Tell us what you think makes a good thriller - to win a copy of crime novel The Darkness Within plus £100 voucher. Now closed!

232 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 12/07/2017 12:30

From global bestseller Cathy Glass comes gripping new crime novel The Darkness Within, written under the name of Lisa Stone.

When critically ill Jacob Wilson is given a life-saving heart transplant, his parents are relieved that their darling son has been saved.

However, before long, his family are forced to accept that something has changed in Jacob. Their once loving son is slowly being replaced by a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified – but is it their fault?

Jacob's girlfriend, Rosie, is convinced the man she loves is suffering from stress. But when his moods turn on her, she begins to doubt herself – and she can only hide the bruises for so long.

When a terrible crime is committed, Jacob's family are forced to confront their darkest fears. Has the boy they raised become a monster, or is someone else to blame? You know your son better than anyone... don't you?

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of The Darkness Within plus a £100 Love2Shop voucher, just tell us: what makes a good thriller? Give examples of your favourites if you like!

This discussion is sponsored by Avon and closes at midday Wednesday 9 August

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Tell us what you think makes a good thriller - to win a copy of crime novel The Darkness Within plus £100 voucher. Now closed!

OP posts:

theresamustgo · 13/07/2017 22:34

Lots of local detail,and deep historical research so it seems so very plausible and close

Pillowaddict · 13/07/2017 22:29

A growing sense of dread with subtle hints peppered throughout a story, that makes the feeling in your stomach churn and turn to stone as you realise the horrible nature of the story take form

ButterflyOfFreedom · 13/07/2017 21:53

Definitely a page turner, lots of twists, completely unpredictable, big shock ending!!!

One book that sticks in my mind is We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver.
I guess it's a drama / thriller. It certainly stayed with me for a while anyway!!

64PooLane · 13/07/2017 21:10

Characterisation and decent dialogue are pretty essential for me to stay engaged. And like a pp, I enjoy it when there's an "ordinary" protagonist drawn into a situation in a way that really does let me suspend disbelief.

Babycarmen · 13/07/2017 20:25

There's got to be a good plot twist near the end so you don't know what's going to happen. Predictable books are the worst. I love a good page-turner.

ClashCityRocker · 13/07/2017 19:58

I like an unreliable narrator or narrators. I thought gone girl did this well.

Pacing is also important. I like a sense of escalation. Each event needs to be intriguing enough to make me want to read on but not so ridiculous that even with willing suspension of disbelief it is implausible....i also want enough time to get to know the character rather than just seeing them being hurled from one situation the next.

Most of all I like ordinary people in extraordinary situations. It's tiresome when one of the protagonists is an expert in absolutely everything, can talk their way out of everything, speaks thirty different languages fluently, is adept at hacking computers and coincidentally has the exact skills necessary to get out of any given situation - skills that no normal person would realistically possess. This is a big problem I had with the eg girl with the dragon tattoo.

foxessocks · 13/07/2017 19:57

Plot twists! I love Jodi Picoult but not sure she counts as in the thriller genre.

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