I have a nitpick of sorts. If you've regularly listen to the Buddy Reads series on the podcast, I'm sure you've heard me complaining to my co-host Classy about this subject once in a while. Since I've been increasing the amount of thrillers and mysteries that I've been reading, I've noticed a lot of mislabeling of the genre on these two types of books. Thrillers and Mysteries. From both readers and publishers. I thought it'd be fun to start a conversation about it.
Thriller and mystery are of course high level genres, there are many sub-genres in both categories. For example Psychological Thriller or Cozy Mystery. There are lots more, so when considering Thriller vs Mystery in this post, I'm just looking at the broad, high level classification.
I'll share some definitions I've found then let's chat. Why do these genres to get so interchangeably used? Can a book be both a thriller and mystery at the same time?
Thriller and mystery are of course high level genres, there are many sub-genres in both categories. For example Psychological Thriller or Cozy Mystery. There are lots more, so when considering Thriller vs Mystery in this post, I'm just looking at the broad, high level classification.
I'll share some definitions I've found then let's chat. Why do these genres to get so interchangeably used? Can a book be both a thriller and mystery at the same time?
What makes a story a thriller?
A thriller is a fast-paced novel full of conflict, tension, suspense, unexpected twists, and high stakes. Every single scene and element in a thriller is meant to propel the action forward, test the characters, and take the readers on a roller coaster ride that will leave them on the edge of their seats.
Source: https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-thriller/
A thriller is a fast-paced novel full of conflict, tension, suspense, unexpected twists, and high stakes. Every single scene and element in a thriller is meant to propel the action forward, test the characters, and take the readers on a roller coaster ride that will leave them on the edge of their seats.
Source: https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-thriller/
What makes a story a mystery?
The mystery genre is a genre of fiction that follows a crime (like a murder or a disappearance) from the moment it is committed to the moment it is solved. Mystery novels are often called “whodunnits” because they turn the reader into a detective trying to figure out the who, what, when, and how of a particular crime.
Source: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-mystery-genre
The mystery genre is a genre of fiction that follows a crime (like a murder or a disappearance) from the moment it is committed to the moment it is solved. Mystery novels are often called “whodunnits” because they turn the reader into a detective trying to figure out the who, what, when, and how of a particular crime.
Source: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-mystery-genre
Let's throw in one more kink into this! Let's define the suspense genre, just because this is also used interchangeably with thriller and mystery.
What is the difference between mystery, suspense, and thriller?
Source: https://diymfa.com/reading/mystery-thriller-suspense-label-matter
Source: https://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-your-novel-mystery-thriller-or-suspense
What is the difference between mystery, suspense, and thriller?
- Mystery is about the puzzle. Thriller is the push and pull between the protagonist and the villain. Suspense is about tension and what may happen. It can be present in any genre.
Source: https://diymfa.com/reading/mystery-thriller-suspense-label-matter
- Thriller: the protagonist is in danger from the outset. suspense: the main character may become aware of danger only gradually. In a mystery, the reader is exposed to the same information as the detective, but in a suspense story, the reader is aware of things unknown to the protagonist.
Source: https://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-your-novel-mystery-thriller-or-suspense
Now that you have the information, what do you think? Do you disagree with the perimeters for each? Have you confused these genres in the past? Does it even matter at all if the genres aren't clear or misrepresented?
Let's discuss in the comments below.
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