In summary: the North American crime novel is born from hard-boiled and turns the city, corruption and the vulnerable detective into central elements.

Hard-boiled and North American tradition

The crime novel is a literary genre that has had a great impact on North American literature. It is characterized by its focus on crime, investigation and justice, and has been a source of inspiration for writers of that nationality for more than a century.

Crime fiction originated in the United States in the 1920s with the publication of Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon." This book established the foundation of the genre by introducing private detective Sam Spade as the crime-fighting hero in the city of San Francisco. As the genre evolved, new subgenres developed, such as the psychological crime novel and the urban crime novel.

The crime novel has been important in North American literature for several reasons. First, it has provided a critical view of American society, showing the dark and unknown aspects of life in cities. Secondly, it has provided a form of escapism for readers, allowing them to immerse themselves in a world full of intrigue and suspense. Thirdly, it has inspired many young writers to move forward with their own literary careers.

Crime fiction has also had a significant impact on film and television, with many films and television shows based on books in this genre. Additionally, many of the most famous crime writers, such as Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Ross McDonald, have been adapted for the big and small screen.

In the 1930s, crime fiction experienced a huge surge in popularity with the publication of books such as Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man" and Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep." These books presented private detectives as sophisticated heroes who fought crime in American cities.

In the 1940s and 1950s, crime fiction continued to evolve with the introduction of new subgenres, such as the hard-boiled crime novel and the procedural crime novel. These subgenres presented detectives as tough, cynical heroes who used unorthodox methods to solve crimes.

To study how hard-boiled distributes information, tension, and point of view, continue with The Architecture of Crime.

In the 1960s, crime fiction underwent a significant change with the introduction of the protest crime novel. These books presented detectives as heroes who fought against injustice in American society. Furthermore, during this period, African American writers such as Chester Himes and Walter Mosley stood out, providing a different perspective and more diverse representation in the genre.

In the 1970s, crime fiction underwent a shift toward a more realistic and less melodramatic approach. In this decade, writers such as Michael Connelly, George Pelecanos, and Dennis Lehane stood out, bringing a new perspective to the genre and continuing to develop its subgenres.

To this day, crime fiction remains a popular and constantly evolving genre.

The North American crime novel has been influenced by a series of classic writers who have established the foundations of the genre and have left their mark on literature. Below is a list of some of the most notable classic authors of North American crime fiction and a brief description of their work.

1. Dashiell Hammett: Considered the father of modern crime fiction, Hammett is known for his series of books starring private detective Sam Spade, including "The Maltese Falcon" (1930) and "The Thin Man" (1934). His stories are famous for their realism and focus on investigation and justice.
2. Raymond Chandler: Another big name in American crime fiction, Chandler is known for his series of books starring private detective Philip Marlowe, including "The Big Sleep" (1939) and "Farewell, My Lovely" (1940). His stories are famous for their markedly literary style and their focus on the urban environment.
3. James M. Cain: Author of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1934), "Double Indemnity" (1936) and "Mildred Pierce" (1941), Cain is known for his skeptical style and passionate approach to crime. His stories are famous for their realism and their focus on the dark side of humanity.
4. Ross Macdonald: Author of the series of books starring private detective Lew Archer, including "The Moving Target" (1949) and "The Drowning Pool" (1950), Macdonald is known for his focus on psychology and research. His stories are famous for their realism and their analysis of the dark side of American society.
5. Chester Himes: Author of "For Love of Imabelle" (1957) and "Cotton Comes to Harlem" (1965), Himes is known for his orientation toward the African-American experience in the United States and his depiction of African-American characters in crime fiction. His stories are famous for their realism and emphasis on social justice.

These authors are just some of the most prominent in North American crime fiction, and their works continue to be read and studied today. They have established the foundations of the genre and have left a lasting mark on literature.

The American crime novel remains a popular and relevant genre today. Despite having emerged in the early 20th century, it still attracts a large number of readers and writers, and is considered one of the most important forms of contemporary literature.

One of the main reasons why American crime fiction remains popular is because of its ability to adapt to social and cultural changes. Contemporary crime writers address current issues such as technology, immigration, racism, and feminism, and offer a unique and insightful perspective on these topics.

