I like thrillers, suspense, and mysteries because they are books I can’t put down. I am dying to find out what happens next. Along the way, the author drops breadcrumbs, clues to reveal who the bad guy is. We start to form an opinion about the antagonist and their motivation to commit a serious crime.
When the suspense heats up, we experience an adrenaline rush, and we can’t look away.
Thrillers also trigger our empathy for the victim. We are rooting for the detectives and the victim’s loved ones, wanting justice.
Twists and turns pop up throughout the story. They challenge our critical thinking. My biggest pet peeve about some authors is when they have a twist that makes little sense.
Along the way, the reader learns things, helpful to the investigation. Sometimes they have information not revealed to the characters. We’d like to warn them of danger up ahead, but we can’t.
Thrillers are escapism at its best. The story takes us outside our comfort zone, sometimes to a world we didn’t know existed.
Although I have written romance, suspense is my favorite genre. I never know what my characters will do or say. Sometimes I’m as surprised as the reader when it gets down to the who-done-it. Many times, I throw in a red herring, and take the reader (and detectives) on a wild goose chase until I expose the actual killer.
Come along for the ride. You will love my Colt Jessup series about a cop who doesn’t always play by the rules, but he gets his man (or woman). You can find my suspense novels on Amazon. I recommend you begin with Book One, ROCK BOTTOM, which is available for a free download, along with dozens of other thrillers. Click this link to get the free books.
Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vuono
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