Uncertainty, tension, fear, surprises at every turn of the page ... those are the characteristic elements of the best suspense books. These are texts in which the reader feels the need to know what will happen immediately and, at the same time, the fear of discovering it. Therefore, it is a combination capable of generating a highly addictive hook, not suitable for very sensitive people.
Similarly, the popularity (and profitability) of suspense stories has been widely demonstrated since the mid-XNUMXth century thanks to its sales figures. Likewise, the works of authors such as Stephen King, Gillian Flynn and Joël Dicker - among others - have generated hundreds of millions of dollars with their film and television adaptations.
List of the best suspense books
Here's a polished list of the best thrillers:
It (1986), by Stephen King
"The master of terror" is the nickname - fully deserved, by the way - with which Stephen King it has gone down in the history of universal literature. In this sense, It (That, in Spanish) is one of the most emblematic examples of the genius of the American writer at the time of terrorizing readers.
This narrative set in Derry (a decaying town in Maine, USA) is much more than a horror tale. Well all his characters are endowed with a remarkable psychological depth and a fairly detailed context. In addition, King makes use of different literary figures - metaphors, mainly - to add more drama to the gloomy panorama described.
Argument
Is there something with the capacity to generate more fright than a murderous entity that changes appearance according to the fear of the protagonists? In this case, the monster of It is initially identified as Pennywise, the dancing clown. Although, in truth it is a spawn of a parallel reality (the Multiverse) that attacks children for a time and then hibernates for 27 years.
Structure and synopsis
Part One (set in the late 50s)
The six protagonists - who call themselves "the losers" - decide to kill the monster when they discover its macabre nature. Nevertheless, It he is quite adept at manipulating people and making them kill for him. Eventually, the children manage to defeat him in the sewers after a series of rituals, but without being completely sure about the death of their enemy.
Part two (27 years later)
The worst fears of losers are confirmed when It reappears in Derry in the mid-1980s. Once again, the mortal battle is inevitable and involves some of the romantic partners of the protagonists. In the end, all the physical and psychological scars of the characters disappear along with the death of the monster.
The psychoanalyst (2002), by John Katzenbach
Analyst —Original title in English — is the most successful novel of John Katzenbach's career. Since its launch in 2002, this thriller psychological has been highly praised by literary critics due to the psychological plausibility of its characters. Therefore, it is quite intricate and addictive for readers.
Argument
The protagonist - the PhD in psychology Frederick "Ricky" Starks - is tormented incessantly by a stranger. To the point that the situation pushes the will of this American doctor to stay sane and prevent his suicide. And worst of all, it's a spooky nightmare planned by someone you trust ...
Structure and synopsis
The book is divided into three parts, each of which anticipates its content in a certain way with the subtitle. In the first section, A threatening letter, the doctor is blackmailed by a hidden character who calls himself Rumplestiltskin. At the end of this third, Ricky feigns his death because he cannot identify his stalker and to protect his loved ones.
Then in The man who never existed, Dr. Starks disappears all trace of his previous life and remains in the shadows until discovering the identity of the psychopath. In the denouement -Even poets love death-, Ricky becomes a man as implacable and calculating as his enemy. Only then does he manage to kill him and rebuild his life.
The ice princess (2002), by Camilla Läckberg
This work by the Swedish author Camilla Läckberg has been very well received by literary critics and by readers from different parts of the world. The main character of this novel is Erica Falck, a writer who interferes in the investigation of the death of her friend, Alexandra Carlgren. In principle, the cause of death is stipulated as suicide ... but Erica suspects something else.
On the other hand, Patrik Hedström, curator of Fjällbacka (the Swedish coastal town where the story takes place), also has his suspicions. As Falck and Hedström gather clues, they uncover poignant secrets about the Carlgren family. and Erica herself. In the end, the identity and motivations of the killer are totally surprising.
The truth about the Harry Quebert case (2012), by Joël Dicker
Le Vérité sur l'Affaire Harry Quebert —Original title in French — is the book that catapulted the career of Swiss author Jöel Dicker. It presents an extremely dynamic and entertaining developmentstarring Marcus Goldman, a writer with "the blank page disease." Because of this condition, the main character seeks the advice of his mentor, Harry Quebert.
Argument
Shortly after Goldman's visit, Quebert is charged with murder when Nola Kellergan's body is discovered on the edge of his property. She was a woman with whom Harry had an affair three decades ago (by then he was 34 and she was 15). Likewise, the old writer is charged with the death of Deborah Cooper, which occurred on the same night as Nola's disappearance.
Despite the evidence, Goldman sets out to prove his master's innocence, because "he couldn't have killed someone he loved." For these reasons, Marcus carefully collects all the evidence in the middle of a rarefied environment, where nothing is what it seems.
Gone girl (2012), by Gillian Flynn
Stephen King praised Flynn's talent for perplexing readers with his storytelling. Gone Girl (original title in English). As if that were not enough, the successful film adaptation - directed by David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike - increased public interest in this title.
Argument
The novel centers on Nick Dunne, the main suspect for the police in the disappearance (and alleged murder) of his wife, Amy.. One of the first clues found by the police is a diary of her. There, "the amazing Amy" wrote down all the incidents of her life as a couple, initially happy and then turned into disappointment, dishonesty and infidelity.
By the way, the other evidence (blood, footprints, credit cards ...) clearly blame the husband. Only the suspect's sister remains on his side while public opinion and the media sentence him in advance for Amy's death. Paradoxically, Nick's last hope seems to be a detective who doesn't completely believe such easily obtained clues.
The Psychoanalyst is a good book, although its development is somewhat slow and the plot becomes a bit predictable as you go.
-Gustavo Woltmann.