Well, it's the combination of elements. First, the sense of danger. In 'Silence of the Lambs', Clarice Starling is in constant danger while dealing with Hannibal Lecter. Second, the intrigue. In 'Rebecca', the mystery around the first wife keeps the reader guessing. Third, the exploration of the human psyche. In 'The Shining', Jack Torrance's descent into madness is both fascinating and terrifying. These elements work together to make these novels appealing.
Famous mystery thriller novels are appealing because they often deal with moral and ethical dilemmas. In 'And Then There Were None', the idea of justice and who really deserves punishment is explored. They also create a sense of a world within a world. For instance, in 'The Maltese Falcon', the seedy underworld of detective work and crime is exposed. Moreover, the pacing is usually fast - paced, like in 'In Cold Blood', which keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
The suspense. Readers are constantly on the edge of their seats, not knowing what will happen next. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the twists keep coming and you can't predict the outcome. Also, the complex characters. In 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', Lisbeth Salander is a multi - faceted character with a troubled past. And the mystery itself, like in 'The Da Vinci Code' where there are ancient secrets to be unraveled.
Thriller travel mystery novels are appealing because they combine two very engaging elements. The travel aspect allows for a change of scenery, which can be very refreshing. You might be in a small town in Italy in one chapter and on a ship in the middle of the ocean in the next. The mystery part hooks you in. You're constantly trying to solve the puzzle, figure out who the bad guy is or what really happened. In 'The Da Vinci Code', the mystery surrounding the religious symbols and the art makes it hard to put the book down. And the thriller part adds the adrenaline rush, like the chase scenes in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.
The visual aspect. Graphic novels use pictures to tell the story. In thriller mystery ones, the art can create a spooky or tense atmosphere really quickly. For example, a shadowy alley drawn in a certain way can make you feel the danger.
The mystery aspect is a big draw. People like to try and figure out the puzzles before the characters do. For example, in 'Another', you're constantly trying to piece together the mystery of the curse. Also, the psychological part adds depth. It makes the characters more relatable as we see their fears and motives.
The isolation. In the woods, characters are cut off from the normal world. It creates a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. For example, in 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon', the girl is alone in the vast woods with no immediate help available. This amps up the tension.
The combination of mystery and travel is appealing. It allows readers to explore new places while also getting caught up in a suspenseful plot. For example, in 'The Shining Girls' by Lauren Beukes, the time - traveling aspect combined with the mystery of the killer makes the different locations in Chicago and other places more interesting.
As mentioned before, Arthur Conan Doyle is a very famous one. His Sherlock Holmes stories have been adapted countless times in different forms, like movies and TV shows.
Well - developed characters play a big role. Take 'Sherlock Holmes' for example. Holmes is such an iconic character with his sharp intellect and unique personality. His deductive reasoning skills make the story engaging. Also, the complex plots in these novels, full of red herrings and unexpected twists, like in 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, are very appealing. It challenges the readers to piece together the clues along with the detective.
Stephen King is extremely famous. He has written many such novels like 'It' which has a mystery around the shape - shifting Pennywise and is full of horror and thriller elements as the kids face their fears. Another is Edgar Allan Poe. His works like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are short but pack a punch with mystery, horror and a sense of the thriller in the narrator's madness.
Agatha Christie is a very famous author. She wrote many classic mystery novels like 'And Then There Were None'. Her works often feature clever plots and unexpected twists.
Stephen King also dabbles in thriller mystery. His works, such as 'Misery', are full of psychological thrills and mystery elements that keep readers on the edge of their seats.