What Makes a Killer Thriller?
Summary
Hosts Natalie Kitroeff and Sarah Lyle discuss The New York Times Book Review’s list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century, highlighting top picks like *Gone Girl* and the literary merits of the genre. They are joined by acclaimed author Tana French, who has four books on the list, to explore her character-driven writing process and the blurred lines between mystery and literary fiction. French also reveals details about her upcoming novel set during the pandemic lockdown.
Topics discussed
Intro and sponsor messages
Defining the thriller genre and personal reading history
The Times' list of 50 best thrillers of the century
Literary merit in thrillers and Tana French's acclaim
Tana French on her writing process and audience
French's accidental start and messy drafting method
Navigating plot structure and unsolved mysteries
Sponsor breaks for The Bear and IBM
Unreliable narrators and exploring the human psyche
How setting and society shape crime narratives
Blurring lines between literary and genre fiction
French's personal favorites and upcoming book
Outro and final sponsor message
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