Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

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

Books T&Cs apply

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:
Stephgr8 · 23/07/2017 04:35

a page-turning pace - I want a book which is unputdownable,
a gripping first chapter,
clues,
spectacular twists,
a sense of closure at the end

FireflyGirl · 23/07/2017 00:23

I love a book that makes my stomach churn and I'm thinking 'just one more chapter' until I finish it.

I want characters you can relate to and care about, and not the same old storyline rehashed yet again!

pfcpompeysarah · 22/07/2017 21:37

Good believable characters, well written dialogue, and plot twists and turns ... ultimately there has to be a situation or people I can relate to in order to feel invested in the story, nothing turns me off a story more than thinking that I hate the main character and couldn't care less what happens to them.

Annamaria0 · 22/07/2017 21:34

Compelling but believable female characters, which is why I enjoy Laura Lippmann's books. Her PI Tess Monaghan is pretty smart and "normal" - she is not a tortured alcoholic or similar, like so many detectives.

Spices001 · 22/07/2017 21:33

Unpredictability & twists, I love a thriller that makes me think

georgedawes · 22/07/2017 21:22

A twist that you don't see coming (very rare!)

omgitslani · 22/07/2017 21:15

Plenty of suspense and a plot twist or three along the way

emmmaaa26 · 22/07/2017 21:08

Suspense, plot twists, character development throughout.

Hopezibah · 22/07/2017 20:35

A double twist makes a good thriller into a great one - just when you think you've figured it all out, there's a second twist to the plot right before the end.

I don't like thrillers to be too gory and gross - it's more about the mystery and figuring things out that i like.

I love real life places being used as the setting - towns and cities that I'm familiar with.

helly27 · 22/07/2017 20:31

When they get a twist in that you didn't see coming

Narnianescape · 22/07/2017 20:22

Has to be a good plot twist

pennwood · 22/07/2017 20:17

I like lots of twists & turns that make me unable to put the book down. It must not be predictable, & it needs to be fresh, also innovative. It must be realistic, & well researched so everything is correct so I don't keep thinking , - that wouldn't happen, or that's not a true to life situation, etc. I must have a good ending as I hate those novels that leave the reader up in the air trying to decide their own conclusion.

Funkyferret · 22/07/2017 20:13

I love a believable scenario, one that makes you think anyone could find themselves in those circumstances. A plot that makes you try to work out what the reality is, not one that you see it all in a couple of chapters. And engaging characters, whether likeable or not.

MiserableMe1 · 22/07/2017 19:53

It has to have a great story on that has you gripped from this ,beginning, it needs of have loads of twist and turns to keep you guessing & in the end has to have a awesome conclusion, to make you want to watch or read it again, to see where if you missed the clues along the way

madge47 · 22/07/2017 19:31

when you are unable to guess the twist x

karen148 · 22/07/2017 19:24

A good thriller has to have characters that you're interested in, a believable plot ( but with enough unexpected twists to keep you guessing) and a story that you can actually follow. Sometimes thrillers can be so complicated that you literally lose the plot !

Rae1000 · 22/07/2017 18:43

Twists to make it a complete page turner. I personally love thrillers of this sort. I just have to keep on reading them. Also relatable characters too I think are important.

alabaster002 · 22/07/2017 18:33

Changes of pace, unexpected twists, no exclamation marks.....

emmamcmahon · 22/07/2017 18:29

An outcome you didn't see coming, but if you read the book again you see all the signs! Also, a chapter ending on a cliffhanger so you can't help but go onto the next one

happysouls · 22/07/2017 18:28

Twists and turns and something a bit different, but not overdoing it! If there are so many twists and turns it loses being believable then it ruins a good story!

feefeegabor · 22/07/2017 18:02

I read a lot of thrillers, particularly Agatha Christie, and I love it when the story keeps you guessing until the very end.

cocochips · 22/07/2017 17:34

A good plot that keeps you guessing

7flipper7 · 22/07/2017 17:26

I am not a scifi buff so for me a thriller is something I feel could happen in real life. They need realistic characters that are not super human with fast paced action making every minute or hour feel like real time. I love trying to work out who the baddy is so lots of twists and turns with the plot gradually unfolding really works for me.

gd2011 · 22/07/2017 17:19

Strong characters, a decent plot and some good twists.

Marg2k8 · 22/07/2017 17:19

When you can't put it down after the first page, you know it is going to be good.

Swipe left for the next trending thread