Saturday, September 28, 2013

Choose FBI Books For Action And Suspense

By Marla Mills


If it's cold and miserable outside, one of the best ways to treat yourself is to curl up with a good book. It will transport you to another world and help you to escape from the drudgery of daily life. If you're not really into romance but would rather read something action-filled that will get your adrenalin pumping, FBI books may be just the thing for you.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is, as its name suggests, an American governmental organization that operates on federal level. Its main function is to investigate crimes and to help local law-enforcement agencies. It also has jurisdiction in Native American reservations. The Bureau mainly works with serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, the sexual abuse of children and crimes that take place across state borders but also plays an important role in combating terrorism.

Law enforcement makes for fascinating stories and the FBI often features in crime thrillers set in the United States. Probably one of the most suspense-filled novels produced in the genre is 'The Silence of the Lambs', one of a series of novels by Thomas Harris. This and other works in the series features a convicted serial killer named Hannibal Lecter, who helps the bureau catch other murderers. 'The Silence of the Lambs' became the basis of the eponymous film that won a host of awards and was a box-office hit.

One of the most prolific writers to use the FBI as theme is Catherine Coulter. Mainly a romance writer, she has also created a series of suspense thrillers set against the backdrop of Bureau investigations. Since the publication of 'The Cove' in 1995, she had produced another book in the series almost every year.

Several authors have created series of FBI-based thrillers. Lisa Gardner created a profiler named Pierce Quincy and in later books Quincy's daughter Kimberley becomes an agent with the crime-fighting organization. CJ Lyons is known for his character Lucy Guardino, a feisty agent. Julie James has written several romance novels about the sparks that can fly when agents work with attorneys in bringing criminals to justice. Some authors don't create series but produce stand-alone works featuring the Bureau. Among them are Tami Hoag.

There are some authors in the genre who have insider's knowledge because they used to be agents too. When they write works of fiction, they often base their stories on actual cases they investigated. Other former agents like John E Douglas, who inspired one of the main characters in Thomas Harris' books, write non-fiction works about their time with the Bureau and the notorious criminals they helped to apprehend.

While being a former agent is definitely an advantage for authors in the genre, it's not e prerequisite. The FBI makes it much easier for writers to do research about how the Bureau operates. There is a special unit called the Investigative Publicity and Public Affairs Unit that helps with information and fact checking.

One of the best places to find FBI books is your local bookstore. You'll find most works among the crime or suspense thrillers or in the non-fiction section. Another option is to look online and also read some reviews before you buy a book to help you through that rainy day or your daily commute.




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