Friday, August 29, 2014

The Compelling Attraction Of Crime Fiction Books

By Deanne Shepard


Why is it that a certain genre has such appeal that it always appears on best seller lists? The reason for the popularity of crime fiction books has been pondered over for years. Some attribute this to the vicarious exposure to mystery and suspense. Others propose that the fact that justice prevails is appealing in a world where this often does not happen. Whatever the reason, the fact is undeniable. People love these novels.

It is true that these novels have a way of catching the attention of the reader and keeping it all the way through as nuggets of information come to light. The story is usually driven by a murder and the desire to find the perpetrator. The reader is drawn in to solving the mystery too and participates in the suspense as it unfolds towards a conclusion.

As readers, we are often privy to how the mind of the killer works from an early stage. This is often the hook of a psychological thriller. We are drawn into their world and begin to understand their motives and what drives them, however twisted this might be.

We can often identify with the protagonist who is attempting to unmask the murderer. They are usually well drawn characters with their own flaws and demons who persevere despite the odds. When reading these novels, we enjoy following the thought processes of these protagonists as they begin to connect the dots and we even pit our wits against them to see if we can connect them before they do.

These novels are often set in interesting times or places. These are often described in such a way as to make the reader feel that they are actually living in that particular century or place in the world. Italy, Istanbul or Sweden are just some of these places and the action may even take place in the past or in the future.

In these novels the villain either gets caught or suffers the consequences of his or her behavior. It gives readers a sense of resolution and the reassurance that evil is punished and justice is upheld. Too often in the real world this does not happen and the guilty go unpunished.

From the classic whodunit to gruesome modern thrillers, there is something to appeal to every taste. There are those who enjoy solving a puzzle and unraveling a mystery without too much exposure to violence. Others enjoy the thrill of feeling exposed to all the action although they are not actually in any danger. They even experience the adrenaline rush that usually comes when exposed to real danger.

The same themes have intrigued humans for centuries and this type of novel offers a vehicle for vicarious exploration of many of these themes and emotions. Whatever the reason for reading such novels, the fact remains that they are a very popular form of fiction today. They are widely available and can be purchased from many sources, including online stores where reviews can be read before deciding what to purchase.




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