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The Conversation

Lisa J. Hackett, Senior Lecturer, Sociology & Criminology, University of New England

My bloody valentine: why women read crime-romance novels

Nora Roberts Agatha Christie

Wirot/Shutterstock

The thrilling, morally dubious world of crime fiction and the emotionally charged realm of romance novels may at first glance seem incompatible. But the blending of these two popular genres makes for compelling reading.

Romance novels generated almost US$1.5 billion in revenue in 2022; with 82% of readers being women. Because crime-romance is relatively new, little research exists as to how many readers it specifically attracts, but it’s safe to say its readership is predominantly female. (Women also read more crime fiction than men.)

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