Why women love crime-romance novels – and what it says about our society
The thrilling, morally dubious world of crime fiction and the emotionally charged realm of romance novels may at first glance seem incompatible. But the blending of these two popular genres makes for compelling reading.
Romance novels generated almost US$1.5 billion in revenue in 2022; with 82 per cent of readers being women. Because crime-romance is relatively new, little research exists as to how many readers it specifically attracts, but it's safe to say its readership is predominantly female. (Women also read more crime fiction than men.)
In crime-romance novels, female empowerment is heightened. The heroine often finds herself in perilous situations – sometimes as the target of a killer, a witness to a crime, or as an investigator – but these threats do not define or limit her.
Instead, the added layer of romance provides another dimension: she might save herself, take down the villain, connect with someone who deeply understands her, or all three. The dangers she faces magnify the stakes of any romantic involvement. Her bravery is amplified, her vulnerability is authentic, and her triumph doubly sweet.
Though there is a long tradition of novelists combining crime and romance (queen of crime Agatha Christie published six romance novels as Mary Westmacott, and often included romance subplots in her crime fiction), crime-romance novels, marrying a mystery to solve with an emotionally satisfying love story, began to take off in the 1990s. They have become increasingly popular in the last decade.
Nora Roberts (also writing as J.D. Robb) is perhaps the most prolific writer of these novels. Roberts has achieved remarkable success with her In Death series of more than 50 books, featuring Eve Dallas, a 'feisty' 'hardboiled heroine' with a tragic childhood. She is a 'tough cop for whom doing the job right and standing up for the dead' is the only reason for existing. Until romance comes along.
Also popular in the crime-romance genre is Janet Evanovich, best known for her bounty-hunter heroine Stephanie Plum. In a series of over 30 books, Plum has numerous relationships, along with flirtations with her on-again-off-again boyfriend, her ex-husband and other bounty-hunters. (Other characters also have various romances.) The Plum novels made crime-romance mainstream.
One sub-genre, dark romance, typically features morally complex main characters, exploring themes such as kidnapping, stalking, and often controversial or taboo topics related to relationships and sexuality. Books such as Hooked by Emily McIntire and The Ritual by Shantel Tessier receive hundreds of thousands of reviews by readers online.
We surveyed 233 readers (72 per cent of whom were female) from around the world, including Australia, to explore what's behind the popularity of crime-romance novels.
A key ingredient for many readers was when the romantic leads worked together to solve a crime while simultaneously falling in love. Said one: 'I like the bond that takes place between leads who are solving a puzzle together.'
One participant said quite bluntly: 'normal romance is too boring'. Another described these books as 'more exciting than normal romance. They have some nice suspense and interesting stories.' These responses point to a common criticism of romance novels, that they can be formulaic and repetitive.
Said one person: I don't like it when romance stories are too sweet and cheesy, so the addition of crime usually makes it more pragmatic and realistic […] instead of rehashing the tropes constantly.
The twin jeopardies of the romance and crime narrative arcs lead to a more satisfying experience for the reader. As one respondent said:
Crime is thrilling and evokes my curiosity […] Romance is soft and cute […] Together these genres also balance and enhance each other.
Participants often used the words 'excitement' or 'thrilling' to explain their interest in the genre. For some it was the crime element that created the thrill, especially when contrasted with their everyday lives, suggesting these books fulfil an important emotional function, allowing readers to experience the danger and intrigue of crime, safely between the covers of a book.
Gender is also a factor in understanding why this genre is popular. The majority of serial killers are men. And the majority of their victims are women. Women may be drawn to crime fiction as a way of exploring safety, power dynamics and even justice. Romance readers, in contrast, are often looking for what romance novelist Maya Rodale has described as 'entertainment, relaxation, and escape'. Crime-romance offers both experiences.
Most of the readers we surveyed said they liked 'sexy' crime-romance novels as opposed to the darker side of the genre.
Interestingly, men who read crime-romances do seem more interested in the crime aspects, appreciating the thrills and the pursuit of justice. Some said the romance narratives were of lesser interest.
Of those we surveyed who also read straight crime fiction, Agatha Christie was their favourite crime novelist. Nora Roberts was the most popular crime-romance writer.
Our research shows crime-romance offers readers intellectual stimulation, emotional catharsis, and the satisfaction of seeing justice done and characters thrive against the odds.
