Secret cities in novels usually hold secrets that are important to the overall plot. In 'Neverwhere', the underground London is full of secrets that the protagonist has to discover. The fact that it's a hidden world, separate from the normal London, makes us anticipate what kind of strange and dangerous things might be lurking there. Every corner could hold a new mystery, a new threat or a new piece of the puzzle. The characters' interactions with this secret city and their attempts to navigate it while uncovering its secrets build suspense throughout the story.
The concept of a secret city in a novel creates suspense because it holds unknown elements. Readers are curious about what lies within the secret city. For example, in 'The City & The City', the two overlapping cities have hidden rules and a mystery at their core. We don't know what really goes on in the parts that are 'unseen' by the other city, and this keeps us guessing.
A malice novel creates suspense by having characters with hidden motives. For example, if a character in the novel has a malicious plan but it's not clear at first, the reader will be eager to find out what it is. This keeps them reading.
Conrad creates suspense through the secrecy of the situation. The captain's encounter with the fugitive and his decision to hide him keeps the reader on edge. We don't know if they will be caught or what will happen next.
The mystery novel's structure creates suspense by withholding information. We don't know who the culprit is from the start. Clues are given bit by bit, which keeps us guessing.
By making the reader doubt the truth of the confession from the start. If it seems too easy or too out of character for the confessor.
A 'hidden god novel' creates suspense by keeping the nature of the hidden god a mystery. For example, the reader doesn't know what the god's intentions are, what powers it truly has, or when it might reveal itself. This uncertainty makes the reader keep reading to find out more.
In a great impersonation novel, the mystery of the false identity itself creates suspense. For example, in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', the reader is constantly on edge wondering when Ripley's impersonations will be discovered. His ability to blend into different lives keeps the tension high.
In a revelation horror novel, suspense is often created by slowly uncovering the unknown. For example, the author might drop small hints about a lurking evil at the beginning. As the story progresses, more details are revealed bit by bit, like peeling off the layers of an onion. This keeps the reader on edge, constantly wondering what will be revealed next.
Containment fiction creates suspense by making the audience aware of the potential danger if the containment fails. For example, if a story is about containing a deadly virus, we know that if it gets out, it will be catastrophic. This constant threat of the 'contained' thing breaking free keeps the readers or viewers on edge.
Foreshadowing works to create suspense as it primes the reader's mind for something significant. It plants seeds of doubt and excitement, making them keep turning the pages to see if what they suspect comes true. Sometimes, it's a single line or a small detail that has a big impact later on, heightening the tension.
The story structure creates suspense by introducing elements of mystery or uncertainty early on. It keeps the reader guessing about what will happen next, and maybe builds up tension gradually through plot twists and cliffhangers.