Thompson's storytelling methods stand as a stark contrast to his contemporaries in the realm of detective and crime fiction. His novels are profound psychological explorations that venture into the most shadowy corners of the human psyche. Even characters perceived as "good" face scrutiny, their motives laid bare for the reader's examination. Often devoid of a definitive moral compass, his stories compel readers to project their own ethical frameworks onto the narrative. Employing a unique narrative style, Thompson grants each character the stage for a chapter or two, enabling a multifaceted perspective. In this novel, ten distinctive voices weave the tale across fourteen chapters. While William Faulkner popularized this technique in masterpieces like The Sound and the Fury (1929) and As I Lay Dying (1930), few have wielded it with the finesse and efficacy that Thompson achieves.

Thompson excels in the art of subtlety. In the nuanced and satirical pages of this novel, readers must piece together their own judgments about the characters' moral landscapes in The Criminal. These figures are convincingly human, with all their schemes and fallibilities, yet at times, they seem to operate as if driven by predetermined stimuli, triggering expected reactions. The American justice system itself emerges as a character, its myriad complexities and manipulations exposed.

Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, Thompson imbues even the slightest gesture or action with critical significance to the unfolding plot. His concise novels demand unwavering focus; those who fail to engage deeply may find themselves adrift in the whirlwind of events.

Exploring the Ethics of Justice

Within the pages of The Criminal, a profound question looms large: What truly defines criminal behavior? Thompson delves into the tangled ethics, or often the stark absence thereof, within America's justice system. He masterfully unfolds the influence of public sentiment on legal outcomes, probing how media—especially the press—shapes these perceptions. Anchored by the gripping tale of Bobby, a teenager entangled in charges of rape and murder against his young neighbor, the narrative scrutinizes how respect and disregard for ethical standards mold societal awareness. In the vein of many of Thompson's characters, Bobby Talbert finds his fate dictated by an indifferent world. As one critic aptly describes, the novel transforms into "a study of collective guilt."

The Journalist's Role

Thompson, drawing from his own experience as a journalist, is captivated by the detached lives of those in the media realm. Journalists and newspaper moguls, driven by a relentless urge to outpace rivals, often wield stories as tools of competition, heedless of the havoc they may wreak on the lives portrayed. The novel paints a vivid picture of the journalistic hierarchy: the enigmatic owner known as the Captain, the newsroom's commanding force Skysmith, and the ever-curious beat reporter, Bill Willis. Thompson invites readers to peer into the private worlds of these figures, encouraging judgment upon their moral fabric. The newspaper owner never steps into the light; his voice, reaching through the telephone, echoes the edicts of unseen deities from Mt. Olympus, dictating human destinies. Despite his absence from the newsroom floor, he displays an uncanny grasp of the unfolding drama and its players. To Skysmith, the Captain presents an ethical dilemma impossible to resolve. Burdened by sorrow over his dying wife, Skysmith engages in dual dialogues with his superior—one spoken, one imagined—allowing the reader to choose which path of Skysmith's response to embrace.

The Complexity of Guilt

In this intricate web of narratives, the accused boy's culpability takes a back seat to the moral ambiguities of those around him, each contributing to the crime and its reverberations. Thompson deftly balances attention among his cast, though Skysmith...