The number one sign of a great suspense novel is that it makes you lose track of time. You’ll resolve to read one more chapter before going to bed, only to read until the early hours of the morning because you just have to see what happens next. Authors of suspense fiction aim to lure readers in to the story and keep them in a constant state of curiosity and intrigue. Just how do authors manage to hold their readers captive? What are their secrets in creating a heart pounding suspense novel?
Common Themes in Suspense Fiction
Film director Alfred Hitchcock said, “Contrary to popular belief, suspense bears no relationship to fear. Instead, it is the state of waiting for something to happen.” Keeping readers in a state of suspense requires suspense novels to use a number of tactics that are not always used in mystery or horror novels. Those tactics include:
- Keeping readers informed. In horror novels, readers feel fear because they don’t know when or where the monster will appear next. In suspense fiction, the reader knows where the monster is, but the character may not. Instead of feeling afraid, readers are curious to see when or if the character will notice the threat.
- Cliffhangers. Leaving the reader “hanging” is crucial in a suspenseful novel. Think of when you’re watching a TV show and just as the climax is going to be revealed, it cuts to a commercial. Suspense writers are careful to invoke this feeling of anticipation and apprehension in the reader.
- Emotions. Mysteries tend to have more intellectual elements so readers can try to solve the crime or puzzle along with the protagonist. In suspense fiction, emotional elements are used so readers feel more connected to the character’s personal experience with the event. For example, instead of having a random child be taken hostage, an author might have the child be the protagonist’s son.
- Anticipation over action. Author Steven James writes, “Suspense happens in the stillness of your story, in the gaps between the action sequences, in the moments between the promise of something dreadful and its arrival.” Instead of jumping into action right away, let the tension build.
- Limited violence, but lots of fear. James also writes, “The scariest stories often contain very little violence.” Authors of suspense often play on common fears such as being alone or lost, while having the threat of violence in the background.
- Protagonist at a Disadvantage. Near the final climax of the story, the main character may get hurt, isolated, or be otherwise inconvenienced before confronting the main threat. When the antagonist has power over the protagonist, it builds more apprehension in readers who have grown attached to the character.
Top Suspense Authors
Hundreds of authors have crafted thrilling suspense novels that leave readers on the edge of their seat until the very last page, and we know how hard it can be to choose just one book to read! So, we created this list of our top three suspense authors and their most popular books to help you choose your next reading adventure.
Teresa Driscoll
Teresa Driscoll’s psychological thriller I Am Watching You will leave readers hanging on to every word. The story begins when Ella notices a few men flirting with some young teenage girls on the train. Her instincts told her to intervene, but something stops her at the last minute. The next day, one of the girls Ella had seen on the train is reported as missing. Ella is consumed with guilt, but after she starts receiving threatening notes about the teenager’s disappearance, she fears not only for the teenager’s life, but also her own.
Michael Connelly
This #1 New York Times bestselling author has written over 30 novels and has sold millions of copies worldwide. In his popular novel The Late Show, Michael Connelly introduces a character named Detective Renee Ballard. In this book, Renee uncovers two grisly crimes during her nightly shift in Hollywood and she becomes determined to solve them, despite orders. As she gets deeper into these cases, she needs to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to bring justice to the victims.
Rachel Caine
Stillhouse Lake is Rachel Caine’s first book in the Stillhouse Lake trilogy and a USA Today bestseller. Main character Gina Royal has a seemingly average, normal life; she has two happy children, a great husband, and a cozy Midwestern home. But when she finds out the secret crimes of her husband and he lands himself in prison, her entire world is flipped upside down. She relocates her family and changes her name…but it still might not be enough to protect her from evil.
Where to Find Free Kindle Suspense Novels
You can find all of Amazon’s free Kindle suspense novels here. The list is updated often, so you’ll never run out of new reading material. If you’d like even more free Kindle books and personalized reading recommendations, please sign up with us at JustKindleBooks today!
