SHARJAH, UAE- Crime fiction’s enduring appeal goes beyond the mystery of discovering who committed a crime, extending to questions of justice, human behaviour and the moral choices people make, Egyptian novelist Noha Dawood and British author Clare Mackintosh told audiences at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
During a session titled ‘Why Does the Whole World Read Crime?’, moderated by Mohammed Al Attar, the authors explored the genre’s global popularity, discussing the role of compelling characters, unexpected twists and the pursuit of justice. The session formed part of SIBF’s Thriller Festival, which brings together Arab and international crime writers.
Dawood said she had been an avid reader of crime fiction long before becoming a writer herself. For her, the genre offers an escape from everyday life while also giving readers something reality often does not: an answer.
“Crime novels usually end with us knowing who the killer is and seeing justice achieved,” she said. “They give us an ending that we may not always find in our daily lives.”
She added that trying to solve a mystery keeps readers mentally engaged and can deepen their understanding of why people make certain choices.
Noha Dawood
Good people, bad choices
For Mackintosh, much of the fascination lies in the moral line separating right and wrong.
“What I like to write about is the way that good people do bad things, and sometimes bad people do good things,” she said.
That complexity, she argued, only works when the characters are believable.
“You can have a really exciting plot, but if we don’t care about the character, we’re not going to read it,” Mackintosh said. “What’s really important is to create a character who is compelling, who we feel is relatable, and we want to follow along that journey.”
Dawood agreed that writers need enough empathy to understand even those who commit crimes, while leaving room for readers to make their own judgments.
Playing a game with the reader
Both authors also described crime fiction as an active relationship between writer and reader.
“Every time I write a book, I’m playing a game of chase, of cat and mouse, with the reader,” Mackintosh said. “Can you solve the mystery before I give you the answer?”
She said she gives readers clues while allowing them to make assumptions that can later be overturned. “I will never deceive you. I will never be unfair,” she said. “You will play a trick on yourself.”
For Dawood, the same balancing act means deciding carefully what to reveal and what to hold back so the reader can take on the role of investigator.
Yet justice does not always require a neat ending. Dawood said writers sometimes need to respect the logic of the story even when it leads somewhere readers may not expect, while Mackintosh drew on her 12 years in policing to distinguish justice from closure.
“There is no such thing as an ending,” Mackintosh said, noting that the consequences of crime continue for victims, offenders and their families long after a verdict.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
