Community Corner
Pima County Public Library Shared 'Whodunit? Mysteries, Thrillers, And Crime'
There's been much debate over the years about what exactly defines each genre.
December 11, 2020
The first thing to note about these genres is that they’re always getting mixed up. There’s been much debate over the years about what exactly defines each genre. Here’s a few clues to cracking the case!
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Mystery:
A crime is committed—almost always a murder—and the action of the story is the solution of that crime: determining who did it and why, and obtaining some form of justice. These are puzzles to be solved through investigation of some kind. This is usually the least violent of the three genres.
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Thriller:
A thriller novel devotes most of its focus to suspense, dread, and the fear of a future crime—instead of one that’s already happened. In a thriller, the bad guy is often established early on, and the main characters must work to stop them from doing evil. Crimes may still occur, but it’s more about the chase rather than solving the case.
Crime:
In this genre the focus is on the contest of wills between the lawman hero and the outlaw villain, and their differing views of morality and the aspects of society they represent. The greatest crime stories deal with a moral accounting on the part of the hero for his entire life, or provide some new perspective on the tension between society and the individual. Like thrillers, this is about the chase. However, it is more of a cat-and-mouse type of narrative, where we know early on who our “hero” and our “villain” are.
These three genres certainly cross over, but each has unique qualities that appeal to different readers. If you’re looking to “participate” in solving a crime or many crimes, mysteries are for you. If you want to see the hero and villain in battle, crime novels are right up your alley. If you want to see the protagonist save the day before (or soon after) complete mayhem and destruction ensue, thrillers are the way to go.
It is important to note that horror is an entirely different genre of its own. While there could be horror elements within mysteries, thrillers, or crime novels, they are not defined as horror. Thrillers come closest to the horror genre because they evoke dread in the reader; however, thrillers provide more action sequences throughout the plot.
Since these genres can cover a multitude of categories, many subgenres have emerged:
Police Procedural:
The hero of the story is a police force/unit. The hero tends to be more world-weary than bitter—but that ice can get slippery. Special focuses are on police tactics, squad-room psychology, station-house politics, and the tensions between the police and politicians, the media and the citizenry.
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
Sworn to Silence Sworn to Silence
Castillo, LindaCastillo, Linda
Book, 2009Available View detailsView details for Sworn to Silence, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Sworn to SilenceBook by Castillo, Linda to your for later shelfAdd Sworn to SilenceBook by Castillo, Linda to a different shelf
The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan
The Unquiet Dead The Unquiet Dead
Book, 2015Available View detailsView details for The Unquiet Dead, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd The Unquiet DeadBook by Khan, Ausma Zehanat to your for later shelfAdd The Unquiet DeadBook by Khan, Ausma Zehanat to a different shelf
Cozy Mystery:
These stories almost always follow an amateur sleuth who does not usually solve mysteries, i.e. a baker, a librarian, a retired teacher, etc. Usually set in an idyllic small town or a subset of a larger community, most of the main characters know each other, which makes the crime (usually a murder) all the more shocking. However, these mysteries do not have gory violence, profanity, or sex. Justice triumphs in the end, and the world returns to its original tranquility.
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
A Deadly Inside Scoop A Deadly Inside Scoop
Book, 2020Available View detailsView details for A Deadly Inside Scoop, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd A Deadly Inside ScoopBook by Collette, Abby to your for later shelfAdd A Deadly Inside ScoopBook by Collette, Abby to a different shelf
Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
Death by Dumpling Death by Dumpling
Paperback, 2018All copies in useView detailsView details for Death by Dumpling, Paperback, All copies in useHolds: 6 on 5 copiesPlace holdFor LaterAdd Death by DumplingPaperback by Chien, Vivien to your for later shelfAdd Death by DumplingPaperback by Chien, Vivien to a different shelf
Locked Room Mysteries:
“In a "locked room" mystery, a murder (or other crime) happens in a room that seems to be completely, well, locked to the outside world; typically from the inside. So in order to solve the crime, the detective has to figure out not only who committed it but also why the scene of the crime is a locked room in the first place, and how the perpetrator managed to get in and out of the room and leave it behind apparently locked from the inside. -- Sometimes, the locked room is also used as a decoy or in order to provide the murderer with an apparently unbreakable alibi for a crime committed somewhere else” (Goodreads).
