When you think of your tastes in crime fiction, do you immediately go to subgenres? Psychological thrillers. Police procedurals. Cozies. Domestic suspense. And the list goes on.
Dr. Deadly has a twist for you. We may identify ourselves by variables beyond subgenre. Dr. Deadly will focus on one – the spirit of the story – which is created by the personalities and passions of its characters.
Now, let’s find your crime fiction spirit animal. Consider what speaks to you most for each of these categories…
My favorite kind of protagonist is…
- Brilliant, logical
- Cunning, witty
- Intense, justice-seeking
- Unconventional, outside-the-box
Favorite plot style is…
- Fast-paced page-turners
- Intricate and twisty
- Character-driven and meaningful
- Quirky and unique
My mystery-solving style is…
- Big-picture, strategic
- Look for patterns and hidden clues
- Listen to instinct and gut feelings
- Consider creative angles and solutions
Favorite setting is…
- Urban, high-stakes
- Small towns, hidden secrets
- Complicated, hard-to-navigate environments
- Unusual or whimsical settings
Look back at the numbers of the answers you chose. Is there a number you chose most often? Check out your closest crime fiction spirit animal:
1 = You are an eagle
The Analytical Observer – You approach crime fiction with keen observation and logical thinking. Like an eagle soaring above, you see the biggest picture and notice details others miss. You appreciate protagonists with who investigate and make deductions with logic and precision.
Books you may like across subgenres: Joe Ide’s IQ series, Alexander McCall Smith’s Precious Ramotswe series, Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series
2 = You are a fox
The Strategic Thinker – You navigate crime fiction with cunning and wit. Like a fox, you’re clever and adaptable, enjoying intricate plots and hidden clues. You love stories where chess moves win over brutal force.
Books you may like across subgenres: Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne series, Ellery Adams’s Secret, Book & Scone Society series, Liv Constantine’s Last Mrs. Parrish series
3 = You are a panther
The Intense Pursuer – You dive into crime fiction with passion and intensity. Like a panther, you’re driven and focused, drawn to fast-paced action and the pursuit of justice. You crave thrilling narratives that keep adrenaline pumping.
Books you may like across subgenres: SA Cosby’s Razorblade Tears, Abir Mukherjee’s Wyndham and Banerjee series, Steig Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series
4 = You are a unicorn
The Creative Dreamer – You experience crime fiction through imagination and unconventional thinking. Like a unicorn, you’re rare and unique, seeking stories that defy expectations. You love quirky narratives and protagonists who think outside the box.
Books you may like across subgenres: Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series, Spencer Quinn’s Chet and Bernie series, Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Do the descriptions fit? And are you drawn to similar vibes in characters or situations across subgenres, or do you prefer a specific subgenre? Dr. Deadly wants to know!
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