What Crime Novels Don't Tell You

Abstract

The paper examines the misrepresentation of victims, offenders, and the criminal justice system in crime fiction literature, an increasingly prevalent issue given the extreme popularity of the crime fiction genre. Misportraying elements of crime is detrimental to the public perception of crime; many readers derive the bulk of their perception of crime through fictional literature and media. Through the analysis of a range of texts, including crime fiction novels from different subgenres and eras, the paper has identified and described the most prevailing and damaging misrepresentations in crime fiction. From said analysis, it has been concluded that, though previously thought to be a significant issue, victim sidelining is not representative of the entire crime fiction genre, disproving the common critique of victims being treated as solely plot devices. However, as assumed prior to the investigation, the lack of nuance in offender archetypes (some of which promote criminal romanticisation), the infallibility of criminal profiling, the presence of a 'lone detective', and the speed of legal and forensic processes are all valid criticisms of the crime fiction genre. These inaccuracies shape how audiences understand crime and justice, creating unrealistic expectations and, in some cases, encouraging empathy for criminals over victims. Understanding these gaps is essential for both producers and consumers of crime fiction literature. Producers must ensure that their content is both compelling and accurate, while consumers should be well-informed of the misportrayals in their favourite crime fiction books.