Slap some cuffs on me, put me in an interrogation room, and then lock me up because I have a confession to make: I love thrillers.
Give me your psychopaths! Give me your sociopaths! Give me your serial killers! The line between right and wrong is fascinating, and there is a certain thrill in watching this line be crossed. Not just crossed, but poked and prodded, manipulated and twisted, then stabbed and strangled. I grew up watching Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order. I devoured mystery books. I developed an addiction to true crime shows. The reason for this is simple, and it is also why I love thrillers so much: they put fear into you.
Thrillers rip apart your carefully ordered world, and they place murder, blood, and mayhem in its place. They make you jump at every single noise in the house when it’s late at night and you’re all alone. Thrillers take ordinary people and turn them into the most unimaginable monster possible. Nothing is given. Thrillers make you think, they make you wonder, they make your heart beat faster. Thrillers feature strong, capable characters who triumph over evil every time. Sometimes our strong, capable characters hold some darkness themselves, and the line between good and evil blurs. That is even better.
The world exists in shades of gray, and the best thrillers pounce on that and own it. Books with murder and blood and guts are scary, but when they become real and you can imagine them happening in your neighborhood, in your town, they turn scarier. Thrillers are my own brand of horror.
And if you want an author who knows how to write a thriller, choose Karin Slaughter. The crimes are brutal and horrific. The characters are flawed and broken, but oh so realistic. Karin Slaughter’s books probe the inhumane part of humanity with mysteries that keep you turning the pages and rushing off the buy the next book. (I did this. Trust me when I say it was absolutely necessary.) And better yet? Slaughter is her real last name. If that doesn’t say “best thriller writer ever,” I’m not sure what does.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) August 23, 2012 at 8:53 am
Great post, Amanda!
I love watching thrillers on TV, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a proper thriller book. OK, maybe a couple, but they’re not something I seek out regularly when I’m at the library.
I definitely think I should pick up a few of these soon …. I think a thriller would make for a perfect fall read!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 10:19 am
I lurve thrillers. I generally don’t watch a lot of fictional thrillers on TV (I stick to true crime), but I do love my fictional books.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal August 23, 2012 at 9:06 am
“Slap some cuffs on me…” Yes, please.
Oh, wait. Not *those* types of cuffs. My bad.
I am seriously so thrilled that I decided to pick up my first Karin Slaughter book. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen you talking about her, I probably would have passed her right by and that would be a CRIME!
Excellent post, Amanda! You’ve successfully lured me over to the bark, brutal Thriller side.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 10:20 am
*pokes you* Of course you’d make this dirty.
I’m glad you picked up Karin Slaughter AND that you liked her! :)
Felicia August 23, 2012 at 9:17 am
Excellent Post!
You also turned me on to Karin Slaughter and I will never go back. I am so excited to meet her in Oct. Though I am sure I will sound like a bumbling idiot!
I love Thrillers and yep you can lock me up too. Though I wouldn’t stand a chance against some of the baddies I have read LOL
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 10:20 am
I am super jealous you get to meet Karin!
Felicia August 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I am excited! I just found out Charlaine Harris is going to be there too. I might just die of fangirl overload!
Melissa (Books and Things) August 23, 2012 at 2:45 pm
She does have a great last name. I’m so going to check out her books. I love a good thriller!!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Yay! Karin Slaughter definitely got me hooked back on thrillers. I love them so!
Mary @ Book Swarm August 23, 2012 at 6:34 pm
*raises hands in a placating manner* *backs away slowly* Okay, thriller girl…whatever you say…
Heh. Kidding! I love a good thriller.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Heh. Thriller girl. Did my enthusiasm scare you a bit? I *did* write this post on only a few hours of sleep and no coffee.
Phil Tucker August 23, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Loved this post! Chalk me up as another guy who’s going to have to check out Ms. Slaugher’s work… *grin*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Awesome! I hope you enjoy Karin Slaughter’s books! :)
Kristin @myparahangover August 23, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I’ve been checking out all the posts this week b/c I don’t normally read mysteries so I’m trying to educate myself. I’m going to go check out Karin Slaughter and actually suggest her to my mom. She lives on those types of books!! Great post (as usual)!!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender August 23, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Yay! Spreading the mystery love! I like it. :)