When a reader is looking for a book that will keep them on the edge of their seat or even a little spooked, they’ll likely grab either a mystery, crime, or thriller novel. These novels are all full of events that could seem shocking, will intrigue the reader, and are suspenseful. While these novels all have characteristics in common, they also have their differences. We’ll break down each genre and discuss the key differences between them. 

Mystery Books

With a mystery book, the main focus is that something happened in the story, and the goal is to uncover the truth. Most of the time, mystery books involve a crime, and the key to a mystery is to solve the puzzle that has everyone on the edge of their seat. More often than not, the main character is an investigator, detective, or an amateur who’s somehow involved but dying to solve the case. In the story, they take the reader along the journey of solving the big mystery. 

Crime Books

Crime books typically focus on the crime and the criminal. They follow the crime and often disclose the motive and the consequence of the crime. The reader usually gets an inside look at what drove the character to commit the crime and witnesses the nitty-gritty of the process. In addition, the main character can be anyone from the person who committed the crime, to a detective, or even a character who was firsthand affected by the crime.  

Thriller Books

A thriller book is mainly centered around suspense. The goal is to give the reader everything they’re looking for in a thriller book, like action, fear, and suspense. A thriller book typically includes an event that’s currently happening or will occur. The reader is usually taken along for the journey to witness the event. This helps make the book feel more action-packed and fast-paced. The (future) hero and the villain are often revealed close to the beginning of the book, and the book follows along a circumstance where the hero has to stop the villain. 

The Differences Between Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Books

There are a few important factors to remember when distinguishing different genres. For instance, crime books go into the “why.” They jump into why the crime is being done. Mystery books explore who did the crime and “how” it was done. Lastly, thrillers delve into the “what if.” Mysteries typically discuss the crime and work in reverse to solve it, while thrillers are usually set in the present. It’s also important to note that these genres can cross paths. You may see books that are crime-thrillers or thrillers that also involve a mystery. 

In Conclusion

In conclusion, distinguishing the genres of crime, thriller, and mystery books can seem difficult, but it’s easier than you may think. If you’re looking to write one of these genres, this guide should help.

If you have a crime, mystery, or thriller book that you would like to promote, Book Brush is here to help! We have countless templates that you can use to promote one of these genres. You’ll be able to create this book easily and quickly. Happy creating!