Crime novels are known for their suspense, shock value, and twists and turns, and that’s exactly why readers love a good crime story. Certain crime tropes stand out and are just truly timeless, as they keep the reader on their toes and keep them coming back to read more. If you want to write a crime novel but don’t know where to start, figuring out the trope you’re going to write is a good first step. While it can be challenging to find the right trope for your book, these tips should make it an easier process. Below, we break down some top crime novel tropes for writers to explore.
The Amateur (Newbie) Investigator
This trope typically follows the journey of a new or amateur investigator that’s thrown into a grueling case. While they may be new to the investigative world, their passion for solving the crime is what drives them. They have to really dig deep and put their newly learned detective skills to the test to solve the crime. Audiences love this trope because they love to cheer for an underdog.
The Cold Case Reopening
This trope follows an old case that went cold but is being revisited. It’ll go through the case and bring new evidence to light that will eventually help the case to be solved. The new evidence is typically shocking, and the entire journey leading to solving the case will keep the readers on their toes. The reader will root for the investigator to finally solve the crime and get justice served to those who were involved.
A Race Against The Clock
This trope typically follows an investigator who needs to solve the crime within a given time limit. Time is running out, but there are still unsolved clues that could be the key to solving the case. Readers like this high-stakes book because it keeps them engaged and on the edge of their seat throughout.
The Serial Killer
When exploring popular crime tropes, you can’t forget the serial killer trope. This trope is iconic. It typically follows a serial killer who commits multiple crimes and follows a specific pattern throughout. The investigator will usually pick up on this pattern and link it to a specific person or group. However, they have to determine who that person is and the motive behind the crime. Readers love this specific trope because the relationship between the investigator and killer can become a cat-and-mouse game. The reader will enjoy the suspense, the back and forth, and discovering who the killer is.
An Innocent Being Framed
There’s nothing worse than being framed for something you didn’t do. This is the protagonist’s case in this trope. They are framed for the crime they didn’t commit, and the reader follows the journey about the case, why they were framed, and they get to discover who actually committed the crime. The protagonist must prove their innocence and clear their name once and for all. Readers love this trope because they feel sympathetic to what the main character has to go through, and they root for their name to be cleared.
The Last Case Before Retiring
This trope follows an investigator who is near the end of their career, and they’re ready for one last case before they put their badge up for good. However, their last case in this circumstance is usually one of the most brutal cases they’ve seen or dealt with. It tests their skills as an investigator and really puts them through the ringer. Another twist that you could throw in is that their last case was a cold case from early on in their career, and they’re pushing to finally solve it before they retire. Readers love this kind of trope as it’s suspenseful, there are high-stakes, and they love to root for the investigator to finally solve this case.
A Missing Person
Last but certainly not least, is the missing person trope. In this trope, a character suddenly disappears, and it follows the case of investigators learning the motive of the kidnapper, who it is, and secrets throughout the case. There are often shocking moments, twists and turns, and emotional aspects to this trope. Audiences love to read this trope because they want to learn more information on why this person went missing. They also often develop an emotional connection to the missing character and root for them to make it home safely.
In Conclusion
While picking a trope for your crime novel can be stressful, there are many crime novel tropes out there that you can explore as a writer. Don’t be afraid to take a popular trope and make it your own by putting your own twist on it. You could also combine multiple tropes, like the cold case reopening and the last case before retiring trope. This is your chance to create a unique book that your readers won’t be able to put down.
Once you’ve completed your new crime book, the next step is to create a book cover. It can’t be stated enough how important book covers are. They are your audience’s first impression of your book. If your audience isn’t captivated or intrigued by your cover, chances are low that they’ll give it a chance. This is your opportunity to make a great first impression and reel your audience in with an eye-catching cover. The best and easiest way to make a book cover is with Book Brush.
Book Brush is a convenient tool for authors that allows you to make book covers and other graphics to effectively promote your book. We offer many crime book cover templates where you can edit the cover and make it your own. With Book Brush you’ll be able to create a cover that speaks to your audience and reflects just how incredible your crime novel is. Happy creating!
