Writing Tip Wednesday: Writing Modern Suspense

Growing up, my family liked playing board games together. One of our favorites was Clue. My dad made everyone think he had solved the crime early on in the game by saying through clenched teeth, “Just as I suspected”. It should come as no surprise that one of my dad’s favorite movies is Murder on the Orient Express. The 1974 film, adapted from Agatha Christie’s novel of the same title, is a true crime story in which detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer on the train before it’s too late.

Agatha Christie’s Influence

Suspense novels are my absolute favorite to read. Thanks to audio books, I’ve “read” eighteen modern suspense bestselling novels since September. What is now considered “modern” is really classic suspense coming back in style (like bell-bottom pants—who would have ever dreamed those would come back)!

A recent NYT Bestselling suspense author quoted Agatha Christie as one of the greatest influences in his writing, and it got me thinking about how her old-style has reemerged. The trick? Make everyone appear guilty! Give each character a motive, so the reader can’t decide which character is involved. In Murder on the Orient Express, every character had an excuse, alibi, or reason for why they could not have committed the crime, yet they all appear guilty. Keep your readers guessing until the very end. And even at the end, add yet another twist.

The Hitchcock Effect

Another old-style that’s back is the Hitchcock Effect. It’s something I also learned from watching classic movies growing up. In every one of Hitchcock’s films, he makes a cameo appearance. His cameo was typically a quick view of his profile or even his back, so you had to be watching closely to see him flash across the big screen. It was fun to watch with my dad, who got so excited whenever he spotted Hitchcock!

The Hitchcock Effect is have your protagonist interject themselves into the mystery. He or she can’t stay away. The lead character not only feels the need to solve the mystery, but he inserts himself into the lives of the other characters. The trick is to lead readers to believe that the main character may be guilty, despite all the evidence that suggests otherwise.

If you include both effects, you lead your reader to suspect everyone, yet disbelieve it could be the character they’ve come to love. Make them want to say, “Just as I suspected,” but lead them to doubt their conclusion!

Do you have any tips and tricks up your sleeve for writing suspense? Let me know in the comments! Every comment enters you in a drawing to receive my book, Sour Lemon and Sweet Tea!