By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Before diving into the differences between Christian and general market suspense, let’s first define a suspense novel.
A suspense novel uses highly developed characters, excitement, real or imagined fear, anxiety about something potentially violent, and high stakes to create an emotionally charged experience for the reader.
The fast-paced stories use literary techniques to keep the character’s stress, tension, and conflict paramount to the reader. Foreshadowing with subtle promises to the reader while withholding information will pack a punch and heighten interest and curiosity. The novel anchors readers in the character’s shoes and allows them to live the adventure through the eyes of the character vicariously.
Whether writing for the Christian or general market, the writer uses their gift to create a story that shows memorable characters, a plot with twists and turns, an antagonistic setting, in-character dialogue, and emotionally charged writing.
Christian writers may choose to publish in the general market but avoid scenes and language that are offensive to their faith. A variance of the cliché, “You can take the faith out of the story, but you can’t take the faith out of the author” applies. Many Christians write for the general market as a way of expressing stories in a clean, wholesome manner.
A writer who maintains a secular worldview does not understand God or the foundation of biblical beliefs to create authentic Christian fiction.
Christian Suspense Traits:
- Faith-based problem-solving: One or more characters solve their problems or pursue their goals from a Christian worldview. This occurs according to the writer’s understanding of biblical principles, using truth and their faith in God’s guidance.
- Inclusive characters: Not all characters need to be Christian.
- Incorporation of faith: A clear faith element is present.
- Clean language: Swearing is eliminated. Creative language or figurative speech replaces curse words.
- Responsible portrayal of violence: While suspense novels contain realistic and credible violence, the writer does not exploit or glorify it.
- Exclusion of explicit content: Sex scenes are absent. Relationships between a man and a woman focus on emotional tension rather than physical intimacy.
General Market Suspense Traits:
- Secular worldview: Characters interpret life through their experiences, beliefs, values, and expectations.
- Language flexibility: Swearing or cursing is included when the writer believes it is necessary for authenticity.
- Varied character beliefs: Christian characters and those of any religious affiliation may appear.
- Graphic violence: Violence may be extreme or graphic, depending on the writer’s preference for the story.
- Explicit content: Sex scenes are included if the writer deems them appropriate.
Subgenres of Suspense
Writers can choose subgenres that fit their beliefs and audience. These subgenres can be tailored for either the Christian or general market:
- Psychological Suspense
- Crime Suspense
- Thriller Suspense
- Romantic Suspense
- Legal Suspense
- Medical Suspense
What Sets Them Apart?
The difference between Christian and general market suspense depends on the writer’s convictions and the goal of the story project. Christian suspense aligns with faith-based principles, while general market suspense reflects a broader range of worldviews and storytelling approaches.
What Matters Most to You?
What do you value most in a suspense story? Is it the moral undertone, the fast-paced plot, the character depth, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts below!
Comments 28
I’ve read some general market suspense and thrillers that other authors have suggested. However, I prefer Christian fiction. I like to read clean books. I like faith-based problem solving.
Heidi, thank you for taking the time to comment. Read on!
“A writer who maintains a secular worldview does not understand God or the foundation of biblical beliefs to create authentic Christian fiction.”
That is a bold statement. It’s like saying Christians don’t understand science because they don’t believe in it.
Author
Hi Luch, Thank you for sharing your perspective! I appreciate thoughtful discussion on this topic. The intent behind that statement was to highlight the challenge of authentically portraying a Christian worldview without personally embracing or fully understanding its foundations. Just as writing convincingly about any deeply held belief system requires insight and experience, the same applies to faith-based storytelling.
That said, I completely understand your concern, and I certainly respect that people approach both faith and storytelling from different viewpoints. It’s always interesting to hear how others see the world. Thank you for adding to the conversation!
I prefer the Christian suspense. I love a good suspense story with characters that feel you know and a message that encourages or challenges us spiritually. Diann, I love your books. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Author
Thank you, Vicki, for your kind words. I appreciate you and for reading Christian fiction.
My favorite part of a story is the character depth. (I only read Christian/clean fiction). I love a great romantic suspense, and expect them all to ramp tension, have action, and move fast, but great character development sets them apart.
Author
Thank you, Nicole. I love character depth too when reading fiction. It helps me see other people from a different perspective.
