Well, first, they use the power of the unknown. They introduce elements that are not fully explained right away. For instance, in many crime novels, there's an anonymous note or a strange symbol that the characters and the reader have to figure out. Second, they build tension through dialogue. A tense conversation between a suspect and a detective can create a lot of suspense. Take the works of Raymond Chandler. His exchanges between Marlowe and the various shady characters are full of innuendo and underlying threats. Additionally, they create suspense by showing the consequences of the crime. If a murder has been committed, they might describe the grief of the victim's family, which adds an emotional weight and makes the reader more eager to see justice done.
Crime novelists in fiction create suspense in multiple ways. One important method is by setting up a sense of danger. They put their protagonists in perilous situations, like a detective being chased by an unknown assailant in a dark alley. This immediately grabs the reader's attention. Also, they use red herrings. These are false clues that mislead the reader. In a typical crime novel, a suspect may be presented as very likely to be the criminal, but later it turns out they are just a distraction. They also play with the element of time, like setting a deadline for the crime to be solved or for a character to be saved.
Fiction crime novels also create suspense through character development. If the main character is in danger, and we've come to care about them through the development of their personality and backstory, we'll be more on edge. Take 'The Silence of the Lambs' for instance. Clarice Starling is a well - developed character, and as she gets closer to the serial killer, the suspense builds.
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.
Often by keeping the identity of the thief hidden. The reader is left guessing who could be behind the art theft. Also, by creating a complex web of motives. Maybe it's for money, revenge or just the love of the art piece itself.
To create suspense, you can withhold important information from the reader. Let them piece things together slowly. Also, build up tension by having the criminal seem always one step ahead of the detective for a while.
In 'monster crime novel', the very presence of a monster creates horror. For example, a werewolf or a vampire. These are creatures that go against the normal laws of nature. The unknown nature of the monster's abilities and motives keeps readers in suspense. We don't know when it will strike or how to stop it. And the crimes they commit are often brutal and unpredictable, adding to the horror and suspense.
The ticking clock is a common device. In many kidnapping fiction stories, there's a time limit to find the kidnapped person alive. This adds urgency and suspense. Like in 'Taken' (if we consider it in a fictional written story sense), the hero has to rescue his daughter within a short time frame. Also, the withholding of information about the kidnapper's motives and identity can be very suspenseful. We might not know if it's a random act or part of a bigger, more sinister plan.
A crime short story can create suspense in several ways. Firstly, by introducing an unreliable narrator. The reader is constantly doubting what they are being told, which adds to the tension. Secondly, the use of foreshadowing. Hinting at future events without giving away too much makes the reader eager to find out what will happen. And thirdly, having multiple suspects with equally valid motives keeps the reader guessing about who the real criminal is. For instance, if all the suspects seem to have a good reason for wanting the victim dead, the reader will be on the edge of their seat trying to figure it out.
One way is through the use of setting. For example, describe a dark, abandoned alley where the crime took place. The overgrown weeds, the broken streetlights, and the damp walls can all add to the sense of unease. Another way is to delay the revelation of key information. Don't immediately show who the culprit is. Let the reader wonder as the detective follows different leads. For instance, introduce several suspects with their own motives and alibis, making the reader guess which one is the real criminal.
By creating a sense of danger for the abductee. If the abductee is in a strange or life - threatening situation, like in 'The Host', it builds suspense. The reader wonders if they will escape or what will happen to them. In these novels, the authors also use pacing. Slow - paced scenes that build up to the abduction and then fast - paced scenes during the captivity or attempts to escape all contribute to the overall suspense.
Survival stories fiction often create suspense through the constant threat of danger. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', the main character Katniss is always in danger of being killed by other tributes or the traps set in the arena. This keeps the reader on edge, wondering if she will survive.