Crime Fiction Blog: Reading Guides, Book Lists & Writing Craft
Reading guides, curated book lists, and writing-craft insight from Phillip Strang — author of 144 crime and thriller novels across 19 series. Explore recommendations by setting, detective, and sub-genre, and go behind the scenes on how crime fiction is built.
Best Experimental Fiction Novels of the Last Twenty Years
In the literary landscape of the past two decades, experimental fiction novels have pushed boundaries, challenged conventions, and redefined what...
The Best Character-Driven Novels to Read in 2026
Character-driven fiction lives or dies on a single question: does a person on the page become real enough that their interior life matters more than the...
The Best Coming-of-Age Novels to Read in 2026
The coming-of-age novel survives because the material never exhausts: the moment a self forms by colliding with the world. The novels below are the ones that...
Best Fantasy YA Novels of the Last Twenty Years
Young adult fantasy literature has experienced an extraordinary renaissance over the past two decades, producing works that have captivated teenage readers...
Best Dystopian YA Novels of the Last Twenty Years
In the last two decades, dystopian young adult (YA) fiction has exploded in popularity, captivating teen readers with visions of bleak futures, oppressive...
Best Courtroom Dramas Novels of the Last Twenty Years
Courtroom drama novels combine the intrigue of legal proceedings with compelling character development and complex moral questions. The last twenty...
Best Mob Stories Novels of the Last Twenty Years
The world of organized crime has long captivated readers with its complex characters, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes narratives. Over the past two decades,...
Best Psychological Thriller Novels: Unforgettable Mind Games That Keep You Guessing
Psychological thriller novels represent the perfect intersection of suspense, mystery, and deep character exploration....