I've been reading a lot of thrillers lately - and it's one of my favorite/primary reading genres, as you know. I've noticed some things about their authors. If you also enjoy reading thrillers, let me know if you agree with my assessments.
First of all, I need to make one distinction. Christian authors of thrillers do present a succinct difference in their work. Not in the mechanics but in the plot point. There is a faith factor, not always detailed but definitely a point at some juncture in the story. It's what separates their novels from the general market thrillers.
I'll begin with the best Christian thriller writer I've had the utter pleasure of personally meeting: Robert Liparulo. Robert has an uncanny knack for making the reader hold his breath or take a breath because the pace is breakneck at times. Racing through dangerous circumstances in some of his older books, it is indeed a thrill ride to read his stories.
Okay, let's move on to the general market thriller writers. Here's what I've deduced:
Type One: Timing is everything. Some authors want to assault you with a jolt immediately in Chapter One or in a Prologue. And it's no simple bump - it's a life-or-death situation, and the hero or multiple characters are hard-pressed to escape it with their lives. Once that's resolved, there's a chapter or two to get comfortable or let down before the next assignment appears with another deadly situation to be faced. While preparing for that, there's a sub-story or a backstory presenting an emotional attachment or reaction to be addressed and hopefully resolved before the expected crisis takes the hero away again. This is one formula I've noticed. Definitely varies from book to book in a series, but this has been a pattern for some thriller authors. The pacing rushes and slows, builds again and then races to either one or many highly contested and dangerous trials before the mostly satisfying conclusion.
We'll address Type Two tomorrow.
Father, you've gifted so many with gifts and talents for all kinds of writing. Thank you for it all. May each one of the many know from whom their talent comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.