News•Mar 11, 2026
The Greatest Dangerous Female Characters in Literature
The article examines the evolution of dangerous female characters in literature, from early one‑dimensional villains like the Wicked Queen to modern, trauma‑driven antiheroes such as Cersei Lannister and Annie Wilkes. It highlights a poll of bestselling authors who name their favorite "bad girls," ranging from noir icons like Lilly Dillon to classic figures like Amy March and contemporary threats like Amy Dunne. These selections illustrate how the archetype spans genres, eras, and audience ages, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward nuanced gender portrayals. The piece argues that this trend reshapes storytelling and reader expectations.
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 10, 2026
Murder Mysteries Are the Best Way to Understand the Slow Death of Abortion Rights
The author uses a murder‑mystery framework to expose how the gradual erosion of abortion rights was driven by obscure legislators and policy architects rather than obvious villains. By tracing tragedies such as Rosie Jimenez’s 1977 death and Becky Bell’s 1984...
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 10, 2026
Partners in Crime: Tips for Cowriting with Your Spouse
Two spouses turned a shared dream into a Penguin multi‑book deal by co‑authoring a mystery series under the pseudonym J. D. Brinkworth. Their process combined complementary strengths—dialogue and humor versus plot mechanics—and relied on exhaustive outlining and a relay drafting...
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 10, 2026
Nick Petrie: The Joys and Challenges of Writing a Long-Running Series
Nick Petrie reflects on the joys and hurdles of sustaining his ten‑book Peter Ash series. He highlights the comfort of writing familiar protagonists while stressing the need for continual character evolution. New antagonists and distinct settings, such as Seattle’s tech...
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 6, 2026
Kirsten Kaschock Imagines a New Landscape for the Gothic
Author Kirsten Kaschock proposes a South‑Central Pennsylvania Gothic sub‑genre, arguing that the region’s scar‑filled landscape and turbulent history provide a fertile setting for contemporary horror. She outlines how themes of radical skepticism, lingering decay, and monstrous ecology—exemplified by her novel...
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 6, 2026
Kate White on Grief, Style in Suspense, and Writing as a Former Editor
Kate White, former Cosmopolitan editor‑in‑chief, has launched her latest thriller, *I Came Back for You*, on March 1, 2026. The novel follows Bree Winter, a grieving mother who returns to her daughter’s college town after a dying serial killer claims...
By CrimeReads
News•Mar 5, 2026
Lyla Lane on the Charm and Challenges of Setting Cozies in Small Towns
Lyla Lane explains how she crafted the small‑town setting of Sarsaparilla Falls for her new cozy mystery, The Best Little Motel in Texas. She emphasizes that the town itself must feel lived‑in, using personal memories of her grandparents’ hometown and...
By CrimeReads