Mystery/Suspense Genre Discussion Help

kio · Post by **kio** » 28 Dec 2015, 20:23

Mystery (also crime or detective) Genre is Defined as: a novel in which the protagonist's primary objective is to solve a puzzle or crime by ascertaining the truth through a combination of logic, observation, deduction, inference, or frankly, by sheer luck (humorous mystery

) It's usually a murder, but can be any kind of crime.

Suspense is defined as: a genre in which the feeling of pleasurable fascination and scrub excitement mixed with apprehension, tension, and anxiety developed from an unpredictable, mysterious, and/or rousing source of entertainment is triggered. Frequently preceded by an appropriate adjective (legal suspense/thriller, political suspense/thriller, etc.), the emphasis is often on action and suspense. The plot typically involves a hero and villain, with plenty of close calls before the hero prevails.

Some examples of Mystery Include:

1. Novels by Diane Mott Davidson

2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (also a bit of a suspense)

3. Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

4. Many of the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich

5. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

6. Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

7. Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Suspense examples include:

1. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (and probably some of his others)

2. Tell No One by Harlen Coben

3. Rizzoli and Isles novels by Tess Gerritsen

4. Prey series by John Sandford

5. Many of James Patterson's novels

6. Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

7. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

8. Spectra by Joanne Elder

I'd even go so far as to consider Star Wars a science fiction/suspense novel. For further ideas, check out:

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A86.JyBR ... wSb_FFMyg-

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A86.JyBR ... wSb_FFMyg-

or check out the onlinebookclub.org book reviews

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 28 Dec 2015, 22:46

I actually have several different series I've been meaning to read...I guess now's as good a time as any. Aside from that, I plan to read the second Sherlock, and the new Simon R. Green.

gali · Post by **gali** » 28 Dec 2015, 22:51

I also have several books I plan to read.

Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 29 Dec 2015, 09:59

Ooo...can't wait for this month's book! I have a few in mind, as well

-- 01 Jan 2016, 22:32 --

I'm thinking of starting with Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. I've been wanting to read that for a while.

steampunk_girl · Post by **steampunk_girl** » 03 Jan 2016, 03:26

I have been meaning to read the girl on the train for some time now

Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 03 Jan 2016, 20:36

steampunk_girl wrote:I have been meaning to read the girl on the train for some time now

I've read it, and I really liked it!

DarkestbeforeDawn · Post by **DarkestbeforeDawn** » 17 Jan 2016, 00:49

Thanks for the list! I've never really hit a note with this genre, but maybe one of these will get me hooked!

katiesquilts · Post by **katiesquilts** » 23 Jan 2016, 14:54

I wouldn't consider The Hunger Games suspense, so it was interesting to see it on the list!

FreebieAddict15 · Post by **FreebieAddict15** » 25 Jan 2016, 02:23

One of the girls I watch on youtube suggested a mystery/suspense book called The Piper by Lynn Hightower. From what I have read on the description of the book, it seems like a great read!

I love Dean Koontz and James Patterson, so I may pick up a couple of their books to read as well.

Szablewskia · Post by **Szablewskia** » 05 Aug 2016, 17:55

Suspense and mystery books are one of the many genre's I enjoy. I was thinking about which books I could recognize when all I had to do is look over to my bookshelf and I saw many! James Patterson novels are a prime example. Mary Higgins Clark and Ted Dekker are also good examples of great authors of suspense and mystery. It's that addictive feeling readers get when they immerse themselves into the world of the characters; they become the characters. It's the feeling of being on the edge of your seat eager to figure out what happens next as the plot keeps rising. There are moments of intensity when reading suspense novels that I hold my breath in suspenseful situations; sometimes it's the quickening of breath and pulse.
A lot of the novels I have read have a combination of suspense and mystery. I don't believe a story would be as good as it could be without the other components. What is a mystery without some suspenseful moments? What is a suspense novel without some type of mystery. I am sure a suspenseful romance could do well too, but it's not often I grab a book I've never heard of and it's a suspense novel with characteristics other than a mystery.