tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post5485879030238548558..comments2023-11-22T06:35:25.251-05:00Comments on POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS: Suspense: publishing's most misused labelJulia Buckleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270211923343731659noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-24610235976569315372013-11-16T07:34:17.926-05:002013-11-16T07:34:17.926-05:00Thanks for the reminder of what's so important...Thanks for the reminder of what's so important in the murdery mystery - that element of suspense. We want to be surprised, not necessarily shelled by shock after shock. <br /><br />Keeping up that sense of anticipation is tricky and I think it's too easy to fall into the trap of replacing that with bullets and bludgeons. Clamo88https://www.blogger.com/profile/16742188896080634218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-31527228160638148072013-11-14T10:05:06.165-05:002013-11-14T10:05:06.165-05:00Sheila,
The ultimate mystery/suspense/thriller is ...Sheila,<br />The ultimate mystery/suspense/thriller is Hamlet--plenty of all three, and yes, most people die at the end. Another is Cavellieri Rusticana, the opera.<br />One of my sisters-in-law often asks how many people have I killed today. I think bodies and blowing up things and violence in general are a bit like including sex scenes--it's another Goldilocks conundrum, because the rightSteven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-3401560211664374092013-11-13T14:10:39.664-05:002013-11-13T14:10:39.664-05:00I'm still a bit blurry on the concept of suspe...I'm still a bit blurry on the concept of suspense vs. thriller, but the first thing I think of is a hidden menace, something to flee from while still trying to stop it permanently. (If anybody's counting, I think more things blow up and more blood is spilt in thrillers, but don't quote me.)<br /><br />Love Mystic River. Particularly love it within the arc of Lehane's writing--he Sheila Connollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165644581595919711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-23441015984473097202013-11-13T10:13:06.301-05:002013-11-13T10:13:06.301-05:00Steve, I agree completely that a good crime novel ...Steve, I agree completely that a good crime novel has all the necessary elements, not just one. I think Lehane's Mystic River is a perfect example of a crime novel that has it all: deep characterization, a baffling and horrifying murder, meaningful social context, surprises, the right amount of action, wonderful writing and a constant underlying sense of dread. We know something awful is Sandra Parshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403144248962124138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-20603564142607843942013-11-13T10:08:08.509-05:002013-11-13T10:08:08.509-05:00I hate the kind of quick cuts you mentioned, Liz. ...I hate the kind of quick cuts you mentioned, Liz. I call it the James Patterson Effect, and it's disheartening how many authors are slavishly following his lead with two-page chapters and constantly shifting POV. That's not the way to build deep reader involvement with the characters and story, IMO. When I read reviews or hear comments that emphasize that the book is written that way, I Sandra Parshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403144248962124138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-77998275276229369022013-11-13T09:53:29.897-05:002013-11-13T09:53:29.897-05:00Hi Sandra,
Isn't it preferable to ignore the b...Hi Sandra,<br />Isn't it preferable to ignore the blurbs on the cover and sit back and enjoy a book for what it is? I practice that for both movies and books. For example, the movie I, Robot relates to Asimov's stories only in the title and a few characters' names. I saw the movie and enjoyed it though, for what it was. Hollywood's adaptation of famous novels always leaves Steven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-58947255451940530482013-11-13T09:45:34.934-05:002013-11-13T09:45:34.934-05:00I agree that the hallmark of suspense is that feel...I agree that the hallmark of suspense is that feeling of dread. One thing suspense is also not is frustrating the reader by, for example, cutting off the chapter just before the climactic moment or reveal and shifting to another POV. These artificial attempts to provide suspense arouse not anticipation but annoyance.Elizabeth Zelvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944424094949207841noreply@blogger.com