The Devil Is in the Details: The Art of Documenting Crime (Without Forgetting a Little Hollywood style!)

When you write a thriller, realism is always sitting on one side of the scale. I've never actually worked a field investigation, but between my background in law enforcement, my certificate in criminology, and my micro-program in cyber-investigation, I do have a slightly sharper eye for these things — I'll give myself that.

So naturally, there are moments when people who know the world from the inside think, "Uh... that's not possible," or — my favorite, straight from a colleague's — "that's going a little too well!"

It's a fun challenge. I'm very much a micro-details person; I like it when the foundation holds up and the procedures feel credible. But at the end of the day, let's not forget: this is fiction first and foremost. It takes a bit of Hollywood to move the plot forward and deliver that good old dramatic punch! The real trick is finding the balance between rigor and the right to bend the rules just a little, in the name of entertainment.

By the way, if you'd like to chat about what goes on behind the scenes, or ask me your questions about Morgane Hébert in person, I'll be at the Salon du livre d'Oka on September 5th!

In the meantime — do you like it when a crime novel sticks close to reality, or do you prefer when the action takes over a bit?

👉 Looking for a read with just the right dose of suspense and realism? This way.