What’s Up with Most Southern Crime Novels Written by Men? Let’s Talk about That

But First… Acknowledging Women in Southern Crime Fiction

After diving deep into this topic when I got my knickers in a twist over male domination in the crime story section of the local bookstore’s shelves, I found that women are indeed making waves in Southern and small-town crime fiction. Authors like Attica Locke (Bluebird, Bluebird), Susan M. Boyer (the Liz Talbot Mystery series), and others are crafting gripping, complex stories that bring the South to life in all its contradictions.

But here's the thing—while these authors are amazing, they’re still outnumbered. The crime fiction shelves, especially for Southern stories, often feel dominated by male voices. And that raises the question: why aren’t more women front and center in this genre?

Hear me out. Have you ever noticed something peculiar while browsing crime novels set in the South? A lot of them—maybe even most—are written by men. Why is that?

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of talented male authors in the Southern crime genre and I take NOTHING away from them, but it strikes me as odd given how many women are avid readers of crime stories. We love true crime, we devour mysteries, and we’re fascinated by the dark corners of human nature. So why aren’t more women writing these stories?

As a Southern woman and an author of historical crime fiction, I see this as a missed opportunity. Women—especially Southern women—have a knack for storytelling. We know how to dig into the complexities of relationships, how to build tension, and, yes, how to weave a solid crime story. And we can do it with flair, balancing grit with emotion and even sprinkling in a touch of romance (but don’t call it romance—more on that later).

What Women Bring to Crime Fiction

Women bring a perspective to crime fiction that’s often overlooked. We understand not just the crime itself, but the emotional and psychological fallout. We see the layers of motivation and the intricate web of relationships that can make or break a character.

And Southern women? We’ve got stories running through our veins. We’ve grown up hearing about old family feuds, whispered scandals, and that one aunt who “knew too much for her own good.” Yes, I have one, and she’s still alive and kicking against societal expectations (at the well-experienced age of 77). We’re steeped in history and culture, and we know how to bring it all to life on the page.

Why I Write Southern Fiction with a Dash of Crime, a Pinch of Humor, and a Splash of Relationships

When I sit down to write, I don’t think of my books as "just crime stories." They’re more than that. They’re about people—flawed, complex, and trying to make sense of the world around them. They’re set in the South, with its rich history and deep contradictions. And yes, there’s always a crime at the center, but the story is just as much about relationships, secrets, and the choices that define us. And it’s usually the female protagonist doing most of the talking in my head.

About that word romance. But, please, don’t call it romance. Romance feels too… chintzy for what I’m doing. My characters have relationships, sure—messy, passionate, and sometimes doomed ones—but these stories are grounded in grit, history, and a healthy dose of mystery.

Breaking the Mold

There’s no reason Southern crime fiction should be dominated by men. Women have just as much to say—and arguably more—to bring to the table. We don’t just solve the mysteries; we delve into the why. We explore the fallout. We bring depth, nuance, and emotional resonance to a genre that can sometimes feel surface-level in its pursuit of plot twists. A good plot twist is always fun. But give me a strong woman dealing with typical daily life and the sky falling down around her shoulders. I want to see how she reacts, adapts, and survives.

So here’s my challenge to you: next time you’re looking for a Southern crime novel, look for one written by a woman. Better yet, start with mine. Let me show you how Southern women can weave a story that’s equal parts grit, heart, and intrigue.

Let’s Change the Narrative

It’s time for Southern crime fiction to get a little more diverse—and a lot more interesting. Women have been crafting stories for generations, and we’ve got the talent, the perspective, and the fire to breathe new life into this genre.

This isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about amplifying the voices of women who already write in this space and encouraging more women to step into the spotlight. Take that chance. Give it a try. Southern women have a unique storytelling sensibility, one that balances grit with heart, history with mystery, and complexity with charm.

Follow me on this journey as I write stories that break the mold. Together, let’s change the narrative.