Episode 102 – Crime and Euphemisms

We explore some of our favorite crime novels, the genre at large as part of mystery, and pick apart the differences between detective novels (tending to support law & order) vs caper novels (tending to be anti-establishment or radical) and the exceptions. Crime and caper novels can be historic or modern, and cross every genre. What do you need to think about when writing crime stories? We have some ideas.

• True crime:
  • John Wayne Gacy
  • Jeffrey Dahmer
  • Son of Sam

• Sci Fi Crime:
  • Charles Stross – Halting State and Rule 34
  • Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat
  • Artemis: a Novel by Andy Weir
  • Sci Fi detective books
  • Red Planet Blues – Robert Sawyer
  • Polar City Blues – Katherine Kerr
  • Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World – by Haruki Murakami
  • The Skeen Series – Jo Clayton

• Fantasy Crime:
  • The Dresden Files
  • The Rivers of London
  • The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton
  • Charlaine Harris’ Grave Sight
  • Rachel Aaron’s Eli Monpress
  • Lois McMaster Bujold’s Dendarii

• John mentioned Wikipedia – Crime Fiction
• Jeannie liked Otto Penzler’s essay on What is a Crime Novel

• Modern/Historic Crime:
  • The Cuckoo’s Egg
  • Les Miserables
  • Crime and Punishment
  • The Talented Mr. Ripley
  • The Godfather – Mike’s crimes
  • Walter Mosley
  • Chester Himes
  • The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

• O Joy – Leverage Returns!

• LGBT Representation in characters
• Especially Val McDermid

Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing with Lyrics