The Art of Conflict in Crime Novels
- Jackie Sharp
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 31
I do everything I can to avoid drama – in real life. However, I can’t get enough of it when I’m reading or writing.
Picture this: you're curled up on the couch, engrossed in a crime novel that has you on the edge of your seat. Your heart is racing, your palms are sweaty, and you just can't seem to put the book down. What is it about these stories that keep us so hooked? The answer is conflict.
Conflict is the lifeblood of any good story, especially in crime novels. These stories thrive on tension, suspense, and the constant push and pull between characters and their environment. Without conflict, a crime novel would be as exciting as watching paint dry.
Understanding Conflict in Crime Writing
So, how can we, as crime authors, use conflict to keep readers engaged? The first thing we need to know is that there are two types of conflict we can employ: internal and external.
Internal Conflict: The Battle Within
Internal conflict is all about the struggles that characters face within themselves. It's the mental and emotional tug-of-war that keeps them up at night, questioning their decisions and grappling with their own morality.
We’ve all read crime books where the protagonist struggles with the desire to uphold the law versus the impulse to administer vigilante justice. A prime example is John Rebus, the famous creation of Ian Rankin, who often teeters on the brink of lawlessness.
Another great illustration of internal conflict can be found in Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl." Both Nick and Amy Dunne are complex characters with plenty of baggage and secrets. Their internal struggles—Nick's guilt over his infidelity and Amy's sociopathic tendencies—create an ongoing sense of unease and suspense throughout the novel.
Adding Layers to Internal Conflict
To deepen internal conflict, authors can create multifaceted characters with relatable flaws and desires. Characters who wrestle with difficult choices can resonate more with readers. This complexity allows readers to understand the psychological depth and motivation behind each action, making the story more compelling.
External Conflict: The World Against You
External conflict refers to the obstacles and challenges that characters face from outside forces. This could include anything from a villainous antagonist to a corrupt justice system or even the harsh realities of the world they inhabit.
In crime novels, external conflict often manifests as a cat-and-mouse game between the protagonist and the antagonist. Think of Clarice Starling going toe-to-toe with Hannibal Lecter in Thomas Harris' "The Silence of the Lambs." The tension between these two characters is palpable, and it is their external conflict that propels the plot forward.
The Role of Environment in External Conflict
External conflict doesn't always stem from a single antagonist. Often, the world itself creates obstacles that characters must navigate. For example, in Dennis Lehane's "Mystic River," the gritty atmosphere of a working-class Boston neighborhood serves as a backdrop for the struggles against poverty, violence, and corruption. These elements generate a perpetual sense of danger and unease that can keep readers hooked.
Weaving Internal and External Conflict Together
The best crime novels smartly weave together both internal and external conflict to create a narrative that grips the reader from start to finish. A brilliant example of this is Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Lisbeth Salander, the brilliant but troubled protagonist, faces her own demons (internal conflict) while trying to solve a decades-old disappearance and evade a sadistic killer (external conflict). It’s the interplay between these two types of conflict that makes the story so captivating.
Crafting Page-Turning Conflict
As crime authors, we should embrace the full range of conflicts available to us. Understanding how internal conflict shapes character decisions, and how external conflict creates narrative tension, allows us to craft stories that keep readers engaged.
Conflict is what fuels the narrative journey. It is essential to explore the depths of a character's psyche while also showcasing the challenges they face in the outside world. This duality creates multi-dimensional storytelling that elevates our writing.
The Importance of Conflict in Reader Engagement
So, the next time you find yourself utterly absorbed in a crime novel, take a moment to appreciate the masterful use of conflict. Whether through the inner struggles of a tortured detective or the high-stakes showdown between hero and villain, conflict is what keeps us turning those pages late into the night.
For help creating that page-turning, twisty mystery novel, download my "Plot Twist" digital flashcards — FREE for a short time.
Comments