How do horror thriller novels create suspense?

Horror thriller stories create suspense by playing with the reader's or viewer's expectations. In 'It', the shape - shifting nature of the monster means you never really know what form it will take next. This uncertainty is what creates suspense. Also, the pacing of the story is important. A slow build - up, like in 'The Birds', where at first it's just a few strange bird behaviors and then it escalates into a full - blown attack, keeps the audience in a state of anticipation. And the use of unreliable narrators, like in some horror thrillers, can also add to the mystery and suspense.

Suspense is a big part. Writers build up tension by slowly revealing information. Take 'Jaws' for instance. The shark is not shown fully for a long time. The characters are in danger, but we don't know when it will strike next. This keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and that anticipation turns into fear. Also, they play on our primal fears like the fear of the dark, death, or being alone. In a lot of haunted house stories, the isolation of the characters in a dark, spooky place amps up the fear factor.

They often use unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's alcohol - addled memories make you question what's real. This creates doubt and suspense.

Medical thriller novels often create suspense through the use of medical jargon and procedures that are not well - known to the general public. For example, in 'Coma', the idea of anesthesia awareness and the misuse of medical equipment in a hospital setting are both sources of suspense.

They often use real historical events or settings as a backdrop. For example, if a novel is set during a war, the chaos and danger of the war situation create an immediate sense of suspense. Writers also introduce mystery elements like hidden secrets or unsolved crimes from the past. These secrets can be related to historical figures or artifacts. The characters are often in a race against time to uncover the truth, which adds to the suspense.

They often use unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are distorted, making the reader question what's real. This creates a lot of tension as the truth is hard to figure out.

They often use red herrings. For example, in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', there are many characters who seem suspicious at first but turn out to be innocent. This misleads the reader and creates suspense. Also, withholding key information until the right moment. Like in 'Gone Girl', the truth about the main characters' relationship is gradually revealed, keeping the reader in suspense.

Modern psychological thriller novels create suspense in several ways. For one, they often use unreliable narrators. This makes the readers question what they're being told, like in 'The Girl on the Train'. The narrator's memory and perception are faulty, so you're constantly trying to figure out what's real. Another way is through slow - burning plots that gradually reveal secrets and mysteries. In 'Gone Girl', the secrets about the couple's relationship are slowly peeled back, keeping you hooked.

Well, the setting can play a big role. If it's a dark, isolated place like in 'The Silence of the Lambs' with the prison cell scenes. The unknown is also a factor. The more the reader doesn't know what will happen next, the more tense they feel. And the use of foreshadowing, like in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' where little hints are dropped early on about the big revelations later.

They often use cliffhangers at the end of chapters or scenes. For example, in 'Danganronpa', each class trial ends with a major revelation or a new mystery, leaving you eager to find out more.