Crime Horror
Explore books, themes, and recommendations in Crime Horror.
What is the Crime Horror Subgenre?
The crime horror subgenre, also sometimes known as the thriller subgenre, is more suspenseful than scary. A mashup of mystery, suspense, and action, crime horror differs from crime fiction and the mystery genre in that the aim of the subgenre is to create mounting suspense and unease, whereas in mystery the focus is on the process of solving the mystery. In these stories, the criminal is the monster to be feared and is often still at large. The criminal may even be a charming protagonist in the story, and the horror is that the reader finds themselves agreeing with the criminal and even justifying their actions or rooting for them. Crime stories in the mystery genre have more character and plot development than their crime horror counterparts, but will have less action and violence. Similarly, crime horror tends to be less realistic than its mysterious cousins and may even contain supernatural elements.
Though its settings are more gritty and urban like dark mystery or noir, crime horror tends to have more in common with serial killer or slasher horror than the mystery genre. The action, suspense, and violence of these genres is more similar to that of crime horror. However, unlike serial killer or slasher horror, this subgenre prevents more of a mystery than a gorefest. Crime horror is the subgenre that walks the fine line between mystery and horror, with few scares but plenty of suspense.
Crime Horror Characteristics
Level of Characterization: The level of characterization in crime horror is low as the focus of this subgenre is on action and violence.
Level of Plot: Expect plots in crime horror to be moderate, as there will be an element of mystery involved.
Level of Supernatural: The level of supernatural in crime horror is low to moderate. Elements of supernatural may be present in crime horror, but on the whole, this subgenre is generally more realistic.
Level of Scary: Scares will be low to moderate in crime horror as the focus is less on terrifying and more on creating an increased and sustained tension throughout the story.
Level of Violence: The level of violence will be moderate to high in crime horror, as it is a key element of the subgenre.
Typical Setting: Similar to dark mystery, the typical setting of crime horror is urban and gritty. This is less because of some connection to the inner psyche of the protagonist, and more to enhance the suspense and action of the story.
Related Horror Subgenres
Similar subgenres to crime horror include serial killer horror, slasher horror, and dark mystery, also known as noir. Since noir is a related subgenre, one could also draw a parallel to noir horror. Extreme horror, with its penchant for violence, can also be related to crime horror, though crime horror is less about gore than it is suspense. The closest related subgenre would be dark suspense.
Don't Read Crime Horror If You Dislike…
If you prefer spooky or supernatural horror, crime horror is not for you. If you do not like realism in your horror, crime horror may not be the best horror genre for you. Also, don't read this subgenre if you dislike violence or suspense.