Five Must-Read Thrillers for Aspiring Literary Artists
Article Title: Exploring the World of Thrillers with Older Women Protagonists
In the realm of literature, there are authors who stand out for their unique storytelling and character development. One such author is Don Winslow, known for his action-packed novels like The Border and The Cartel, which delve into the world of DEA agents and Mexican drug cartels. These books, with their fast-paced writing style, serve as a masterclass for writers on pacing in their own work (1).
However, Winslow is not just limited to the action genre. He recommends delving into psychological suspense novels, particularly those featuring ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances. For instance, he suggests "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver and "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin, praising the latter as a classic of suspense and emphasizing the importance of keeping a story simple (2).
Another author who shines in the psychological thriller genre is Joy Fielding. Her works, such as All the Wrong Places, The Bad Daughter, and She's Not There, are filled with intrigue and suspense. Fielding's latest novel, "Jenny Cooper Has a Secret", stands out for its two main characters, aged 76 and 92, who find themselves entangled in a dark mystery (3).
This trend of featuring older women as main characters in thrillers is gaining popularity. Samantha Downing's "Too Old for This" introduces Lottie Jones, a retired serial killer in her later years, whose quiet life is disrupted by an unexpected visitor, thrusting her back into danger. Another noteworthy book is "Jenny Cooper Has a Secret" by Joy Fielding herself, where the two main characters are 76 and 92 years old (4).
The subgenre of crime fiction also highlights women of a certain age. Books like "Killers of a Certain Age", about women in their sixties who were deadly assassins but can't retire, and "The Marlow Murder Club", featuring a 77-year-old woman detective, offer fresh perspectives on crime stories (5).
These thrillers stand out for their morally complex, seasoned female protagonists who bring unique perspectives shaped by their age and life experience. As authors continue to explore this subgenre, readers can look forward to more compelling stories featuring older women.
In a different sphere, Pat Conroy's The Prince of Tides is highly recommended for writers interested in great storytelling. Lastly, the author's novels, especially when she was a young wife and mother, often reflected her reality: her fears, her hopes, her insecurities (6). As she has grown older, her heroines tend to age as well, but generally stay below the age of fifty. Interestingly, these heroines often reflect where the author is in her own life (7).
In conclusion, the world of literature offers a rich tapestry of stories, and the inclusion of older women as main characters in thrillers is a welcome addition. Whether it's the action-packed novels of Don Winslow or the psychological suspense of Joy Fielding, there's a thrilling story for every reader.
The psychological suspense novels suggested by Don Winslow, such as "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and "Rosemary's Baby", provide enthralling entertainment for readers. Joy Fielding's books, like "Jenny Cooper Has a Secret", offer intriguing suspense with older women protagonists, contributing to the growing popularity of this trend in the thriller genre.