In addition, the contemporary crime novel has also expanded beyond the traditional genre, incorporating elements from other genres such as suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. This has led to a greater variety of stories and characters, and has appealed to a wider audience.

Some of the most notable contemporary crime writers include Tana French, Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, Gillian Flynn, and Paula Hawkins. These authors have won several awards and have been international bestsellers, and their works have been translated into several languages.

The crime novel has also found a large audience in television and film formats, many series and films based on crime novel books have garnered many hits in recent times, such as "Mindhunter", "The Killing" and "The Wire", and have helped to make the genre known to an even wider audience.

Contemporary writers are thus adapting the genre to social and cultural changes, offering a unique and insightful perspective on contemporary issues, and this has helped maintain interest in the genre.

As for the workmanship, the North American crime novel is known for its unique narrative style, which is characterized by a combination of suspense, tension and a strong atmosphere of mystery. These narrative techniques help capture the reader and maintain their interest in the story until the final outcome.

One of the most common narrative techniques in North American crime fiction is the use of the omniscient narrator. This type of narrator is able to know the thoughts and feelings of all the characters and can therefore provide a complete overview of the story. This helps create a sense of mystery and suspense, as the reader knows more than the characters and can anticipate future events.

Another common narrative technique in North American crime fiction is the use of flashbacks. Flashbacks are scenes that take place at a time before the main story and can provide crucial information about plot and character development. These flashbacks are used to provide context and to help the reader better understand the story.

The crime novel also uses a narrative technique known as "non-linearity", in which the story is not told in chronological order, but rather jumps from one moment to the next, providing clues and details that help the reader build the puzzle of the detective case in question.

Another important narrative technique in North American crime fiction is the use of precise and detailed language. Crime writers use this type of language to create a sense of realism and to help the reader immerse themselves in the story. Additionally, the meticulous language helps create an atmosphere of mystery and tension, and increases the sense of suspense.

The characters in North American crime novels are an essential element to create an exciting and attractive story. These characters are often complex and nuanced, and play an important role in creating the tension and suspense that characterize this literary genre.

The main character in crime novels is usually the detective or investigator. This character is in charge of solving the crime or mystery at the center of the story. The detective is often a lonely character, with a complicated past and a difficult personality. He is an intelligent, cunning guy with a great sense of justice, but he can also be cynical, distrustful and sometimes even violent.

The suspect or the murderer is another key character in the crime novel. He is responsible for the crime or mystery, and his role is to keep the reader addicted to the story while his true identity is revealed. The suspect or killer can be anyone, from a neighbor to a close friend, and often has a complex and twisted personality.

Secondary characters are also essential in crime novels. These characters can be victims, witnesses, family members or friends of the detective, and they can provide crucial information about the crime or mystery, they can play an important role in the plot and help develop the story.

Furthermore, in North American crime novels, female characters are increasingly common and diverse, since stereotypes are being broken and strong, independent women are being shown capable of making important decisions.

We are talking about a literary genre with a long history and a great legacy, and its future seems promising. In recent years it has seen a resurgence in popularity, and this trend is expected to continue.

One of the reasons for the resurgence of crime fiction is the increase in interest in crime and mystery stories. Crime TV shows and movies have been very popular in recent years, and this has led to an increase in demand for crime novels. Additionally, crime writers are beginning to explore new themes, such as immigration, racism and corruption, attracting an increasingly diverse audience.

Another trend in the future of the North American crime novel is the incorporation of elements from other literary genres. Writers are combining elements of science fiction, fantasy and horror with traditional crime fiction, creating unique and intriguing stories.

There is also a growing diversity in crime novel writers. Writers of color, women, and LGBT+ writers are increasingly gaining ground in the world of crime fiction and are bringing a fresh and diverse perspective to the genre.

In terms of emerging technologies, crime novels are taking advantage of the benefits of technology to expand the reach of their audience and improve the reading experience. The increased availability of e-books and the popularity of reading apps are allowing writers to reach a wider audience and readers to access a greater variety of titles.

In short, the future of American crime fiction seems promising. With an increase in the popularity of the genre, greater diversity in writers and an incorporation of elements from other literary genres, as well as the use of technology to enhance the reader's experience, crime fiction will continue to be an engaging, vigorous and exciting form of storytelling.

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