The Appeal of Murder & Meaning: Exploring Crime Fiction and Wellbeing…
Bradford Libraries has teamed up with Bradford University to bring you a bumper Crime Reading Month in June.
Here, Dr Min Yong, Associate Professor (Department of Psychology, School of Law and Social Sciences) explains a little about her research and gives insight into why we are hooked on the darker side of fiction.
Why do so many of us love crime fiction? Whether it’s a twisty whodunnit, a gripping psychological thriller, or a forensic deep dive, crime stories continue to capture readers of all ages. As part of Crime Reading Month with Bradford Libraries, our research is exploring exactly that question and what it might mean for our wellbeing.
At the University of Bradford, we’re interested in how reading, especially crime fiction, might support mental and social wellbeing. Our research findings suggest that engaging with fiction can help us understand other people’s thoughts and feelings—a skill known as “mentalising.” Crime fiction, with its complex characters and moral dilemmas, may be particularly powerful in this regard. But we still know relatively little about what it is that readers are drawn to. Is it the puzzle of solving a mystery? The emotional escape? The chance to step into someone else’s world?
Through our work with Bradford Libraries, we are exploring these questions with local readers to learn what people enjoy about crime fiction and what they feel they gain from it on their wellbeing. Data from Bradford Library’s Big Tasty Read in 2025 showed that reading can be a social activity, bringing people together through shared interests and conversations. In a time when many of us feel increasingly isolated or too engrossed with our screens, libraries are playing a vital role as welcoming community spaces where people can come together.
Our “Crime and Cake” event at Ilkley Library really brought this to life. Alongside a fantastic talk by JM Hall, there was a real buzz in the room with people chatting, sharing recommendations, and enjoying the atmosphere. Events like this highlight the unique magic of libraries: they are not just places to borrow books, but spaces for conversation, curiosity, and connection with others.
Working with Bradford Libraries on Crime Reading Month has been incredibly exciting. It’s a chance to take research out of the university and into the community, learning directly from readers themselves. These insights will help us understand how reading can best support different groups of people, particularly in reducing loneliness and supporting wellbeing across the lifespan.
So whether you’re a lifelong crime fan or just curious, we hope you will join us at one of the upcoming events. There’s something for everyone—and, as we’ve discovered, the combination of crime, conversation, and cake is hard to beat.
Written:
Dr Min Yong
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of Bradford https://www.bradford.ac.uk/staff/myong/
Leave a comment