Crime Writing and the Female Thriller: Characters, Plots and Ideas

What does a crime writer think about when creating a character? How do they build suspense, direct the narrative and engage with contemporary life and culture?

Drawing on her experience as the author of almost a dozen crime novels, Niki Mackay will take us inside the craft of contemporary crime fiction and psychological thrillers from a writer’s point of view. We will explore how writers create compelling plots, unreliable narrators, morally ambiguous characters and the sense of unease that keeps readers turning the pages.

Along the way, you will consider how recent thrillers have reimagined female characters, moving beyond familiar roles and expectations to create figures who are complex, surprising and even unsettling. Niki’s female characters in particular are rooted in the modern world, but we will explore the fascinating way in which they are used to explore complex ideas and challenge stereotypes.

Through discussion of selected novels, extracts and screen examples, we will look at both the craft of thriller writing and the wider cultural questions these stories raise.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in reading or writing crime fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary writing, popular culture or creative writing. No specialist knowledge is required and everyone is welcome

Term dates

•  Autumn Term: week beginning 19 October 2026 until week ending 11 December 2026

For course content enquiries: Contact the Programme Manager, Michael Paraskos, at m.paraskos@imperial.ac.uk

For enrolment and booking enquiries: Contact Christian Jacobi at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

This course has no exams or assessments, so you can focus on enjoying your learning. If you attend regularly, you may also receive an Imperial attendance certificate. (T&Cs apply).