The Curious Case of Crime Novels in the Second Person

Almost all crime novels are written in the first or third person. It is rare for a crime novelist to venture into the second person, as it is often considered a challenging narrative technique to maintain throughout a book. However, a few daring authors have experimented with this style, creating unique and engaging reading experiences.

Understanding Narrative Techniques in Crime Novels

In the world of crime fiction, the narrative technique plays a crucial role in engaging and immersing the reader in the story. Most crime novels are written in third person, with the author utilizing multiple viewpoints to provide a comprehensive view of the plot. This perspective allows the writer to explore different aspects of the crime and its resolution.

First-person narratives, on the other hand, are often limited in scope as the protagonist must be present for all events leading to the resolution of the crime. This perspective can be restrictive, as the narrative must revolve around the experiences and recollections of a single character.

Common Narrative Techniques in Crime Novels

When you visit the shelf of a bookstore and look at crime novels, you will find that a majority of them (over 50%) are written in third person. This is the most common narrative technique used in this genre. Here are five notable examples:

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett: This hard-boiled private eye novel follows a third-person perspective. Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers: Considered a traditional whodunit or "cozy" crime novel, it is also written in third person. Cop Hater by Ed McBain: A police procedural, this is another example of a third-person narrative. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carre: An espionage novel that employs the third-person omniscient viewpoint. The Hunter (Point Blank) by Richard Stark: This criminal protagonist-driven novel is also written in third person.

The Rarity of Second Person in Crime Novels

While the majority of crime novels adhere to the first or third person narrative, the second person is a narrative mode that is hardly used. It is extremely difficult to sustain at book-length as it would primarily involve describing actions that the reader is performing or has performed. Here is an example to illustrate the difference between the three narrative techniques:

First person: "I dropped to one knee and fired twice."

Third person: "He dropped to one knee and fired twice."

Second person: "You dropped to one knee and fired twice."

The second person narrative mode can make the reader feel as if they are part of the story, which can be unique and captivating. However, maintaining this perspective over the course of a lengthy novel can be challenging, as it becomes difficult to sustain the reader's engagement without feeling tedious or out of place.

Conclusion

While second-person narratives in crime novels are rare due to their inherent difficulty, there are some exceptional authors who have successfully employed this technique. However, it is generally advisable for authors to stick with first or third person narratives in crime fiction to ensure a smooth and engaging reading experience for their audience.