Crime Fiction

Articles and lists relating to crime fiction, mystery, forensics, storytelling and more.

Research Report: The Body Scout by Lincoln Michel

Cover of The Body Scout by Lincoln Michel

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: The … Read more

Research Report: The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler

Cover of The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: The … Read more

Research Report: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

Cover of Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: Altered … Read more

Research Report: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

Cover of Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: Farewell, … Read more

Research Report: Gun, with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem

Cover of Gun, with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: Gun, … Read more

Research Report: The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

Cover of The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. In this report: The … Read more

Research Report: Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Cover of Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

I am currently doing research for my next novel, the first installment in a private detective mystery series set in a near-future America where many laws allow citizens to file lawsuits against those who violate these statutes. In these research reports, I summarize what I’m reading and how that book helped me think about my project. First up: Humankind: A … Read more

The Best Literary Crime Fiction of 2022

Cover images of the best literary crime fiction of 2022

It has been just over three years since I published my definitive list of The 112 Best Literary Mysteries and Crime Novels. Obviously, more great literary crime titles are published every year, and 2022 was no exception. So here is the best literary crime fiction of the year based on curated lists from The New York Times, The Guardian, Publishers … Read more

The Mistaken Mare of Easttown Gun: Blending Forensic Fact and Dramatic Fiction

The fatal Colt Detective Special

The mystery in HBO’s 2021 hit limited series Mare of Easttown hinges on the details of the gun used to murder a teenage girl. Drawing on my experience as a forensic firearms examiner and fiction author, I explain what the creators got wrong about the Mare of Easttown gun and assess how they blended fact and fiction in the show’s … Read more

The Best Literary Mysteries of 2021

Cover images of The Best Literary Mysteries of 2021

Just over two years ago, I published a definitive list of The 112 Best Literary Mysteries and Crime Novels that covers all literary mysteries published before 2019. Since more great titles in this genre are published every year, I release annual supplemental to my original list. So here are the best literary mysteries of 2021 based on curated lists from … Read more