They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
They All Fall Down They All Fall Down
Hall, Rachel HowzellHall, Rachel Howzell
Book, 2019Available View detailsView details for They All Fall Down, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd They All Fall DownBook by Hall, Rachel Howzell to your for later shelfAdd They All Fall DownBook by Hall, Rachel Howzell to a different shelf
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
An Unwanted Guest An Unwanted Guest
A NovelLapena, ShariLapena, Shari
eBook, 2018All copies in useHolds: 1 on 4 copiesPlace holdFor LaterAdd An Unwanted GuesteBook by Lapena, Shari to your for later shelfAdd An Unwanted GuesteBook by Lapena, Shari to a different shelf
Hard-Boiled Detective:
Hardboiled crime novels are realistic and usually feature a tough private eye, detective, or police officer. The moral view is often that of hard-won experience in the service of innocence or decency.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Maltese Falcon The Maltese Falcon
Hammett, DashiellHammett, Dashiell
Downloadable Audiobook, 2012AvailableCheck outFor LaterAdd The Maltese FalconDownloadable Audiobook by Hammett, Dashiell to your for later shelfAdd The Maltese FalconDownloadable Audiobook by Hammett, Dashiell to a different shelf
Noir:
The “hero” finds himself/herself/themselves in some sort of desperate situation, or is tempted into one by an opportunity he sees as his last, best chance at the brass ring. The lure of sex or money routinely leads to violence and often betrayal. If the hero is a cop, the reader is never quite sure whether he’s/she’s going to solve a crime or commit one. Or both.
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
Devil in a Blue Dress Devil in a Blue Dress
Easy Rawlins Mystery Series, Book 1Mosley, WalterMosley, Walter
eBook, 2010All copies in useHolds: 4 on 1 copyPlace holdFor LaterAdd Devil in a Blue DresseBook by Mosley, Walter to your for later shelfAdd Devil in a Blue DresseBook by Mosley, Walter to a different shelf
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock
The Devil All the Time The Devil All the Time
Pollock, Donald Ray, 1954-Pollock, Donald Ray, 1954-
Book, 2011All copies in useView detailsView details for The Devil All the Time, Book, All copies in useHolds: 1 on 5 copiesPlace holdFor LaterAdd The Devil All the TimeBook by Pollock, Donald Ray to your for later shelfAdd The Devil All the TimeBook by Pollock, Donald Ray to a different shelf
True Crime:
These crimes stories, which cross-pollinate with the historical fiction genre, tell tales of crimes that actually happened at some point in history. The real-life non-fiction origins of these crime thrillers heighten the stakes and grip readers.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood In Cold Blood
a True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its ConsequencesCapote, Truman, 1924-1984Capote, Truman, 1924-1984
Book, 1996Available View detailsView details for In Cold Blood, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd In Cold BloodBook by Capote, Truman to your for later shelfAdd In Cold BloodBook by Capote, Truman to a different shelf
Savage Appetites by Rachel Monroe
Savage Appetites Savage Appetites
Four True Stories of Women, Crime, and ObsessionMonroe, RachelMonroe, Rachel
Book, 2019Available View detailsView details for Savage Appetites, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Savage AppetitesBook by Monroe, Rachel to your for later shelfAdd Savage AppetitesBook by Monroe, Rachel to a different shelf
Psychological Suspense Thrillers:
Here, the threat is still diabolical but more contained, even intimate—usually targeting the protagonist and/or his family—and the hero is often a relatively “ordinary” man, woman or child. This is an extremely popular subgenre in books, movie, and T.V.
I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
I Am Watching You I Am Watching You
Driscoll, TeresaDriscoll, Teresa
Book, 2017Available View detailsView details for I Am Watching You, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd I Am Watching YouBook by Driscoll, Teresa to your for later shelfAdd I Am Watching YouBook by Driscoll, Teresa to a different shelf
The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal
The Lost Ones The Lost Ones
Book, 2017Available View detailsView details for The Lost Ones, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd The Lost OnesBook by Kamal, Sheena to your for later shelfAdd The Lost OnesBook by Kamal, Sheena to a different shelf
Legal Thrillers:
“The legal thriller is a sub-genre of thriller and crime fiction in which the major characters are lawyers and their employees. The system of justice itself is always a major part of these works, at times almost functioning as one of the characters” (Goodreads).
