Crime Reads » Essays

Carolyn Wells, in the Library, with a Revolver

Carolyn Wells, in the Library, with a Revolver

How a prolific mystery author with a penchant for collecting rare books helped to create the ‘biblio-mystery’ genre

By Rebecca Rego Barry | March 19, 2020

Lindy Chamberlain, Kate McCann, and the Myth of the Bad Mother

Lindy Chamberlain, Kate McCann, and the Myth of the Bad Mother

Why are we so inclined to believe the worst of women who don't conform to our ideal of grief?

By Kirsten Alexander | March 18, 2020

How to Write Perfect Twist Endings (That Will Shock and Delight Even Jaded Suspense Readers)

How to Write Perfect Twist Endings (That Will Shock and Delight Even Jaded Suspense Readers)

Author Stephanie Wrobel breaks down the 9 type of twist endings and the books that executed them best.

By Stephanie Wrobel | March 18, 2020

In the Emergency Room, Doctors Need Detective Skills—And Empathy

In the Emergency Room, Doctors Need Detective Skills—And Empathy

Why Chris Bohjalian went looking for inspiration in the ER

By Chris Bohjalian | March 17, 2020

On the Murder of Wesley Everest and the Bloody History of the Logging Industry

On the Murder of Wesley Everest and the Bloody History of the Logging Industry

In writing a crime novel, I took inspiration from my activist forbears and their epic confrontations with the robber barons of timber.

By melissaannpeterson2 | March 16, 2020

Away With the Fairies

Away With the Fairies

How an old family legend and the story of a haunted cottage taught me a healthy respect for the supernatural.

By Carlene O'Connor | March 16, 2020

Best Reviewed
Books of the Week

The Fantastical World of Crime Scene Investigation

By Victor Methos | March 13, 2020

America’s First Crime Novel Was Rural Noir—We Should Still Be Reading It

By Chris McGinley | March 12, 2020

Royal Scandals Through The Centuries

By Deanna Raybourn | March 12, 2020

<em>Spenser: Confidential</em> Isn’t Your Father’s Spenser. Hell, It Isn’t Even Robert B. Parker’s Spenser.

Spenser: Confidential Isn’t Your Father’s Spenser. Hell, It Isn’t Even Robert B. Parker’s Spenser.

A new look and a new era for Boston's legendary private eye.

By Keith Roysdon | March 12, 2020

The Evolution of the

The Evolution of the "Mildly Autistic Super-Detective"

A trope finds its way toward authenticity.

By Zack Budryk | March 11, 2020

Dr. Lise Meitner: The Mystery of the Disappearing Physicist

Dr. Lise Meitner: The Mystery of the Disappearing Physicist

She split the atom and fled the Nazis. History tried to erase her.

By Jan Eliasberg | March 11, 2020

Adventures in Historical Fiction: History is Everywhere (And Full of Surprises)

Adventures in Historical Fiction: History is Everywhere (And Full of Surprises)

You could just look up the details you need to know, but historical fiction is much more fun when you let history take you by surprise.

By John Lawton | March 11, 2020

The Poison Pen Letter: The Early 20th Century's Strangest Crime Wave

The Poison Pen Letter: The Early 20th Century's Strangest Crime Wave

Across America and Europe, people couldn't stop writing nasty letters. Soon the courts were overwhelmed with epistolary assaults.

By Curtis Evans | March 10, 2020

Searching for James M. Cain's Los Angeles

Searching for James M. Cain's Los Angeles

Where have all the roadhouses gone?

By Katie Orphan | March 10, 2020

<em>Briarpatch</em> May Just Be the Coolest Show on TV

Briarpatch May Just Be the Coolest Show on TV

A new series returns to a bygone era of strange, slick crime fiction.

By Dwyer Murphy | March 10, 2020

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