I came across an interesting article by crime writer Phillip Strang the other day, designed to offer useful advice authors – and as the creator of more than 150 books and 18 series, he should know!
Born in England and living in Australia, his conclusions include that readers like series but expect each book to be able to stand alone as well.
Also, he says that that authors should include new technology in their stories but should not overwhelm their readers with tech-talk, saying: “Crime fiction cannot ignore technological reality, but neither can it chase every digital trend. The most effective approach involves seamlessly integrating current technology as investigative tools while maintaining focus on human psychology and interpersonal dynamics.” This something my publisher Joffe Books certainly emphasises and their team are great readers of the market.
Throughout Phillip’s article (you can find the full version by following the link at the bottom of this post) he makes the point that authors must make sure they understand their readers.
He says: “I monitor reader discussions in online forums and social media groups, paying attention to their specific complaints about recent releases and their enthusiasm for particular narrative elements. This provides more valuable guidance than any publishing industry report.”
When addressing pitfalls into which the inexperienced crime writer can fall, he says: “The most prevalent error among new crime writers is prioritising shocking twists over logical investigation. Readers appreciate surprising revelations, but only when they arise naturally from properly planted clues and character motivations. A twist that requires ignoring previous evidence or character behaviour feels like authorial cheating rather than clever plotting.
“Another frequent mistake involves overcomplicating criminal motivations in pursuit of originality. The most compelling crimes stem from recognisably human emotions – greed, jealousy, fear, revenge – expressed through unusual circumstances rather than bizarre psychological constructions.” Another point that Joffe Books makes.
Phillip also addresses the subject of violence in crime fiction when he says: “Many contemporary authors also fall into the trap of treating violence as entertainment rather than consequence. Action thriller novels can certainly include significant violence, but effective crime fiction treats death and injury as serious events with lasting emotional and practical ramifications. Violence without consequence reduces crime fiction to mere sensationalism.”
The full article- and for the record I agree with many of his points and definitely suggest that emerging crime writers read it – can be found at State of Crime Fiction 2026 | Phillip Strang
Leave a Reply