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
Miracle Creek Miracle Creek
A NovelKim, AngieKim, Angie
eBook, 2019AvailableCheck outFor LaterAdd Miracle CreekeBook by Kim, Angie to your for later shelfAdd Miracle CreekeBook by Kim, Angie to a different shelf
A Gambler's Jury by Victor Methos
A Gambler's Jury A Gambler's Jury
Book, 2018Available View detailsView details for A Gambler's Jury, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd A Gambler's JuryBook by Methos, Victor to your for later shelfAdd A Gambler's JuryBook by Methos, Victor to a different shelf
Supernatural Thrillers:
This subgenre is something of a hybrid, in that the nemesis presents an overwhelming threat—he might be Satan himself—and yet that threat is often focused on a single soul or a mere few, rather than the whole of mankind, at least within the story.
Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn
Within These Walls Within These Walls
a NovelAhlborn, AniaAhlborn, Ania
Book, 2015Available View detailsView details for Within These Walls, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Within These WallsBook by Ahlborn, Ania to your for later shelfAdd Within These WallsBook by Ahlborn, Ania to a different shelf
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Book, 2018All copies in useView detailsView details for The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Book, All copies in useHolds: 4 on 6 copiesPlace holdFor LaterAdd The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn HardcastleBook by Turton, Stuart to your for later shelfAdd The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn HardcastleBook by Turton, Stuart to a different shelf
YA Mysteries/Thrillers:
There are many great YA mysteries and thrillers out there! Sometimes, the only difference between these and their adult counterparts is the age of the characters. From action-packed thrillers to locked room mysteries, YA is definitely a must for readers of the genre(s).
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
One of Us Is Lying One of Us Is Lying
McManus, Karen M.McManus, Karen M.
Book, 2017Available View detailsView details for One of Us Is Lying, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd One of Us Is LyingBook by McManus, Karen M. to your for later shelfAdd One of Us Is LyingBook by McManus, Karen M. to a different shelf
Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
Even If We Break Even If We Break
Nijkamp, MariekeNijkamp, Marieke
Book, 2020Available View detailsView details for Even If We Break, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Even If We BreakBook by Nijkamp, Marieke to your for later shelfAdd Even If We BreakBook by Nijkamp, Marieke to a different shelf
Here are some Fun Facts:
- Agatha Christie is the best-selling author of fiction, selling an estimated 2 billion copies of her 78 crime novels.
- Christie is also the most-translated author, whose works have been translated in at least 103 different languages.
- While elements of mysteries, crime, and thriller genres have been around since the 5th Century B.C., it is Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Murder in the Rue Morgue” that is considered to be the first modern detective story, which was published in 1840.
- The mystery genre became popular in the 1880s through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories starring the now-famous Sherlock Homes.
- Alfred Hitchcock is the only non-mystery author to be given the title of The Edgars Awards’ Grand Master in 1978.
Links that can help you find more mysteries and thrillers to read:
More Mystery & Thrillers at the Library!
Get Started With Cozy Mysteries
List created by PimaLib_RavenousReaders
A Little Yuletide Murder A Little Yuletide Murder
Murder, She Wrote Series, Book 11Fletcher, JessicaFletcher, Jessica • Bain, DonaldBain, Donald
eBookAll copies in useHolds: 0 on 1 copyPlace holdFor LaterAdd A Little Yuletide MurdereBook by Fletcher, Jessica • Bain, Donald to your for later shelfAdd A Little Yuletide MurdereBook by Fletcher, Jessica • Bain, Donald to a different shelf
View Full List
Get Started With True Crime
List created by PimaLib_RavenousReaders
Agatha Christie's True Crime Inspirations Agatha Christie's True Crime Inspirations
Stranger Than FictionHolgate, MikeHolgate, Mike
Book, 2010Available View detailsView details for Agatha Christie's True Crime Inspirations, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Agatha Christie's True Crime InspirationsBook by Holgate, Mike to your for later shelfAdd Agatha Christie's True Crime InspirationsBook by Holgate, Mike to a different shelf
Also in eBook format.
Get Started With Legal Thrillers
List created by PimaLib_RavenousReaders
To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird
Book, 1960All copies in useView detailsView details for To Kill A Mockingbird, Book, All copies in useHolds: 1 on 9 copiesPlace holdFor LaterAdd To Kill A MockingbirdBook by Lee, Harper to your for later shelfAdd To Kill A MockingbirdBook by Lee, Harper to a different shelf
Kelsey B, Ravenous Reader
This press release was produced by the Pima County Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