Lisa J. Hackett is Senior Lecturer, Sociology & Criminology, University of New England
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Three killed in Ukraine as Russia continues drones offensive
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched a barrage of 63 drones and decoys at Ukraine overnight. It said that air defences destroyed 28 drones while another 21 were jammed. Ukraine's police said two people were killed and six were injured over the past 24 hours in the eastern Donetsk region, the focus of the Russian offensive. One person was killed and 14 others were also injured in the southern Kherson region, which is partly occupied by Russian forces, police said. The head of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, said 15 people, including four children, were injured by Russian drone attacks overnight. Kharkiv city mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian drones targeted residential districts, educational facilities, nurseries and other civilian infrastructure. 'Kharkiv is holding on. People are alive. And that is the most important thing,' Mr Terekhov said. The Russian military has launched waves of drones and missiles in recent days, with a record bombardment of almost 500 drones on Monday and a wave of 315 drones and seven missiles overnight on Tuesday. The recent escalation in aerial attacks has come alongside a renewed Russian battlefield push along eastern and north-eastern parts of the 600-mile front line. While Russian missile and drone barrage have struck regions all across Ukraine, regions along the front line have faced daily Russian attacks with short-range exploding drones and glide bombs. Ukraine hit back with drone raids, with Russia's defence ministry saying air defences downed 52 Ukrainian drones early on Thursday, including 41 over the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said three people were injured by Ukrainian attacks. The attacks have continued despite discussions of a potential ceasefire in the war. During their June 2 talks in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators traded memorandums containing sharply divergent conditions that both sides see as non-starters, making any quick deal unlikely. Speaking at a meeting of leaders of south-east European countries in Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to toughen its latest package of sanctions against Russia. He argued that lowering the cap on the price of Russian oil from 60 US dollars (£44) to 45 dollars (£33) as the bloc has proposed is not enough. German defence minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit, noting that the stepped-up Russian attacks on Ukraine send a message from Moscow that it has 'no interest in a peaceful solution at present', according to German news agency dpa. Pistorius said his visit underlines that the new German government continues to stand by Ukraine. 'Of course this will also be about how the support of Germany and other Europeans will look in future – what we can do, for example, in the area of industrial co-operation, but also other support,' he said.
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Three killed in Ukraine as Russia continues drones offensive
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched a barrage of 63 drones and decoys at Ukraine overnight. It said that air defences destroyed 28 drones while another 21 were jammed. Ukraine's police said two people were killed and six were injured over the past 24 hours in the eastern Donetsk region, the focus of the Russian offensive. One person was killed and 14 others were also injured in the southern Kherson region, which is partly occupied by Russian forces, police said. The head of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, said 15 people, including four children, were injured by Russian drone attacks overnight. Kharkiv city mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian drones targeted residential districts, educational facilities, nurseries and other civilian infrastructure. 'Kharkiv is holding on. People are alive. And that is the most important thing,' Mr Terekhov said. The Russian military has launched waves of drones and missiles in recent days, with a record bombardment of almost 500 drones on Monday and a wave of 315 drones and seven missiles overnight on Tuesday. The recent escalation in aerial attacks has come alongside a renewed Russian battlefield push along eastern and north-eastern parts of the 600-mile front line. While Russian missile and drone barrage have struck regions all across Ukraine, regions along the front line have faced daily Russian attacks with short-range exploding drones and glide bombs. Ukraine hit back with drone raids, with Russia's defence ministry saying air defences downed 52 Ukrainian drones early on Thursday, including 41 over the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said three people were injured by Ukrainian attacks. The attacks have continued despite discussions of a potential ceasefire in the war. During their June 2 talks in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators traded memorandums containing sharply divergent conditions that both sides see as non-starters, making any quick deal unlikely. Speaking at a meeting of leaders of south-east European countries in Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to toughen its latest package of sanctions against Russia. He argued that lowering the cap on the price of Russian oil from 60 US dollars (£44) to 45 dollars (£33) as the bloc has proposed is not enough. German defence minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit, noting that the stepped-up Russian attacks on Ukraine send a message from Moscow that it has 'no interest in a peaceful solution at present', according to German news agency dpa. Pistorius said his visit underlines that the new German government continues to stand by Ukraine. 'Of course this will also be about how the support of Germany and other Europeans will look in future – what we can do, for example, in the area of industrial co-operation, but also other support,' he said.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Three killed in Ukraine as Russia continues drones offensive
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched a barrage of 63 drones and decoys at Ukraine overnight. It said that air defences destroyed 28 drones while another 21 were jammed. Ukraine's police said two people were killed and six were injured over the past 24 hours in the eastern Donetsk region, the focus of the Russian offensive. One person was killed and 14 others were also injured in the southern Kherson region, which is partly occupied by Russian forces, police said. The head of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, said 15 people, including four children, were injured by Russian drone attacks overnight. Kharkiv city mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian drones targeted residential districts, educational facilities, nurseries and other civilian infrastructure. 'Kharkiv is holding on. People are alive. And that is the most important thing,' Mr Terekhov said. The Russian military has launched waves of drones and missiles in recent days, with a record bombardment of almost 500 drones on Monday and a wave of 315 drones and seven missiles overnight on Tuesday. The recent escalation in aerial attacks has come alongside a renewed Russian battlefield push along eastern and north-eastern parts of the 600-mile front line. While Russian missile and drone barrage have struck regions all across Ukraine, regions along the front line have faced daily Russian attacks with short-range exploding drones and glide bombs. Ukraine hit back with drone raids, with Russia's defence ministry saying air defences downed 52 Ukrainian drones early on Thursday, including 41 over the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said three people were injured by Ukrainian attacks. The attacks have continued despite discussions of a potential ceasefire in the war. During their June 2 talks in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators traded memorandums containing sharply divergent conditions that both sides see as non-starters, making any quick deal unlikely. Speaking at a meeting of leaders of south-east European countries in Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to toughen its latest package of sanctions against Russia. He argued that lowering the cap on the price of Russian oil from 60 US dollars (£44) to 45 dollars (£33) as the bloc has proposed is not enough. German defence minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit, noting that the stepped-up Russian attacks on Ukraine send a message from Moscow that it has 'no interest in a peaceful solution at present', according to German news agency dpa. Pistorius said his visit underlines that the new German government continues to stand by Ukraine. 'Of course this will also be about how the support of Germany and other Europeans will look in future – what we can do, for example, in the area of industrial co-operation, but also other support,' he said.
