The Crime Readers' Association

Crime Readers' Association

The CRA was set up by the Crime Writers' Association to give readers news and information from their favourite authors along with tips for new writers working in the genre.

Linda StratmannLinda Stratmann - CWA Chair

Featured
Author

Heleen Kist

Heleen Kist has been fondled, patronised and ordered to smile by random men. So she wrote ‘Stay Mad, Sweetheart’, a feminist tale of revenge. Whilst her professional knowledge of technology start-ups...

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Latest from our blog

The ‘Museum Murder’ series by Jim Eldridge – a BBC scriptwriter’s journey to becoming a novelist

24th January 2020 by

2018 saw the publication of Murder at the Fitzwilliam, the first in my historical crime series ‘The Museum Mysteries’. Set in Cambridge in 1894, it introduced Daniel Wilson, a private investigator and... Read more

A fond farewell to MC Beaton

2nd January 2020 by

Barry Forshaw, author of Crime Fiction: A Reader’s Guide, on MC Beaton (aka Marion Chesney), the creator of Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth, who has died at 83. Although many crime novels fit more or... Read more

‘The Abduction’ by A.A. Chaudhuri

16th December 2019 by

THE ABDUCTION by Alex Chaudhuri Hot on the heels of serial killer whodunnit, The Scribe, Kramer & Carver are back in new twisty thriller, The Abduction, published by Endeavour Media, 20 December 2... Read more

What Women Want – Graham Brack takes a view on the sometimes differing tastes of female readers

10th December 2019 by

By Graham Brack I am writing this in the United States where I have been amusing myself by, among other things, visiting bookshops. Needless to say, I focus on the crime fiction shelves where two thou... Read more

The Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel Contest

27th November 2019 by

Multiple CWA Dagger winner Peter Lovesey (including the prestigious Diamond Dagger in 2000) is launching a competition for new authors, along with his publisher, Soho Press. It is open to the world. A... Read more

The ‘other’ Golden Age Knitting Sleuth – Alice K. Boatwright on Miss Silver

19th November 2019 by

In December 1927, the world’s most famous knitting detective made her first appearance in the pages of The Royal Magazine. Dressed in Victorian black brocade and lace mittens, Miss Jane Marple knitted... Read more

How to start your novel – a step-by-step guide by Cal Moriarty

11th November 2019 by

We at the CRA know that many of our readers also dream of one day, themselves, being writers. Our sister organisation, the CWA, offers you an opportunity to submit your fledgling novel for the Debut D... Read more

Join the CRA

Joining the CRA is FREE. There are no lengthy forms to fill out and we need nothing but your email. You will receive a regular newsletter but no spam.

Interested in writing?

Crime reading and writing has never been so popular. We support new writers and our experienced Crime Writers are here to offer the benefit of their experience.
We also have competitions,
the Debut Dagger
and our Manuscript
Assessment Service.

Just don’t forget us when
you hit the big time.

Find out more