I only read Christian books. My favorite genre is mystery/suspense. I love reading and I like that I don’t have to worry about language or explicit stuff. Thanks for sharing your love of mystery.
Author
Thank you, Jane, for taking the time to comment. I feel the world’s a dangerous and unpredictable world, and I want others to know that there are Christians who care.
I’ve read a lot of suspense novels. For most of my life, I was unaware of the Christian suspense genre. Maybe that speaks to how it is marketed, but I missed it completely until I was about 65. Then my wife got me a Barnes & Noble Nook, and at that time they had a free Friday promotion where selected books would be available. One of those was “Fatal Judgement” by Irene Hannon. It looked interesting, I read it, and I was hooked. From that point on, I was on a search for more books and more authors in this amazing genre. I found your books, DiAnn, and many others, and for the last 12 years, this genre has been my favorite form of fiction. I love the plot twists, trying to guess how done it, and even the romantic aspects as well. Thank you, and all the others, who have written exciting, inspiring, clean fiction for our reading entertainment.
Author
Tim, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. On behalf of Christian authors, we appreciate you reading our books.
I definitely read Christian fiction because of no foul language, NO graphic sex scenes, faith based and a good plot. In the last couple of years, I definitely look at the cover of a novel. If it’s a female character on the front and it is in any suggestive, I will NOT buy it, no matter how much I love an author’s work.
The world offers everything.Christians can offer excellent, quality books without compromise.
I love how I always learn things from your books, DiAnn!
Author
Barbara, thank you for your kind words. You made me and so many other Christian writers feel amazing. I appreciate your reading my books!
I have a testimony about Christian fiction that goes back 25 years to when my husband was dying. It’s too long to share as a comment, but sometime I’ll send it to you. On another when I was producing the writer’s conferences Lee Warren and I used to have interesting conversations about Christian fiction writers and fiction writers that were Christian. He strongly believes there is quite a difference. All I know is I enjoy all the books that you right. You just don’t right fast enough 🙂
Author
Thank you, Gerry, and yes, I’d love to hear your story. Thank you for reading my books and other Christian books!
I read it because it’s Christian based and no sex scenes or bad language.
I love how God is brought into each story.
Author
Ethelann, thank you. God is the reason Christian authors write stories that glorify Him.
I read both Christian Suspense and General Market Suspense. So I would be considered to be a reader of subgenres of Suspense. Some of the authors I love are Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Natalie Walters, and Susan Sleeman. Here are a few more authors I enjoy reading Debra Webb, Hank Phillippi Rayan, Harlequin Intrigue, and J A Jance.
I would have to say that I’m a reader of all types of books because I enjoy reading books from good authors. Just wanted you to know that I have read some of your books too, Crime Scene: Houston
Call of Duty, FBI: Houston and I just started another one of your FBI Task Force. (From my library)
Author
Gail, thank you for your comments. Your favorite authors are mine too. I appreciate your reading y books.
I read Christian suspense especially because is no graphic descriptions of violence while still having all the element of romantic suspense. No needs to read bad bad language or explicit content to enjoy a good story. I recommend Christian romantic suspense all the time for those reasons. Many people will never enter a church for a church service but at least they can read about it from a faith filled perspective which can open a world of reading Christian fiction changing their lives forever.
Author
JCP, I agree with you! Thanks for sharing your insight. Christian fiction should change our lives not make us feel like we need a shower.
No matter the genre or subgenre, the Christian writer recognizes that the pen becomes a light to a dark world. In a Christian suspense story, I value grace, integrity, and a compelling narrative with a grand finale–perhaps somebody is added to God’s kingdom or maybe there’s a rock left in someone’s shoe.
Author
Dawn, beautifully said. Thank you.
This is excellent information. As a part of my church library, it is very important that we follow guidelines for our readers.
Often we receive donations and we try diligently to maintain our Christian values.
This information will be shared with our library team , so thank you.
( and by the way- DiAnn, your books are read by so many- with high praise).
Bless you!
Author
Joyce, you are so kind! Many thanks for taking the time comment and for your church library carrying my books.
I love suspense books, but I much prefer the Christian way of the characters dealing with their fears and problems. How could anyone come unscathed from the attacks of the world unless they have God?
Author
Betty, thank you. I don’t know how anyone survives the challenges of this world without God.