The Crime Factory

Because every story deserves to be told

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Don’t Just Write What You Know – Make Stuff Up (Writing Advice)

Most writing guides hit you with the same mantra: “write what you know.” But here’s the real deal: if every storyteller only wrote from personal experience, our bookshelves would look like one endless memoir section. Instead, embrace a little creative…

The Power of Profanity in Hardboiled Fiction

By Alex MercerWarning: This article contains strong language. Hardboiled crime stories and classic noir often carry an unmistakable edge – not only in their plots…

Grit and Grace: Down to the Bone’s Unflinching Look at Addiction

By Jordan Ellis, Guest Writer Drug addiction on screen often veers into the spectacular – hallucinatory sequences, convulsive withdrawals, baroque visual flourishes. We remember Rent’s…

U.S. Crime News Digest: May 5–12, 2025

Surge in Mass Shootings Nationwide The United States witnessed a disturbing series of mass shootings during this period: Kalispell, MT (May 11): A man fatally…

Inside the Criminal Mind: How Profiling Helps Catch Killers

Psychological profiling, or criminal profiling, isn’t science fiction — it’s a vital investigative tool used by law enforcement agencies across the United States to understand and capture violent offenders. Though not always as flashy as shown on TV, real profiling…

The Allure of Noir: More Than Just Crime Fiction

What Is Noir? Noir is not just a genre; it’s a mood, a philosophy, a stark glance into humanity’s darkest corners. Originating in the…

Guns: A Personal Dilemma

by Evan Booker I’ll be honest from the start: guns make me nervous. I don’t like being around them, I don’t want one in my…

Unsolved Criminal Mysteries That Still Haunt Investigators

Introduction In the shadowy corners of the justice system lie cases that remain unsolved for years – sometimes decades. These criminal mysteries continue to haunt…