Crime Fiction Genres

Action thrillers are fast-paced stories, typically centered on a hero or heroine. Their plot may include extensive character development, but more often they are focused on a sequence of rapidly evolving events. The hero takes life-threatening risks to thwart the plans of a more-powerful and better equipped villain. Often, the story features a race against the clock, contains excessive violence, or spectacular events such as (the threat of nuclear) explosions, assassinations, or military combat.

Action thrillers are usually narrated in the third person, although first person narration can be found. They are generally down-to-earth works, even though their premise may be fanciful. They extensively use literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers to keep the reader hooked.