Typical characters in a crime 101 novel include the detective, of course. This person is driven to solve the mystery. There are also the criminals or suspects. Some may be masterminds while others are just pawns. Witnesses are also important characters. They may hold key information but might be afraid to talk. There could also be the detective's sidekick, who provides support and sometimes a different perspective.
In a crime 101 novel, you'll often find the main detective, who is the central figure in solving the case. There are the suspects, whose actions and motives are under scrutiny. Victims are there too, whose fates are what the detective is trying to avenge or make right. Additionally, there might be police officers other than the main detective, lawyers who are involved in the legal aspects of the case, and informants who pass on valuable information from the underworld.
Typical characters include the police officers, not just the lead detective but also their partners. There are often lawyers involved too, either defending the suspects or prosecuting them. And in modern crime stories, journalists might be present, trying to get the scoop on the case and sometimes interfering with the investigation.
One of the most memorable is Hercule Poirot. He is a meticulous detective with his own unique methods of investigation. His little grey cells, as he calls his brainpower, are always at work.
Criminals are also typical characters. There are various types of criminals like the mastermind criminals who plan elaborate schemes. And there are also the impulsive ones who commit crimes on the spur of the moment. In many crime novels, we get to see into the minds of these criminals to understand their motives.
James Patterson. His books are filled with thrilling crime stories. He is good at creating heart rending situations, for example, when the victims' stories are told or when the detectives face difficult moral choices.
In a typical romantic novel, you'll find the hero, who is often confident and dashing. He has a way with words and actions that makes the heroine fall for him. The heroine, on the other hand, is usually a complex character with her own dreams and goals. She's not just a damsel in distress. There are also side characters like the nosy neighbor who might spread rumors or the matchmaker type who tries to bring the two main characters together.
Sure. Crime novels typically revolve around criminal activities and the process of uncovering the truth. 'The Girl on the Train' centers around a possible murder or disappearance. The author uses the elements of crime, such as suspects, motives, and evidence, to build a gripping story, much like other crime novels.
It can vary a lot. Some crime novels might be around 300 pages, while others could go up to 500 or more.
Often, the protagonists are inmates serving life sentences. They could be wrongly convicted individuals fighting for their freedom, or they could be hardened criminals with a complex moral code.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is also famous. His Sherlock Holmes stories are iconic in the world of crime fiction. Holmes' brilliant deductive reasoning and the unique cases he solves have made these stories timeless.
In Victorian crime fiction, you had the wealthy businessmen who might be the target of blackmail or robbery. There were also street urchins who could be both witnesses and sometimes minor criminals. Servants were also common characters, as they had access to the households of the wealthy and could be involved in crimes or be key to solving them, given their inside knowledge of the comings and goings in these grand houses.