Is crime writing all about violence?

Violence does play a key role in crime writing, whether it is physical, psychological or emotional abuse. In McEwans's 'Atonement' we are introduced to both physical and emotional violence exerted by Paul Marshal onto Lola. The aspect which makes Paul Marshall's violent behaviour so striking in the novel is his seemingly 'normal' appearance. He leaves visible marks on Lola's arms, suggesting that he is confident about not being exposed to the entire family. More significantly, it is Lola's rape which triggers the plot. Briony, lost in her imagination and naivety, falsely accuses Robbie Turner of raping Lola, making him the subject of immense violence as a prisoner fighting in the Second World War. Although Briony's crime (which is arguably at the centre of the plot) is caused by violence (Lola's rape), it does not consist of violence. The narrator states that Briony "hadn't intended to mislead", diminshing the importance of violence in the novel. This is an unconventional turn by McEwan as he pushes the boundaries of post-modern crime writing, creating a character who has commited her crime naively. Therefore, although violence can provoke crimes, it is not necessarily the sole element in any given crime. Characters in crime-writing are often much more complex than we originally observe. Despite other motives of characters which sideline violence, in some instances the problem of violence is the greater message in crime texts. The importance of social criticism is seen in many crime novels and poems. Continuing on from  'Atonement', it is clear that McEwan is criticising warfare through presenting the atrocities of the Second World War through Robbie Turner's horrifying experiences. At the beginning of the chapter Robbie Turner comes across a "perfect, smooth, pale leg" which is stuck in a tree. This vivid and shocking description is a clear criticism of the innocent life lost at the hands of conflict and fighting. It creates a point about the fragility of human nature, and that the sheer destruction of war is against human nature. Therefore, violence is always at the heart of crime writing, although it is most significant when it is used to comment on social issues.