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.
A Tale of Two Sydneys That Captivates and Haunts
Phillip Strang’s “Dark Streets” introduces readers to a Sydney divided by wealth and status, where the line between life and death proves...
The Best Australian Crime Thrillers to Read in 2026
Australian crime fiction has a landscape problem most crime writing would envy: distance, heat and isolation that do narrative work no city setting can....
Best Alternate History Novels of the Last Twenty Years
Alternate history novels transport readers to reimagined pasts where pivotal events took a different turn. Over the last twenty years, this genre...
Best War Novels of the Last Twenty Years
War stories continue to captivate readers with their powerful narratives of human struggle, courage, and the complex moral landscape of armed conflict. Over the...
The Best Contemporary Romance Novels to Read in 2026
Contemporary romance is judged on craft the genre rarely gets credited for: voice, comic timing, and emotional honesty under the structure. The novels...
Best Paranormal Romance Novels of the Last Twenty Years
The paranormal romance genre has exploded in popularity over the past two decades. These novels have captivated millions of readers worldwide by...
Best Historical Romance Novels of the Last Twenty Years
Historical romance novels transport readers to bygone eras, where love stories unfold against rich historical backdrops. This genre has evolved significantly...
Best Psychological Thriller Novels of the Last Twenty Years
Over the past two decades, the best psychological thriller novels have captivated readers with their mind-bending plots and complex characters....