Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
About Face
Hannah was the only thing that shone bright on that overcast morning. In fact, she was the highlight of any type of day. Her hazel eyes glittered, her brown hair glistened, and her smile radiated exuberance, curiosity, and innocence. At two, she had already charmed the entire neighborhood and by four—her age that day—the parents at her pre-K school often marveled at not just her beauty, but her innate kindness. Their remarks always made me smile with maternal pride, though I sometimes felt slighted on behalf of Sydney who, while perhaps more guarded and slightly tomboyish, was equally good-natured and incredibly bright, but did not generate the same praise as her younger sister.
By Katherine Silvey Bates5 years ago in Criminal
The Freak Accident
I had just left the office to pick up Simon's lunch order from the café in the town canter. He has a standing order there of a ham and cheese toastie, a croissant with jam and cream, black coffee with room for milk, 4 shortbread biscuits and a bottle of water to wash it all down with, for me to collect by 13:15, 6 days a week. The café was happy to have the business I'm sure, as it's always empty when I walk in to pick up the basket they insist on putting his order in, but I have never questioned why; and Simon always gives me a £50 note to tip them with whenever I go. He's rich enough too.
By Jess Bennett5 years ago in Criminal
A 'Little Black Book'
Day 1 The year 2020, had been a very trying year for most in these United States.. but, for Malcolm.. unbeknownst to everyone else in his small community.. the year 2020 had been… let’s just say, “quite giving”, in the strangest of ways.
By Muhammad Hakim II5 years ago in Criminal
A Filmmaker's Guide to: Crime on Film
In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Criminal
Book Review: "Love as Always, Mum" by Mae West
When we talk about true crime, we normally speak about the person who wrote the book as simply an author - someone who had done their research, spoken to people, compiled evidence of psychologists and forensics to paint a close analysis of this criminal in question. However, in this true crime book, no research was needed. This may have been the author of the book but she was also the daughter of the killers - bearing witness and often suffering their brutality.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Criminal
A little black book
“Wake up sleeping beauty!” In his life, Frank had been called many things, but beauty was not one of them. Growing up had been hard, as it had been for a lot of kids from his neighborhood. His father had left shortly after his birth, and his mother had become bitter and angry at being strapped with a young child. She often told Frank that being his mother was the worst thing that could have happened to her. Frank was very certain that being her son was actually worse, so he escaped home when he was 15.
By Sarah Elizabeth Cunningham5 years ago in Criminal
Putting a bad man away
It was not too long after my sister passed away that my mum met Pete Johnson a soldier from the black watch, he had been friends with my mum previous before he went to the army but got talking again when he was on leave. I don't think my mother was thinking clearly at the time because after a week of being together I was told she was getting married and not only that but we were also moving to Hong Kong. I was 10 at the time. Once the wedding was over my mum began packing up our house and belongings, a week later we were waiting on our plane to take us to Hong Kong. I really did not want to go but as a child I had no choice in the matter. The flight was 10 hours long and when we arrived at Hong Kong it was something I had never experienced the heat coming off the plain was so much hotter than the summers we ever had in Scotland. Once we were in our barracks we were led to our house which was a flat on the 2nd floor. After 2 weeks of being there Pete beat my mother so badly she was unconcious and even the soles of her feet were badly bruised I thought he was going to kill her as I shouted "leave my mum alone" not the kind of life I was expecting to be honest but we were on the other side of the world no one could save us. It didn't take long and the beatings were on me too, I was not used to being beat up by a 27 year old soldier, he really did hurt me even breaking my back one time by kicking me really hard with his army boots that were steel toe cap. The beatings was the first to come the second was the sexual abuse he made me endure during the night when my mother was in bed. I hated him, and I hated my mother for taking me away from everything and everyone I loved, I hated my life and felt suicidal at age 11.
By Michelle King5 years ago in Criminal
The Hack of a New Generation
Inside a diner people are casually having a nice meal and it’s the usual hustle and bustle of a lunch rush. A young woman in a dress is talking to someone on the phone and eyes a young handsome man, Joseph in a blue suit. A shot is fired, and the man sitting next to Joseph falls into his burger dead.
By Elizabeth Findley5 years ago in Criminal
The policy
"Fuck that shit, I am not going to sell this book to anyone! Leave it alone, and leave my study, now. " That small leather black book, texture so rich and smooth in my hand, disappeared quickly from my grip, the smell of old leather disappeared from under me. I looked up and straight into the eyes of the most brilliant man I know. Or I thought I knew.
By Anabelle Lai5 years ago in Criminal
