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9781479831111

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In his compelling new book Crime Wave, James Tuttle explores the connection between America's decline and the rising homicide rate, focusing specifically on the period between 2015 and 2021. He examines what he calls an ‘American Malaise’—a time when the economy falters, community bonds weaken, and trust in government and major institutions erodes. What happens to a society when faith in each other and its institutions is lost? Many Americans are left to cope in self-destructive ways, turning to drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and the purchase of firearms in an attempt to feel safe. Grounded in core sociological and criminological concepts, this thought-provoking book will leave you reflecting on the most serious of crimes. * Karen Parker, co-editor of Taking Stock of Homicide: Trends, Emerging Themes, and Research Challenges * Crime Wave presents an informative investigation into the significant and unexpected rise in homicide from 2015 to 2021. It provides a detailed overview of the scope and magnitude of this increase while also assessing the criminogenic forces that contributed to it. Tuttle advances an overarching premise that the recent homicide increase is a product of the ongoing decline in the institutional and psychosocial foundations of American society, worsened by the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuttle utilizes city-level data to test explanations for the homicide increase—indicators of societal decline, including substance use, deteriorating legitimacy, and firearm purchases. Crime Wave concludes with a bold and insightful forecast of potential trends in homicide rates in the coming years. Both scholars and students will find valuable insights in this work, and no researcher studying trends in American homicide should overlook it. * Mark Berg, Director of the Center for Social Science Innovation at the University of Iowa *

Author Information

James Tuttle is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Montana. His work has appeared in Justice Quarterly, British Journal of Criminology, Homicide Studies, and the Journal of School Violence.

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