Inspiring lines from crime fiction writers

Be inspired by these great lines from people who know crime fiction writing best, curated by the Emplying review team.

Crime fiction makes money. It may be harder for writers to get published, but crime is doing better than most of what we like to call CanLit. It’s elementary, plot-driven, character-rich story-telling at its best. ~Linwood Barclay

Crime fiction confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe. ~P.D. James

Most crime fiction, no matter how ‘hard-boiled’ or bloodily forensic, is essentially sentimental, for most crime writers are disappointed romantics. ~John Banveiile

And there are rules for crime fiction. Or if not rules, at least expectations and you have to give the audience what it wants. ~Tod Goldberg

Crime fiction is the fiction of social history. Societies get the crimes they deserve. ~Denise Mina

One of the surprising things I hadn’t expected when I decided to write crime fiction is how much you are expected to be out in front of the public. Some writers aren’t comfortable with that. I don’t have a problem with that. ~Kathy Reichs

The mainstream has lost its way. Crime fiction is an objective, realistic genre because it’s about the real world, real bodies really being killed by somebody. And this involves the investigator in trying to understand the society that the person lived in. ~Michael Dibin

Anyone who says, ‘Books don’t change anything,’ or – more commonly – that crime fiction is the wrong genre for promoting social change – should take a closer look. ~Andrew Vachss

The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more writers than readers. ~Jacques Barzun

I’ll bet you $10 right now that there are an awful lot of literary writers who started a long time ago and now they find themselves in this place where secretly they feel trapped. And you know what they really read for fun? They read crime fiction. ~Robert Crais

There is sometimes a feeling in crime fiction that good writing gets in the way of story. I have never felt that way. All you have is language. Why write beneath yourself? It’s an act of respect for the reader as much as yourself. ~John Connolly

It wasn’t a decision to become a writer. I wanted to become a writer of crime fiction. I was very specific. ~Michael Connelly

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Inspiring lines from crime fiction writers

Here are some of the most inspiring words from the most well-known crime thriller writers, curated by the Emplying review team.

The words characters use and the gestures they make should be enough for the reader to know who is talking and how they’re feeling. ~Unknown

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard

Writing is the flip side of sex – it’s good only when it’s over. ~Hunter S Thompson

My task, which I am trying to achieve, is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel – it is, before all, to make you see. ~Joseph Conrad

Write every day even if it is just a paragraph. ~Michael Connelly

All the information you need can be given in dialogue. ~Elmore Leonard

Have something you want to say. ~Ian Rankin

Any author, like their protagonist, must endure sacrifice, or be willing to do so,~Unknown

There are only two pieces of advice any would-be writer needs. The first is Give up. Those who heed that don’t need to hear the second, which is Don’t give up.~Mick Herron

My purpose is to entertain myself first and other people secondly. ~John D MacDonald

I never read a review of my own work. Either it was going to depress me or puff me up in ways that are useless.~Paul Auster

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. ~G K Chesterton

I abhor crime novels in which the main character can behave however he or she pleases, or do things that normal people do not do, without those actions having social consequences. ~Steig Larsson

The best crime novels are all based on people keeping secrets. All lying – you may think a lie is harmless, but you put them all together and there’s a calamity. ~Alafair Burke

With the crime novels, it’s delightful to have protagonists I can revisit in book after book. It’s like having a fictitious family. ~John Banville

I think the “crime novel” has replaced the sociological novel of the 1930s. I think the progenitor of that tradition is James M. Cain, who in my view is the most neglected writer in American literature. ~James Lee Burke

The most difficult part of any crime novel is the plotting. It all begins simply enough, but soon you’re dealing with a multitude of linked characters, strands, themes and red herrings – and you need to try to control these unruly elements and weave them into a pattern. ~Ian Rankin

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Thrilling quotes from great horrors

If you love a good horror read then you will love these quotes from some of the best horror thrillers ever written. Best of all, they are selected by us at the Emplying review team!

“When the lambs is lost in the mountain, he said. They is cry. Sometime come the mother. Sometime the wolf.”

—Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy

“How could you hide from a murderer who lives under your skin?”

—The Troop, Nick Cutter

“God! Whose hand was I holding?”

—The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson

“A cold hand fell on Louis’s shoulder. Rachel’s voice was grating, full of dirt. ‘Darling,’ it said.”

