenticity, and the very structure of suspense. The mechanics of a murder investigation might translate readily enough, but the social dynamics...
Crime fiction carries a unique responsibility among literary genres—it must entertain while holding up a mirror to society’s darkest impulses and systemic failures. The question isn’t whether crime writers should engage with social issues, but how to do so without turning compelling narratives...
The relationship between crime fiction and current events presents a delicate balance between relevance and exploitation. Real-world tragedies, emerging criminal patterns, and shifting social dynamics offer rich material for crime writers, yet transforming headlines into compelling fiction requires more...
The crime fiction landscape of 2026 presents both unprecedented opportunities and stark realities for working authors. Reader expectations have crystallised around certain conventions while simultaneously demanding fresh approaches that avoid formulaic storytelling. Publishing platforms have multiplied,...
Crime fiction commands an almost primal hold over readers that transcends cultural boundaries and demographic lines. The genre consistently dominates bestseller lists, yet the reasons why readers gravitate toward stories of murder, corruption, and justice run far deeper than simple entertainment value.
Across...
The challenge of embedding morality in crime fiction lies not in deciding what’s right or wrong, but in allowing characters to wrestle with ethical complexity without turning your novel into a sermon. When a detective faces corruption within their own ranks or a criminal discovers an innocent victim...
Atmosphere in crime fiction isn’t decoration—it’s the invisible hand that guides your reader’s emotional response before they even realize what’s happening. The difference between a forgettable procedural and a book that haunts readers lies not in the complexity of your plot,...