In literature, suspense is amongst the various literary devices that is defined as an extreme emotion in which a reader feels while looking forward for the results of particular events. The tension, pressure, and agitation that it arouses from the readers is the primary reason why readers are hooked to books of this type. It is one of the best ingredient an author can mix to a story to make the minds of the audience blown away.
As books of different genres and authors with new writing styles are on the rise, novels containing the element of suspense are still living their glory days. These books keep reigning on the market and remain hooking readers of all ages. Examples of best-selling suspense thriller novels are James Patterson’s Blindside, John Grisham’s The Guardians, Stephen King’s The Outsider, and J.D. Robb’s Golden in Death. If you are a fan of suspense book authors and want to know why their novels are still a hit, this article is perfect for you! Written below are the reasons why suspense thriller novels never go out of style.
They build strong emotions
The main function of suspense is to create tension to readers. In every suspense book, the elements always strive to form extreme emotions with only the use of words. Examples of these strong and unfamiliar emotions are fear, rage, thrill, and agitation. The pressure is shaped up by the characters because they are the ones who move the story forward. Suspense is typically inserted in some parts of the plot, such as the conflict, rising action, and climax.
They create a new type of excitement
Most books are injected with the element of surprise to stimulate excitement from the readers. For book lovers, this emotion is not new because they always encounter it in every novel of different genre. Suspense books, however, delivers a new kind of excitement. The one that readers will be left on the edge of their seats and blow their minds. The thrill, twists, and turns that it gives is different. It is not the same as meeting a significant other, falling in love, or moving from one place to another, which numerous stories contain. It is more about hanging on the verge of death, fighting to survive, and discovering a murder. It is a new and intense form of excitement.
They contain unpredictable plots
The beauty of suspense is not only found in its characters but also in its plot. The plot structure of some stories are unique and untraditional, they do not go with the normal structure that are composed of the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. There are just too much wonderful components it contains that make this genre prominent, such as foreshadowing, flashback, and cliffhanger. Thus, the author has the freedom to modify the plot. The story can begin in medias res and end with a cliffhanger or in the conventional way. What is important is that the story must be successfully told in the most suspenseful way possible in order to not break the connection with the book and the readers.
They give readers something new to look forward
Suspense makes the readers thirsty — thirsty for information and answers. The foreshadowing and hints scattered all around the story are the primary agent that drives suspense thriller book fans anticipate. Suspense thriller books are rich with circumstances where characters are in jeopardy, someone is being killed, mystery is present, and answers are being hunted. Thus, making the readers more curious and intrigue with the story. As a result, the audience will strive to look for answers and solve the mystery. It gives them a brand new reason to continue picking up and reading a book.
They show versatility
Not all stories are versatile. Some follows a straight line and a direct path. But for suspense thriller tales, it can take as much path as possible. The importance of going multiple ways is that the author can create more mysteries and hide all hints in different places. Stories in this genre are not only found on books but also on short stories and flash fiction. Hence, it is multifaceted and can take any form. In contrast to novels of other genre, stories with the element of suspense gives readers a fresher view on literature.
Suspense is truly a great element a story could ever contain. It is the sole reason why literary enthusiast continue to delve into this genre and read suspense thriller books. This genre consistently paves its way to the top of the list of every general fiction bestselling books. That said, regardless if it is the past, present, or future, suspense thriller books are and will always be in the trend.

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