—Pet Sematary, Stephen King

“What was going to happen to me? There were only two possibilities—they were going to let me go at some point. Or they were going to kill me.”

—The Woman in Cabin 10, Ruth Ware

For more great horror, check out Emplying today.

Scariest Thriller Books of All Time

Reading can be a pleasurable experience, however, some like to add a touch of scariness to their reading by selecting thriller books such as those on Emplying. For those that like a scare, here are some of the scariest thriller books of all time.

Bad Dreams by Tessa Hadley

Rated in the 100 notable books of 2017 by The New York Times, this book has a thread of dread and menace running through it. A girl abducted by some Oxford students, is taken to a big house where things get even more disturbing.

The Mist by Stephen King

It was almost inevitable that a Stephen King novel would be on this list. This novel might not be one of his better-known works, but the thought of monsters lurking in the mist is one that would send a chill up many people’s spines. This and many of his other books can be found on Emplying.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

This is a ghost story like others you might have read, but the way it is written leaves you wondering if these apparitions are real or fake. The book is set at a time when the upper classes are being overtaken by the working class.

Dialogues of the Dead by Reginald Hill

Reginald Hill is one of the best thriller writers, and this novel is the 19th in his Dalziel and Pascoe series. They have to investigate a serial killer who is using a writing competition to tell people about those he has killed.

To read more of these amazing thrillers, check out the catalogue at Emplying.

15 Most Iconic Quotes From Horror Movies

One of the things that makes a classic horror movie endure for generations is its iconic quotes. Here are some of the best horror movie quotes curated by the Emplying review team.

15 "I never drink...wine." - Dracula (1931)

14 "One, Two, Freddy's coming for you..." - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

13 "By the way, I would have voted for Obama for a third term, if I could." - Get Out (2017)

12 "He came home." - Halloween (1978)

11 "Swallow this." - Evil Dead II (1987)

10 "They're here." - Poltergeist (1982)

9 "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

8 "It's alive! It's alive!" - Frankenstein (1931)

7 "I see dead people." - The Sixth Sense (1999)

6 "You're gonna need a bigger boat." - Jaws (1975)

5 "Do you like scary movies?" - Scream (1996)

4 "We all go a little mad sometimes." - Psycho (1960)

3 "They're coming to get you, Barbara." - Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

2 "Do you want to play a game?" - Saw (2004)

1 "Here's Johnny!" - The Shining (1980)

If you love a good thrill, then you will love all the content at Emplying.

The Best Suspense Books of All Time

Emplying has the very best in suspense and thriller reviews. Why not check out these Emplying review today!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere is domestic for sure, if not exactly a thriller. Instead, it’s a 350-page slow burn (no pun intended) following the intricacies of various relationships in Shaker Heights, Ohio in the nineties — the town and era during which the author grew up. Ng brings incisive authenticity to this gripping story of mothers and children struggling with identity and morality. This collective struggle coalesces into incredible suspense in the final portion of the book.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

More young, endangered girls feature in The Virgin Suicides, but this time they’re a danger to themselves. The Lisbon family is thrown into disarray when the youngest daughter, Cecelia, inexplicably kills herself, and her sisters Lux, Bonnie, Mary, and Therese are put on suicide watch. But of course, their parents’ restrictions only make the girls more inclined to rebel — especially Lux. The Virgin Suicides is another novel that wouldn’t usually be described as “suspense,”; yet the tension between the girls and their parents, and the aura of mystery that surrounds them in the eyes of the neighborhood boys (who narrate the novel), make for a fascinating read.

You by Caroline Kepnes

As you can probably tell from having read this far, suspense books make for excellent adaptation material, and our final entry is no exception. Before You was a Netflix thriller series, it was a book about an aspiring writer, Beck, and her ever-so-slightly overbearing boyfriend Joe. And by ever-so-slightly, we mean a lot. But in a refreshing turn of events, Beck ends up being pretty twisted herself. We won’t give away any more, but suffice to say that You is an electrifying tale of obsession and destruction that will leave you reeling.

If you are looking for more thrilling books and reviews, check out Emplying.

Enjoy a Thrilling Experience with Unlimited Collection of Thriller eBooks

Thriller eBooks are the most popular literary genre from way back. Nothing can be better than a gripping thriller eBook that leaves you in suspense of wanting to know more. Here is a list of an unlimited selection of thriller books.

