SUSPENSE/THRILLERS

DEFINITION: Suspense and thrillers are two of the most popular genres for readers because of their fast pacing, plot twists, and emotional appeal. Suspense novels compress action into a short period of time, emphasize the psychological and physical danger the protagonist faces and appeal to the reader’s sense of unease. Emotionally the reader identifies with the survival of the central character. Thrillers, on the other hand, are complex stories that use a specific world such as the courtroom, medical laboratory, or government agency, often have exotic settings, and emphasize the defeat of the villain and his conspirators.  In both genres, the story is filled with tension, plot twists, and most recently graphic violence and sex. The distinctions between the two genres are blurring as writers use elements from both genres and the mystery genre in their books. See Also Mystery.

Classic Authors: Eric Ambler, Jeffrey Archer, Daphne Du Maurier, Ian Fleming, Graham Greene, Thomas Harris, Robert Ludlum

CHARACTERISTICS: Plot rules--often intricately woven plots--clever, often with a dash of history and science--fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes--Suspense, red herrings, and cliffhangers are used extensively.  Sense of foreboding--menacing atmosphere--danger--some violent action.  Twists and turns--layers of secrets--exotic locales

APPEAL:
Reader identifies with dilemma of protagonist--feels the fear--can view violence from a safe distance
Pure entertainment--safe, predictable, fun
Riveting--quick moving stories--reader can be privy to secrets and can jump from one narrow escape to another--We like to be scared
Clear delineation between good and evil

READERS: Something for everyone but men primarily are attracted by the horror/action/military/techno/spy thrillers while women prefer the romantic suspense/psychological/medical novels

SUBGENRES: Action/ Military, Bio/Eco Thrillers, Conspiracy Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Financial/Corporate, Horror/Supernatural, Legal Thrillers, Medical/ Forensic, Military/Techno-Thrillers, Political Thrillers, Psychological Suspense, Romantic  Suspense, Serial Killers, Spy Thrillers.

TOP AUTHORS: James Patterson, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Mary Higgins Clark

TRENDS:  Terrorism is the new arch enemy; Romance writers have turned to writing Romantic Suspense; Ancient as well as contemporary conspiracies ala The Da Vinci Code play key roles

WEBSITES:
International Thriller Writers = http://www.thrillerwriters.org/
Horror Writers Assoc. = http://horror.org/
HorrorFind.com = http://horrorfind.com/ 

REFERENCE BOOKS:  Blood, Bedlam, Bullets, and Badguys : a Reader’s Guide to Adventure /Suspense Fiction by Michael B. Gannon Libraries Unlimited. 2004.

PUBLISHERS:  All major publishers

MAGAZINES:  Most major book reviewing publications feature articles and reviews of suspense and thriller authors

ORGANIZATIONS:  ITW = International Thriller Writers  http://www.thrillerwriters.org/

AWARDS:
The Thriller Award is presented at the International Thriller Writers annual “Thrillerfest”
2006: Thrillermaster Clive Cussler                   
2007: Thrillermaster James Patterson               

Best Novel
2006:  The Patriots Club, Christopher Reich (Delacorte Press)
2007:  Killer Instinct, Joseph Finder (St. Martin's Press)
Best First Novel
2006:  Improbable, Adam Fawer (Willaim Morrow)
2007:  Mr. Clarinet, Nick Stone (Michael Joseph Ltd/Penguin)

Best Paperback Original
2006:  Pride Runs Deep, R. Cameron Cooke (Jove)
2007:  An Unquiet Grave, P.J. Parrish (Pinnacle)

Best Screenplay
2006:  Cache (Hidden), screenplay by Michael Haneke
2007: The Good Shepherd, Eric Roth

Prepared by Ricki Nordmeyer
September 2007