Technologi

Criminals and the transgression they commit are something that has fascinated societies for centuries. Everything from ancient mythology to the latest cinematic blockbuster has looked at the digressions of criminals and how to punish them. Despite the emergence of television, movies and video games crime thriller novels remain very influential and engaging to a wide array of readers.

There is some debate as to what was the first detective story. Many people believe the roots of the genre can be traced to Edgar Allen Poe with short stories such as the tell tale heart. While the Victorian Gothic genre may have been dark and feature crimes, murders and so forth this was the first type of story that focused on the detective.

However it is not just the physical appearance. People also associate the character with a kind of world weariness. Inevitably the detective is someone who wants to fight the good fight but has become cynical. Usually the next case is the one that gives them a shot at hope and redemption.

This kind of thriller also has a certain kind of narrative voice. It is usually in the first person and from the perspective of the detective. It tends to follow the heroic narrative tradition albeit the hero is not going to a world of fantasy but a world of murky morals and corruption.

These stories contain a lot of the conventions we associate with the genre. They feature detectives speaking from a first person perspective, often providing witty asides to the reader as they look at the murky and morally dubious world around them. However while the detective may appear world weary there is often enough of a moral code that drives them.

Of course when talking about detectives it is hard to ignore classics such as Sherlock Holmes. In many ways his stories are the quintessential crime thrillers. There are also the roots of the buddy genre with Sherlock Holmes and his sidekicks Doctor Watson while his conflict with the villain Moriaty and their battle of wills can be seen across a number of stories.

Over time the genre has had a number of twist and turns. As with any genre over time what appears to be tired can be revitalised by new voices adding their interpretation to classic stories. In recent times Scandinavian writers have become more popular. Just as the directors of French New Wave cinema interpreted cinema in their way so writers like Steig Larrson have presented their twist on world weary detectives and dark murders.

There are a lot of titles available online. Some are written by established authors. However with the rise of electronic book devices there are more opportunities to find works by undiscovered authors that are not signed with recognised publishing houses. It is also worth checking online for feedback from fellow crime fans to find the ideal title to suit your personal tastes.