Crime Fiction Created by Kathryn Reilly

Genre Background Crime fiction become widely popular in the late 19 th century as scientific methods became more refined and reliable. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle exists as the most famous crime author; his fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes continues to enjoy great popularity today. Crime fiction may blend elements from other genres, but centers on a crime and the process the protagonist conducts to solve it.

Common Genre Elements Other – Plot-driven novels – May include elements from other genres such as mystery or fantasy. – Crime solvers often have a partner or partners assisting them in solving the crime. – Crime fiction tends to focus on the process of solving the crime and not on the crime itself. Characters – Police – Detectives or Private Investigators May not be an official detective, but a character acting as a detective – Criminals – Witnesses Settings – Anywhere a crime can occur – Often multiple settings as the detective seeks clues to solve the crime.

Crime Genre Example Sir Arthur Conan Doyle revolutionized and popularized the genre with his clever detective, Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes solved over 50 fictional crimes, mostly in short story format. As a character, Sherlock Holmes is most famous for his logical reasoning and use of disguises. holmes.jpg

Crime Genre Example Poe penned some of the earliest crime fiction. In “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, the main character Dupin reads of two horrible murders and sets about to solve them. Using a discerning eye and logical deduction, he solves the crime by uncovering and connecting clues at the crime scene.

Modern Crime Genre Example Stieg Larsson creates a modern crime novel with many twists and turns. A wealthy family patriarch hires the protagonist, Blomkvist, to solve the decades-old murder of his niece. Blomkvist hires an assistant named Lisbeth, and together they work to solve not only the niece’s murder, but several other crimes they uncover while investigating her disappearance. content/uploads/2009/08/millennium1girldragontattoohc.jpg

Crime Genre Excerpt Excerpt from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "No, no, my dear Watson, not all--by no means all. I would suggest, for example, that a presentation to a doctor is more likely to come from a hospital than from a hunt, and that when the initials 'C.C.' are placed before that hospital the words 'Charing Cross' very naturally suggest themselves." "You may be right.“ "The probability lies in that direction. And if we take this as a working hypothesis we have a fresh basis from which to start our construction of this unknown visitor." "Well, then, supposing that 'C.C.H.' does stand for 'Charing Cross Hospital,' what further inferences may we draw?“ "Do none suggest themselves? You know my methods. Apply them!" In the conversation to the left, Holmes has asked Watson to deduce the type of man that left a cane at Holmes’ house. Watson offers several opinions, but Holmes dismisses them and then walks Watson through his perceptions of important clues from the cane. This except appears at the beginning of Doyle’s novel and serves to characterize Holmes’ method of solving crimes. Excerpt taken from: pageno=3

Crime Genre Review Crime fiction gained popularity in the late 19 th century with the onset of scientific inquiry, and continues to enjoy popularity today. A crime novel immediately introduces a crime, and a protagonist, working as an official or unofficial detective, identifies and connects clues to solve the case. The crime genre may borrow elements from other genres, such as fantasy, if for example, the crime was committed by a supernatural being.