Are you fond of reading suspense novels? Do you love to be thrilled and on the edge of your seat while reading? Do you get excited to solve the mystery in the story? If your answer is ‘yes’ to all of these questions, then you must be a fan of either mysteries or psychological thrillers, or maybe even both. From gripping plotlines to complex character development, both mysteries and psychological thrillers have so much to offer. I personally can’t choose between the two, I like both!
But what sets them apart?
Let’s take a minute to discuss the thrilling similarities and differences between mysteries and psychological thrillers.
Let’s start with the similarities. Both genres share a common theme, and that is mystery. They both make us curious to know more. Mysteries often center around gathering clues and evidence to solve a crime or finding out the truth behind a person’s disappearance. Think The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.
Whereas psychological thrillers focus on the intense mental and emotional states of the characters themselves. In these stories, the protagonist is usually dealing with some sort of internal struggle that is revealed throughout the story. Think The Silence of the Lambs, by Thomas Harris
Both genres have a sense of intrigue and suspense that keeps the reader turning pages.
Where they can differ greatly, is the genre’s tone. The tone of a book can greatly affect the readers’ emotions and their overall reading experience. Mysteries often have a more serious tone, with a focus on logic and critical thinking. The plot revolves around solving a crime, so the tone is often more somber and logical.
In contrast, psychological thrillers have a more ominous and creepy tone, with an emphasis on creating an atmosphere of paranoia to keep the reader on edge. The goal is to make the reader tense and uncertain, which contributes to the psychological aspect of the book.
The characters also differ a little in each genre. Both are essential to the story, but mysteries tend to have a large cast of characters, including law enforcement officials and suspects involved in the crime.
Psychologically thrillers, on the other hand, tend to have a smaller cast of characters and emphasize the main character’s character development, and how their actions heavily influence the plot. These characters often have a complicated backstory that is slowly revealed throughout the book.
The writing style is also different. Mysteries often have a more straightforward style, with a focus on details and observations. The goal is to make the reader feel like they have all the information needed to solve the mystery. Think The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
In comparison, psychological thrillers are craftier with their storytelling style, often using unreliable narrators or nonlinear storylines. The author aims to keep the reader guessing and to create a sense of unease throughout the book. Think The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins or Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Both mysteries and psychological thrillers provide us with a sense of excitement and thrill while reading. They both have an element of mystery and suspense, but the approach and tone differ significantly. So, the next time you pick up a book, observe if it’s more on the mystery side or a psychological thriller. Either way, both genres are worth exploring for any book lovers, readers, or writers that love suspense.
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Until next time, stay brash, stay bookish and stay true to you!
