A criminal act — such as murder, burglary or robbery — that is illegal under a country’s legal system and punishable by law. Most countries have a codified legal system that defines crimes and assigns them to different categories. Crime definitions are often influenced by cultural, historical and social changes.
To write a compelling crime story, immerse yourself in the genre by reading widely. This sharpens your narrative instincts, reveals what works in the genre and helps you see where gaps remain in the research.
In true crime, be careful to respect the victims and their families while maintaining factual integrity. It is often tempting to bend the truth in order to make your story more dramatic, but that can backfire. Instead, give yourself narrative wiggle room by using phrases like “According to court records” or “She later told a reporter.” This allows you to create vivid scenes and suspenseful pacing without resorting to falsehoods.
Great crime writing comes from building suspense and tension through point of view, interesting characters and plot twists. Keep in mind that the genre is saturated with well-established motifs, so it’s important to bring something new to the table. This is particularly critical for emerging authors who may need to stand out among a crowded field of competitors. Identifying what differentiates your work from others will help you build reader trust and interest.