contemporary london organized crime fiction

In contemporary London organized crime fiction, the theme of identity is quite common. Criminals often have to hide their true identities or create false ones to operate. Also, the idea of the city as a maze or a playground for the criminals is a theme. London's complex layout, with its many neighborhoods and hidden alleys, provides a perfect backdrop for the criminals to carry out their illegal activities. Additionally, the theme of redemption sometimes pops up, where a criminal might try to turn their life around or at least make amends in some way.

Martina Cole is quite well - known. She often writes about the gritty underworld of London crime, exploring the lives and motives of the criminals. Jake Arnott is another. His works are known for their detailed portrayal of London's criminal subcultures. And then there's David Peace, who delves deep into the seedy side of London with his unique writing style.

One common theme is the exploration of social inequality. London has diverse social strata, and crime fiction often shows how the poor and marginalized may turn to crime due to lack of opportunities. Another theme is the complex nature of the criminal underworld. It might involve organized crime gangs, drug trafficking networks, etc. Also, the theme of justice, or the lack of it, is often present. Detectives or other characters struggle to uphold justice in a city full of corruption and hidden motives.

There's Val McDermid. While she writes about different locations, she has some works that touch on London crime. Her writing is known for its psychological depth. Another author is Ruth Rendell, who has written crime fiction with London settings. Her stories often explore the motives and minds of criminals. And Lee Child has also dabbled in London - based crime scenarios in some of his works.

The settings in organized crime fiction can be very diverse. It could be in a big city like New York or Chicago, with seedy underworld areas and high - rise offices where the illegal business is run. The characters are often tough and street - smart. There's a sense of danger and secrecy. For example, in many stories, there are secret meetings, coded language, and a constant threat of violence. And the plots usually involve a lot of twists and turns as the criminals try to outwit the authorities and vice versa.

One of the best London crime fictions is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson solving various mysteries in London. The detailed descriptions of London's foggy streets and Victorian-era settings add to the charm. Another great one is 'The Jack the Ripper' novels which are often based on the real - life unsolved crimes of Jack the Ripper in London. They offer a dark and gritty look at the underbelly of the city.

Another option might be United Agents. They have a broad portfolio of clients and are likely to have agents who are interested in crime fiction. They offer services like editorial guidance and marketing support, which are crucial for crime fiction authors looking to make a mark in the London - based publishing scene.

Another great one is 'Gomorrah' by Roberto Saviano. This book gives a very realistic and in - depth look at the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra. It exposes the inner workings, the violence, and the far - reaching influence of this criminal organization, which is eye - opening.

One characteristic is the portrayal of loyalty and betrayal. In organized crime, loyalty is crucial but also easily broken. In books like 'The Sopranos', we see how characters struggle with this. They also tend to have a lot of political and social context. 'American Tabloid' shows how organized crime is intertwined with politics. And they often feature a protagonist who is either part of the crime world or trying to take it down, like in 'The Kill Artist' where the main character is up against organized crime.

Another great one is 'Gangs of New York' by Herbert Asbury. It delves into the underworld of New York City in the 19th century, showing the different gangs and their rivalries. It's full of historical details and vivid descriptions of the seedy side of the city at that time.