crime novel
Loading your saved state.
crime novel
A novel centered on a crime and its solving through investigations. Colloquially often referred to as a 'Krimi' (crime story/crime novel).
Für den Urlaub habe ich mir drei neue Kriminalromane gekauft.
I bought three new crime novels for my vacation.
This word is a compound made up of 'Kriminal' (relating to crime) and 'Roman' (novel). So it literally describes a novel about a criminal case.
Der neue Kriminalroman des Autors spielt in Berlin.
The author's new crime novel is set in Berlin.
In everyday speech and colloquial language, the short form 'der Krimi' (crime story/crime novel) is almost always used. 'Kriminalroman' (crime novel) is the more formal and complete term, often found in bookstores or reviews.
Hast du einen guten Krimi, den du mir empfehlen kannst?
Do you have a good crime novel you can recommend to me?
Common verbs in connection with this word are 'einen Kriminalroman lesen' (to read a crime novel), 'schreiben' (to write), or 'verfilmen' (to adapt for film). Adjectives that often describe it are 'spannend' (exciting/suspenseful), 'fesselnd' (gripping), or regionally specific ones such as 'ein skandinavischer Kriminalroman' (a Scandinavian crime novel).
Ich lese am liebsten spannende Kriminalromane.
I most enjoy reading suspenseful crime novels.
crime story / thriller
'der Krimi' and 'der Kriminalroman' can be very similar when talking about books. A 'Kriminalroman' is specifically a novel about a crime and its investigation. 'Krimi' is broader and more colloquial: it can be a book, a film, or even a radio play. So in everyday language, every 'Kriminalroman' is often a 'Krimi', but not every 'Krimi' is a 'Kriminalroman'. If you are specifically talking about a book as a novel, 'Kriminalroman' fits better. For everyday language and media in general, 'Krimi' is more natural.
Im Urlaub liest die Chefin einen Kriminalroman mit vielen überraschenden Ermittlungen.
On vacation, the boss is reading a crime novel with many surprising investigations.
Morgen Abend schaut Herr Schmidt einen Krimi im Fernsehen.
Tomorrow evening, Mr. Schmidt is watching a crime thriller on TV.