Yes, good definition!
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@NanK, I don’t know that any of the publishers or authors I’ve spoken with has mentioned any kind of definition. I’ll have to ask the next time I’ve got a Q&A - maybe Nicola Solvinic or Annelise Ryan. Their books seem to straddle that line.
BookBrowse reviewers are the ones who categorize books when they get featured, so I imagine there’s no hard and fast rule around which is which. I often just choose both to be on the safe side.
It’s an interesting concept, which I might explore. The book we’ll soon discuss, I’m Not the Only…" feels like a mystery but not a thriller to me. **Does a thriller have more danger? The author’s writing style is one key. Character development, details, dread, fear, suspense… thriller.
I agree with you… but then there’s a difference between a cozy mystery like this one, and other mysteries that are more active… maybe?
Perhaps that’s the difference. Thrillers add an adrenaline rush while mysteries are more cerebral?
Ooh! I love all thrillers, but my favorite are medical then legal, then psychological, and then everything else. Most of my favorite authors write thrillers, including Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham, James Patterson, Michael Connely, and many many more great ones!
AI Google, the leading authority of all that is important in life, differentiates mystery and thriller in these ways, with some editorial comments by me:
M (Mystery) centers on solving a crime, usually a murder; finding the person who did the dastardly deed
T (Thriller) focuses on suspense, dread, and preventing future crimes. The bad guys might be known early on, and the story revolves around stopping them from doing the bad stuff.
M: The protagonist, aka detective/crime solver, isn’t usually in any danger until the very end when he/she faces the criminal. Aha!
T: The main character is constantly in danger, fighting for their life, living in fear yet continuing to pursue those plotting the bad deed.
M: relies on clues, deductive reasoning, use of red herrings is okay, though
T: fast-paced, intense, doom, fear, and excitement to thwart the evil plans
I have to and hate to admit the AI definitions helped me although I do believe some books crossover.
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P.S. The antagonists need not always be people. E.g. some medical thrillers combat mutating germs. Some thrillers cross into the sci/fi genre, i.e. Planet of the Apes, Jurassic Park plots. On and on.
Hah! That’s awesome, @NanK! That is tremendously helpful. Thanks for thinking of asking the all-knowing Gemini.