Genres, Sub genres and Tropes
- Jackie Sharp
- May 19
- 4 min read
Updated: May 26
Hey there, crime fiction enthusiasts and aspiring mystery writers! Welcome to Episode One of the Murder School. Today, we're going to talk about essential decisions you need to make before you write a single word of that mystery story that’s been whirring around your mind.
It might sound a little boring, but researching the world of crime fiction genres, categories, sub-genres, and tropes is a must if you want to write the best crime book you can, one that your readers will absolutely love and ask for more! These literary labels might seem like a bunch of technical terms, but trust me, they're essential tools for any writer looking to craft a gripping crime story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
And these concepts are not new! All we are talking about here, is the ability to serve your reader’s expectations. When they pick up your book and start reading, you want them to get what they expected, and that has been our focus as crime writers practically since the genre began.
The Detection Club, founded in 1930, was a group of British mystery writers who came together to discuss their craft and set some ground rules for the genre. These rules, known as the "Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction," were designed to ensure fair play for the reader and to establish a set of standards for the genre. One of the biggies was that the reader must have the same opportunity as the detective to solve the mystery. This means no withholding crucial information or pulling solutions out of thin air at the end of the book.
Now, some of those rules are a bit out of date, but the idea of serving the reader is not only relevant, but vital, if you want to gather loyal readers for all your books.
First up, let's talk about the crime fiction genre. Crime fiction is the overarching term for stories that revolve around criminal activities and the pursuit of justice. It encompasses a wide range of sub-genres, each with its own unique characteristics and reader expectations. Whether you're into gritty police procedurals, cozy mysteries, or psychological thrillers, there's a crime fiction sub-genre for every taste.
Now, let's explore some of the popular categories and sub-genres within crime fiction. One classic category is the detective novel, where a professional or amateur sleuth solves a puzzling crime. Within this category, you'll find sub-genres like the hardboiled detective story, characterized by a tough, cynical protagonist navigating a corrupt world, and the cozy mystery, which features an amateur detective solving crimes in a quaint, small-town setting.
Another major category in crime fiction is the police procedural, which focuses on the day-to-day work of law enforcement officers as they investigate crimes. This category often emphasizes realism and authenticity, with detailed descriptions of police procedures and forensic techniques. Sub-genres within this category include the buddy cop story, where two mismatched police officers team up to solve a case, and the serial killer thriller, which follows the hunt for a deranged murderer.
It’s important to decide which category and sub-genre your book will fall into, because readers are looking for a certain type of book. For example, if you characterize your story as a cozy mystery, but have explicit gory and violent scenes, your reader isn’t going to be happy, and you’ll either get a bad review, and worse still, that reader will not come back.
So, what kind of crime fiction book are you going to write? And once you have decided, make sure you research the common tropes found in your chosen sub genre.
Tropes are the familiar story elements that readers know and love, the building blocks of a satisfying crime tale. Some classic crime fiction tropes include the locked-room mystery, where a crime is committed in a seemingly impossible setting; the red herring, a misleading clue that leads investigators (and readers) astray; and the race against time, where the detective must solve the crime before the clock runs out.
Genre, categories, and sub-genres set expectations and help readers navigate the vast world of crime fiction.
For writers, understanding crime fiction genres, categories, and tropes is crucial for crafting stories that resonate with readers. When you know the conventions of your chosen sub-genre, you can either follow them faithfully or subvert them in clever, unexpected ways. Take the classic trope of the hardboiled detective. You could write a straightforward story about a grizzled PI cracking a tough case, or you could flip the script and create a hardboiled detective who's secretly a softhearted romantic.
And here's the thing: while it's important to be aware of genre conventions and reader expectations, you don't want to let them completely dictate your story. The best crime fiction tales are the ones that blend familiar elements with fresh, original twists. Don't be afraid to put your own spin on a classic trope or to mix and match sub-genres in exciting new ways.
That being said, there are pitfalls to ignoring genre conventions entirely. If you're writing a police procedural but you don't include any actual police work, readers are going to feel cheated. Genre conventions exist for a reason, and while it's okay to bend them, you don't want to shatter them completely.
So, how do you strike the right balance? The key is to know your crime fiction genre inside and out, but also to stay true to your own unique voice and vision. Read widely in your chosen sub-genre, but don't be afraid to put your own stamp on things. Use tropes and conventions as a launching pad, but always be on the lookout for ways to make your crime story stand out from the crowd.
At the end of the day, genre, categories, sub-genres, and tropes are all tools in a crime writer's arsenal. They're there to help you craft stories that keep readers guessing, gasping, and flipping pages late into the night. But like any tool, they're only as good as the person wielding them. So go forth and write the crime stories that only you can tell, and don't be afraid to shake things up and break a few rules along the way. Happy sleuthing, and may your stories be as thrilling and unforgettable as the perfect crime!
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