Let’s chat about the Thriller/Suspense book genre. Do you have any favorites to share?
Julie:
I don’t read too much in this genre, but there are a few I’ve loved over the years. I tore through a bunch of the [easyazon_link identifier=”0307474275″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]Dan Brown[/easyazon_link]books, with the Robert Langdon series (The DaVinci Code being the most popular and my personal favorite) as well as his other stand-alones. They are definitely thrilling and suspenseful, but after a while you start to see a formula in this type of writing and it gets less exciting. I tend to shy away from political thrillers but enjoy a good searching for the magical special item type of book.
Lynn:
I agree with Julie on the Dan Brown books. I have also enjoyed books by Stieg Larson, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and Michael Crichton. Though, I think my favorite author in this genre is Ken Follett.
I like thrillers for the adventure, the suspense. The heart rate rises. I’m turning the pages as fast as possible, hoping that the hero (or heroine!) survives. And that the bad guys (or girls) get justice.
I can understand Julie’s issues with the rote plot lines. Though, I see the same problem with most genres. I think this is why I tend to switch genres a lot while reading. Low boredom threshold. But personally, I’m all for thrillers.
I don’t mind reading the occasional thriller or mystery and it’s not the rote plot lines that get to me it is the poorly crafted reveal. And personally for me, that can kill the whole book.
Oh yea definitely, the reveal needs to be done well also. I just don’t like the reporter-y sounding tone of so many of them too.
Thrillers aren’t my genre at all – I just can’t get into them (especially political thrillers – politics bore me anyway!). But my husband enjoys listening to thrillers on audiobook – so I’m glad they exist for him!
Oh I’m so with you on the political thrillers!!
I enjoy thrillers of all kinds but don’t read as many as I once did. I, too, liked Dan Brown’s books. Also Kathleen McGowan. JA Huss’ books always have a thriller element which makes them that much more appealing to me. 🙂
I haven’t read Kathleen McGowan or JA Huss, but having a thriller element to a book in another genre is interesting to me 🙂
I’ve not read much Dan Brown, only Angels and Demons, which I thought was okay, but didn’t love. One that I listened to, because of the narrator is one that I loved, Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta narrated by Robert Petkoff. I loved this book. I also really enjoyed the Stieg Larson books. I usually read books with paranormal books with suspense in them.
Thanks, Melanie. We will have to check Those Who Wish Me Dead out!
I enjoy more of the cozy mystery or historical based mysteries. The more intense thrillers and suspense don’t tend to appeal to me as much as a good puzzle where I don’t have to worry about nightmares or anything too close to reality to heighten my own anxieties. I prefer to read for pleasure and escape. A good mystery without the scare factor works the brain a bit too in my case and makes a perfect read. To each their own however. That’s why genres and styles exist in fiction.
I agree with you, Melissa. That’s why different genres exist.
You took the words right out of my mouth, Melissa! Definitely prefer a good cozy or historical mystery to a thriller! I think the closest I’ve gotten to thrillers that I loved would be Debbie Viguie’s Psalm 23 mysteries, and I’m not even sure those are quite thrillers. Guess I’m a wimp! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week! It’s a pleasure having you!
Tina