People like Her - Ellery Lloyd

Ellery’s People Like Her is an eBook that focuses on exposing the dark side of social media and influence a large percentage of the community’s culture. Known as Mamabare by most of her Instagram fans, she is believed to have the powers of seeing someone out there who knows the entire truth about what happened to Emmy.

City of Vengeance - D. V. Bishop

Set in Renaissance Florence, this explosive historical thriller talks about the death of a prominent Jewish moneylender. Cesare Aksi is assigned with the task of solving this murder. During his investigation, Aldo discovers a new plot to overthrow Florence’s leadership conspiracy. He has to perform this task while protecting his secrets from spreading.

The Family - Louise Jensen

Originally published on September 25, 2019, The Family is a gripping psychological thriller with a twisted plot. The story subverts all of your expectations when a professional serial killer starts spreading body parts across Cumbria. The situation gets darker for the National Crime Agency’s known as Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw. The story plot makes a twist when the duo has to fight for their freedom in a court of law.

For those who are huge fans of thriller eBooks, we’ve got you covered. Register an account at Emplying.com.

Rumors of Another Delay for No Time To Die

As we all already know, No Time To Die promises to be a bond movie like no other. It will also be Daniel Craig’s last as the titular character. But when will we finally get to see it?

Originally scheduled to be released in theatres back in November, the release date was pushed to April 2021 in the hopes that the pandemic would be a little more under control before audiences cram into theatres. Upon the announcement of the delay, Craig made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, in part to plug the upcoming film, in part to explain the delay.

“We just want people to go and see this movie in the right way, the safe way,” Craig said. “You know, cinemas all around the world are closed at the moment and we want to release the movie at the same time all around the world, this isn’t the right time.”

April 2021, however, may prove to be an ambitious release date. As it stands, the much anticipated Covid vaccine is set for distribution in some parts of the world as early as January, but inoculations will likely take until the end of 2021, if not later, in order to ensure enough of the world’s population has been vaccinated to reduce the risk of spread. This has many wondering if No Time To Die’s release will be delayed once again, or if Universal would consider releasing it for home streaming much like many other films have resorted to this year.

Looking for some killer thrillers? Visit our online library at Emplying for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Emplying Reviews: Zero World by Jason M. Hough

 

New York Times bestselling author Jason M. Hough has a number of impressive titles under his belt, but ever since October 2016 he’s perhaps been best known for his fan favorite Zero World. Although the book was published in 2015 to much critical acclaim, it was just over a year later that Hough sold the television rights to Zero World to Patrick Dempsey’s Shifting Gears Productions. Of course, not much has come of the deal quite yet, we suspect the ongoing global pandemic may have something to do with that, but we’re excited nonetheless.

 

As for the book itself, it is indeed quite exciting, although it’s often difficult to describe. At its core, Zero World is a spy thriller set in the near future and combines thrilling action the likes of which you’d expect from a Bond movie with the same mind bending sci-fi you’d expect from a Chris Nolan film. Fans around the world have chimed in with their own comparisons, with some calling the book “John Wick in Space” or “Jason Bourne on an alt-Earth.”

 

 

Felicia Day, who used both comparisons herself, posted a glowing review of Zero World as well. From her review: “I don’t think I’ve read a more exciting sci-fi novel…I would recommend this if you like action movies, if you like thrillers like Jason Bourne novels, or Richard Morgan-type sci-fi…I need moooooooore!”

 

Zero World is well worth reading for anyone who’s looking for a thrill!

 

 

Looking for some killer thrillers? Visit our online library at Emplying for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Fun Facts About Jason Bourne

While fans eagerly await more details about the upcoming sixth installment in the Bourne series, many have filled the gap with the Bourne-inspired series Treadstone, which premiered in 2019. For many, however, nothing will compare to the real deal, so until we know more about what’s to come when in comes to Jason Bourne, we thought we’d share a couple of fun Bourne facts:

The role could have gone to Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone, or Russel Crowe. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt was the first actor to be offered the part, but he ultimately turned down the role in favor of working on Spy Game. Director Doug Liman also met with Sylvester Stallone and Russel Crowe to discuss the role, but ultimately opted for Matt Damn, who he thought would best understand the part and would know what to do with the script.

