What Are the Pros And Cons Of Third Person POV In A Crime Novel? (2025)

As a crime fiction editor and a traditionally published author of psychological suspense novels, one of the most important decisions I help writers make is choosing the right point of view (POV) for their story. The POV you select can shape the entire reader experience, particularly in the intricate world of crime fiction. In this blog, we’ll take a close look at the third person POV and its pros and cons for crafting a gripping crime novel.

What Is Narrative Point of View (POV)?

Narrative POV refers to who is telling the story and how much they know. Writers generally have three main options:

• First person POV: The narrator is a character in the story, using ‘I’ or ‘we’.
• Third person limited POV: The narrator tells the story from outside the characters but sticks closely to one character’s thoughts and feelings, using ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’.
• Third person omniscient POV: The narrator knows everything about every character and event, offering insight into multiple perspectives and plotlines.

Both first and third person can be written in the past tense or present tense, affecting how immediate or reflective the narrative feels. For this blog, we’ll zoom in on the third person POV and how it plays out in crime fiction.

Why Focus on Third Person POV?

Third person POV offers a wider range of narrative tools for crime fiction authors. You can choose between limited (sticking with one character’s thoughts) or omniscient (where the narrator knows all characters’ thoughts and actions), making it a versatile choice.

Some well-known crime fiction novels written in third person include:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattooby Stieg Larsson
• The Silence of the Lambsby Thomas Harris
• Big Little Liesby Liane Moriarty

Now, let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks of writing in third-person.

Pros of Writing Crime Fiction in Third Person POV

1) Multiple Perspectives
Third person POV allows you to explore the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters. This is especially useful in crime fiction, where different perspectives (e.g., detective, suspect, victim) can add depth to the mystery.

2) Broader World-Building
With third person POV, you aren’t confined to what one character knows. You can describe events happening in different locations or introduce details beyond the immediate scope of a single character, giving your readers a much fuller picture of the plot.

3) Flexibility with Tension
Third person POV lets you control what information you reveal and when. You can create dramatic irony, where the reader knows something the protagonist doesn’t, which heightens suspense. It’s a powerful tool in crime fiction to keep readers on edge.

Cons of Writing Crime Fiction in Third Person POV

1) Emotional Distance
Third person POV can sometimes create a gap between the reader and the characters. Unlike first person POV, where readers are right inside the narrator’s head, third person narration can feel more detached. This may make it harder for readers to emotionally connect with your characters.

2) More Complex Plot Management
Writing in third person, especially if you’re juggling multiple perspectives, can lead to a more complex narrative structure. Keeping track of different storylines and making sure the transitions between characters are seamless can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced crime novel.

3) Risk of Over-Exposition
With third person omniscient POV, there’s a risk of giving away too much too soon. Because the narrator knows everything, you’ll need to be careful about withholding information from readers to maintain suspense. Dropping clues subtly without making the plot feel too predictable requires finesse.

What POV Do You Prefer In A Crime Novel?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to narrative POV. Third person can be a fantastic choice for crime fiction, allowing for complex plots and rich character development, but it can also distance readers from the emotional core of the story.

What POV do you prefer to write in, and why? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Once you’ve decided which POV best suits your story, check out The Plot Thickens crime novel planner – its structured framework helped me plot my published crime novels quickly and easily. It’s the perfect tool to help you outline your story, after deciding which character(s)’ viewpoints will tell the tale most effectively!

If you’ve found ‘What Are the Pros and Cons of Third Person POV in a Crime Novel?’ helpful, click to read these related posts:

A-Z of Crime Fiction: A Guide For Authors

What Are The Pros And Cons Of First Person POV In A Crime Novel?

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