You know that edge-of-your-seat, what's-going-to-happen-next, feeling?
That's one of the best parts of a thriller novel. They're unpredictable.
Exciting. Razor sharp. I could go on forever, but here are ten reasons you'll
want to pick up a thriller as your next read.
They keep you guessing. Reallyβ¦what difficulty will arise?
Who is responsible? I adore how thrillers spin perfectly ordinary things, like a
stroll through the woods, into something sinister. You can tuck yourself between
the pages and get lost for hours, curled under the covers, looking over your
shoulder as you read.
The settings are usually eerie. Dark nights. Deserted
roads. Spooky swamps. Sleepy islands. A sprawling, empty house. Ghostly coves.
Shadows. Mystery. The setting itself becomes a living thing, with a heartbeat of
its own. Like if you reach out, it just might grab you.
The characters are sly. A thriller never fails to give you
a mischievous character. You can't figure out what they're really up to, and
that's a good thing. Parts of them are hiddenβperhaps it's their past, possibly
where they disappear to at certain hours of the day, or even their closely
guarded thoughts. They make you wonder if maybe, just maybe, they could be the
culprit.
Secrets are everywhere. They're carried around in
characters' pockets like pennies. Sure, they're usually revealed along the way,
little breadcrumbs to keep you going, but they're there. Looming like whatever
trouble awaits you on the next page.
Everyone is a suspect. You can't help wondering if each
character has an ulterior motive. They probably do. Most do. Constant
vigilance.
They get inside your head. They cut straight through and
make you think. You're analyzing the story from every angle, trying to know it
inside and out, wanting to tell what's really happening underneath the surface.
I bet there's a thriller you can think of that lingers with you still.
They make great movie adaptations. Chills. Wide eyes
staring at the screen. Fast-paced fun.
They lie. They paint word pictures with brilliant accuracy
only for you to realize that the vision you had is wrong. A certain character is
really bad, not good. A trusted person is the betrayer. Or maybe you suspected
someone because they seem too nice, too quiet, too perfect. And they're just
naturally that way, nothing sinister. You feel like you've been bested. And many
times, you have.
There are often surprise twists. A gut-wrenching
realization at the end. Or you see the ending coming, but something along the
way flips your assumptions upside down like a topsy-turvy carnival ride. Think
you have it figured out? Chances are: you don't.
They leave you breathless. That final feelingβafter you
close the last page and tuck the spine onto your shelfβlike you've run a
marathon, but also need to sleep with the lights on? That's the best. Nothing
compares to a novel that makes you feel as though you've solved the problem and
put the mystery to rest, but you peek once more over your shoulder. Just in
case.
Soβ¦what are your favorite parts of thriller novels? Are there any that you read
over and over again because you can't get enough?
Amber Hart resides on the Florida coastline with family and a plethora of
animals she affectionately refers to as her urban farm. When unable to find a
book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She's
the author of several novels for teens and adults, including Wicked Charm, the
Before & After series, and the Untamed series.
If it makes me want to sit in the middle of the room, all the lights even though it is day, it's done its job! (Kathleen Bylsma 5:34pm January 30, 2018)
© 2003-2026