Fiction crime novels also create suspense through character development. If the main character is in danger, and we've come to care about them through the development of their personality and backstory, we'll be more on edge. Take 'The Silence of the Lambs' for instance. Clarice Starling is a well - developed character, and as she gets closer to the serial killer, the suspense builds.
Another way is by using false leads. The author might introduce a character or a piece of evidence that seems to point to one conclusion, but then later it turns out to be a red herring. This keeps the reader constantly re - evaluating their assumptions and adds to the overall suspense in the story.
By creating a sense of danger for the abductee. If the abductee is in a strange or life - threatening situation, like in 'The Host', it builds suspense. The reader wonders if they will escape or what will happen to them. In these novels, the authors also use pacing. Slow - paced scenes that build up to the abduction and then fast - paced scenes during the captivity or attempts to escape all contribute to the overall suspense.
Often, murder novels create suspense through withholding key information. For example, they might not reveal the identity of the killer right away.
Often by keeping the identity of the thief hidden. The reader is left guessing who could be behind the art theft. Also, by creating a complex web of motives. Maybe it's for money, revenge or just the love of the art piece itself.
Crime novelists in fiction create suspense in multiple ways. One important method is by setting up a sense of danger. They put their protagonists in perilous situations, like a detective being chased by an unknown assailant in a dark alley. This immediately grabs the reader's attention. Also, they use red herrings. These are false clues that mislead the reader. In a typical crime novel, a suspect may be presented as very likely to be the criminal, but later it turns out they are just a distraction. They also play with the element of time, like setting a deadline for the crime to be solved or for a character to be saved.
Treasure hunt fiction novels usually create suspense in multiple ways. Firstly, they set a time limit or a race against other parties. This is seen in 'National Treasure' where the main characters have to find the treasure before the bad guys do. Secondly, the clues are often cryptic. In 'The Lost Symbol', the symbols need to be decoded accurately. Also, the settings play a role. If it's a dark, unknown place like in 'Treasure Island', it adds to the suspense.
They often use medical jargon and procedures. For instance, when a detective or a character is trying to figure out a strange illness or a cause of death, the complex medical terms and procedures add mystery. Just like in 'Coma', the way the patients are put into comas through some unknown medical means keeps the readers in suspense.
Survival stories fiction often create suspense through the constant threat of danger. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', the main character Katniss is always in danger of being killed by other tributes or the traps set in the arena. This keeps the reader on edge, wondering if she will survive.
Abduction fiction stories create suspense in multiple ways. First, by setting an ordinary scene at the beginning and then shattering it with the abduction event. This contrast catches the reader off - guard. Second, the lack of information about the abductee's fate keeps the reader on edge. Is the character alive? Are they being tortured? Moreover, the introduction of strange or otherworldly elements in the abduction, such as in some stories where the abductors have superhuman abilities, heightens the sense of mystery and suspense. The reader is constantly trying to figure out what these elements mean and how they will affect the story.
They often create suspense by withholding key information about the character's past. In 'Before I Go to Sleep', the main character's amnesia means she doesn't know who she can trust. As she tries to piece together her past through her journal, the author drops hints and red herrings. Every new discovery or false lead builds suspense. Also, the fear of the unknown in the character's past due to amnesia is a big factor in creating suspense. If the character has done something bad in the past that they can't remember, that's a great source of suspense.
They create suspense by introducing complex characters. Each character has their own motives and secrets. In 'The Thomas Crown Affair', Crown's mysterious nature and his reasons for the heists add to the suspense. Also, unexpected twists in the plot are common. In many heist novels, just when it seems like the heist is going smoothly, something goes wrong, like in 'Ocean's Eleven' when unforeseen obstacles pop up.