Prague acted like Switzerland for The Bourne Identity. Though much of the film’s action was set in Zurich, it was actually filmed in Prague, in January, where it was very very cold… This didn’t stop Matt Damon from delivering a great performance, of course. It was so cold, in fact, that some cameras even stopped working and some scenes had to be reshot. A Prague bank served as the United States Consulate in Zurich, just before being converted into a luxury hotel. The U.S. Embassy guards were played mostly by actual U.S. Marine Security Guards stationed in Germany.

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Anticipation Builds for Jack Ryan Season 3

While many of us are still reeling from Season 2’s finale, fans are still eagerly anticipating Season 3 of Amazon Prime Video’s smash hit Jack Ryan, starring John Krasinski. As many will remember, Krasinski became a household name thanks to his role as Jim Halpert, a goofy paper salesman in NBC’s smash comedy hit The Office. The role of Jack Ryan is quite the departure from the prank-playing Jim, but fans certainly don’t seem to mind, as they’re not just drawn to the actor, but to the character as well.

“There’s something about Jack Ryan that I think is such a great hero for right now. He doesn’t have a cape, he doesn’t have stuff flying out of his hands, he’s just a guy with his brain and his instincts,” Krasinski said during his Variety cover interview. Krasinski sees Jack Ryan as the United States’ answer to James Bond. “Less sex!” he added, “but he’s our James Bond.”

Jack Ryan Season 3 was announced back in February of 2019, well before Season 2 even started airing, a rare vote of confidence in an era where new shows are often cancelled before they even get the chance to get off the ground. Season 3 starts streaming in November this year, and you can bet that like everyone else we’ll be glued to our devices the moment it does.

Looking for some thrills and chills? Visit our online library at Emplying for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Interesting Facts About Steve Berry

Although he may not be a household name like Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler, Steve Berry is nonetheless an accomplished fiction writer and has penned nearly 20 novels, many of which were received with critical acclaim. Here are two interesting facts about the thriller writer that you may not have known.

He was rejected 85 times before he sold his first manuscript. Although publishers now see publishing Berry’s works as a no-brainer, it wasn’t quite the case early on in his career. Berry first began writing fiction in 1990, but it wasn’t until 2003’s The Amber Room that one of his manuscripts would make it to print. Prior attempts at publication has resulted in 85 rejection before Ballantine Books finally took a chance on the then unknown Berry, a move that would prove to pay off.

He’s devoted to historical preservation. Berry and his wife, Elizabeth, founded History Matters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding the preservation of the fragile reminders of our past. Together they’ve spent many years fundraising for a wide variety of preservation projects, and in recognition for his work he was named spokesperson for National Preservation Week by American Library Association in 2012 and 2013. In a 2011 Wall Street Journal interview Berry said: “What are we losing when that [on being told of the rapid loss of our historical record] happens?  We’re losing windows to the past, thoughts to the past and ideas to the past, and that really affected me.”

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The True Crime Story of The Florida Lotto Murder

Winning the lottery can be a godsend to many. In a single instant it can wipe out financial worry, solve countless other problems, and lead to a worry-free life of possibility and adventure. For some, however, it can also be a burden. And for many, like Abraham Shakespeare of Florida, it can make them a target.

In 2006 Shakespeare purchased a single lotto ticket that would land him a jackpot of $30 million dollars. The winfall was certainly cause for celebration, and a generous man by nature, Shakespeare shared his newfound wealth liberally with friends and family. Shakespeare soon grew suspicious, however, and felt like he was being used, even taken advantage of for his money. It was then that a woman named Dee Dee Moore entered the picture.

Moore offered Shakespeare to help manage his assets, but she had sinister motives in mind. Before long, Moore managed to swindle Shakespeare into handing over control of all his assets. Some weeks passed, and Shakespeare’s family grew concerned. They hadn’t heard from Shakespeare for some time, and had attempted to reach him. In response, Moore forged a letter to Shakespeare’s family, assuring them that he was alright. What Moore didn’t know, however, is that Shakespeare was illiterate. The family contacted police, Shakespeare’s body was soon discovered buried on Moore’s property, and Moore was arrested and subsequently convicted of murder.

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The Surprising Origin of Mulholland Drive

It’s not often you’ll come across a list of the best movies of the 21st century that doesn’t have Mulholland Drive listed near the top. The 2001 David Lynch offering is neo-noir at its finest, and a psychological thriller than will burn itself into your memory immediately after viewing. It tells the story of an aspiring actress named Betty Elms, played by Naomi Watts, who befriends the victim of a car crash, played by Laura Harring, suffering from amnesia. Throughout the film we’re introduced to a few more characters, played by Justin Theroux, Mark Pellegrino, Robert Forster, and Ann Miller, in what would be her last role in a feature film.

