Crime fiction
Audience Facts
Justice Served
Deeper themes
Where It Happens
100

This genre centers on solving crimes and understanding criminals

What is crime fiction?

100

This gender makes up about 80% of crime fiction readers.

Who are women?

100

This usually happens at the end of a crime fiction story.  

What is the criminal getting caught?

100

Crime fiction explores the reasons people do this illegal behavior

What is commit crimes?

100

Crime fiction often takes place in one of these to contrast with the violence.

What is a peaceful town?

200

Crime fiction gives people insight into this system that deals with lawbreakers

What is the criminal justice system?

200

Crime fiction is especially popular with readers from this age group.

What are adults?

200

Many stories leave readers with this positive feeling.

What is a sense of justice?

200

These are three major themes often found in modern crime stories.

What are drugs, violence, and social injustice?

200

Writers use setting to create this intense feeling.

What is suspense or tension?

300

This is a key element of crime fiction, usually involving a puzzle or mystery.

What is a crime?

300

Crime fiction can reflect these real world issues, attracting a thoughtful audience.

What are social problems?

300

Crime fiction often shows that good triumphs over this.

What is evil or crime?

300

This question is often raised: why do people become this?

What is a criminal?

300

A dark alley, a foggy city, or a quiet village are examples of this story element.

What is setting?

400

Many readers enjoy trying to do this before the detective does.

What is solve the crime?

400

Readers often feel this emotion when justice is served in a story.

What is satisfaction?

400

This system is often shown working well in classic crime fiction endings.

What is the justice system?

400

Crime fiction may criticize flaws in this system.

What is society or the justice system?

400

The setting can make a crime seem more shocking when it takes place in this type of area.

What is a safe or quiet place?

500

The purpose of crime fiction often includes showing that this wins over evil.

What is justice?

500

Crime fiction attracts readers who enjoy thinking and doing this mental activity.

What is problem solving?

500

This is the emotion readers feel when the mystery is solved and justice is done.

What is closure?

500

These hard truths about the world are often found in crime fiction.

What are social problems?

500

The contrast between setting and crime helps create this kind of mood.

What is atmosphere?