Own Voice Representation in high-stakes suspense.
My debut novel, ‘The Profiler’s Shadow’, is a psychological crime thriller with a transgender woman protagonist that is part procedural and, most certainly, a dark psychological exploration of PTSD and queer resilience. The procedural thriller has evolved over time, shifting from a mystery/puzzle-solving genre to one that’s higher-stakes and more reflective of today’s gritty, sometimes harsh reality.
Own-voices novels offer authentic and diverse perspectives. Gone are the (white) male-only thrillers. Okay, white male voices are not gone gone, but space has been made for more voices. Thrillers written by LGBTQ+ and other marginalized voices are starting to thrive. The trope of the knight in shining armour is no longer the only option out in the literary-verse. Queer, poc, and authors with disabilities writing novels reflecting a fuller view and understanding of contemporary life.
When it comes to trans voices, there remains a dearth. That’s not to say there are no trans authors out there, because I’ve had the privilege of reading many trans authored novels and loved the quality of the storytelling. I wanted my debut psychological crime thriller to be something of a mirror of my voice. The Profiler’s Shadow integrates queer identities into high-stakes, mainstream suspense plots. The protagonist, Mary Dubois, is a hyper-competent, transgender woman and former profiler for the Sureté du Québec who grapples with PTSD.
The Profiler’s Shadow is a gripping, atmospheric psychological thriller that balances intense, visceral suspense with deep emotional resonance. The narrative is steeped in the lush, isolating beauty of the Québec countryside, creating a stark contrast with the brutal, highly staged murder tableaux. The tone is heavy with hypervigilance and the haunting weight of past abuse, yet it is ultimately a story of queer resilience, healing, and the powerful reclamation of agency through found family.
Joelel Circé