Despite its critical acclaim, however, Mulholland Drive performed poorly at the US box office, grossing a mere $7 million against its $15 million budget. Worldwide revenue but the total up to $20 million, ensuring, at least, that Universal Pictures and BAC Films didn’t lose money on the project.

What may surprise fans about the feature, however, is that Lynch initially conceived Mulholland Drive as a television pilot, one that was intentionally left open ended for a potential series. Television executives rejected it, however, and so Lynch added an ending and turned the project into a feature film. We’re willing to bet some of those TV execs are still kicking themselves to this very day.

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Underrated Stephen King Stories

The master of the thriller has certainly written some heavyweight novels, but not all of them were met will critical acclaim or commercial success. Here are three underrated Stephen King stories that are certainly worth revisiting.

The Long Walk. Originally published under King’s pen name Richard Bachman, the novel initially received little attention. It was King’s first novel, and lacked some of the polish of his later efforts, but remains a disturbing tale of a dystopian future that’s worth dissecting. The Long Walk tells the story of a walking contest run by the totalitarian US government in which 100 teenage boys must continuously walk and maintain a steady pace, lest they meet their death, with the last boy standing being declared the winner.

The Man in the Black Suit. Originally published in an issue of The New Yorker, The Man in the Black Suit may be one of King’s best short stories. It tells the story of a young boy meeting the devil by a river and won many industry awards, but many readers may not even know of its existence as much of the focus tends to be on King’s novels. Available in a number of different collections, it’s a must-read for any true horror fan.

Doctor Sleep. Although there was no particular desire for a sequel to the Shining, King wrote one anyway, and though the novel paid little lip service to fans it was a very well written tale of PTSD and alcoholism in the wake of the events of The Shining. Doctor Sleep certainly stands out among King’s more modern works, and is certainly deserving of more attention.

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Top three horror moments from Rob Reiner’s Misery

Rob Reiner is not only an actor but a director that has brought many classic and feel good movies to the silver screen. From the Princess Bride to When Harry met Sally, it’s hard to imagine him directing a horror classic, but that is exactly what he did with Misery. In the Stephen King adaption, Reiner brings out a darker side that we didn’t know was possible. Here are the three most spine chilling moments from Rob Reiner’s Misery.

I’m Your No. 1 fan

With Paul, a world famous author, lying injured after his car crash and Annie, a former nurse, promising to nurse him back to health because she is his No. 1 fan, the movie starts out by making you shudder.

Hobbling

Reiner brings the moment of Annie breaking Paul’s ankles to life in the most horrifying way. The calm pacing of Kathy Bates’ Annie before she takes out the sledgehammer and breaks the ankles of her poor captive, it’s something that stays with you but it’s nothing compared to the words “it’s for the best” and “God, I love you,” before and after the bone crunching.

Two bullets will be so beautiful

With Paul lying on his back at the bottom of those stairs with Annie slowly walking towards him with a gun and syringe in hand is horrifying enough, but add into the mix the speech she gives about how they will be together forever and how it is time to die, you really have to give Paul his due for managing to stay calm and even more for talking her round.

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The Thrilling History of St. Patrick’s Day

Although it’s now become a happy and joyous celebration of all things Irish, with green as far as the eye can see and the copious consumption of alcohol, the history of St. Patrick’s Day is somewhat less joyous but certainly quite thrilling.

St. Patrick had it rough right from the beginning, originally from Great Britain we was brought into Ireland as a slave at the tender young age of sixteen during the Roman occupation of Britain. Defying all odds, the young St. Patrick managed to escape slavery in 432 and became a force for Christianity. In what was then a very pagan Ireland, Sat Patrick converted a considerable following to Christianity and established monasteries and places of worship. Legend has it he died on March 17th, 493, which would have made him over 100 years old, but historians tend to agree a more likely year of death was 461.

The action didn’t stop there, however, as rival factions in Ireland fought over his body, each believing they had the proper rights to the corpse. An account of the battle in Annals of the Four Masters describes the end of the battle which ended up on a river. Allegedly, the river rose high and flooded both factions, and the resulting confusion led both sides to believe the were walking away with the body of St. Patrick, sparing countless lives.

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