The best mystery and thriller books are more than whodunnits and cliffhangers. They create complex narratives, develop amazing characters, and make their readers turn the pages of their books with bated breath. If you plan on writing a mystery novel that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats, then knowing what makes this genre tick is imperative.
A Gripping Hook and Active Reader Participation
The best mysteries and thrillers start with a bang. The first scene or chapter provides the reader with the main conflict, the context of the story, and the desire to know more. This hook can be a crime, a disappearance, a threat, or even a mystery. The idea is to make the reader interested in the story from the very beginning and care about the mystery to be solved.
But a great mystery is not something that you watch or listen to idly. The best books in the genre are those that make the reader participate. This is where authors incorporate hints, enigmas, and other such elements into the plot, engaging the reader in solving the crime alongside the detective or main character.
Red Herrings and Suspenseful Dialogue
The mystery and thriller genre is built on the principle of deception. The authors introduce red herrings into the plot – these are false leads or misinformation that lead to the wrong suspect or conclusion. These red herrings maintain the suspense, help to mislead the readers, and make the revelation of the actual events more rewarding. Another significant part of the creation of suspense is dialogue. Mystery writers especially are very careful when choosing their words, and the dialogues they write are full of tension, threats, and secrets that are never said out loud.
A World That Comes Alive
The best mystery and thriller novels are not just set somewhere; they bring readers to a specific place. Whether it is a city depicted as dangerous, a large isolated house with a mysterious history, or a small peaceful town that is not as innocent as it seems, a good setting can become a character. A setting can also give the audience an idea of the environment in which the story is set and can also give hints about the story.
The Detective, the Victim, and the Suspects
A good mystery or thriller always depends on the characters. The audience has to be interested in the characters who are involved in the plot. This is especially true with the detective or the protagonist who must solve the main puzzle. The victim, too, should not be just a name on the page but rather a real person with a life and a story.
However, even if they are not the main characters, developing their history and desires is possible, which will make the plot richer. The same applies to the suspects as well. A good mystery should not have easily identifiable antagonists at the beginning. The best suspects are realistic and fully developed.
A Satisfying Conclusion
The climax and resolution of a mystery or thriller are perhaps the most important elements. The ending should provide answers to all the questions created in the story and be a good ending. This doesn’t mean a happy ending, but it means an ending that is plausible and makes sense, given the rules of the fictional universe and the characters’ personalities.