Time

When I come across a book I really like, I want to take a look at all books by that author regardless of when they were written. That tends not to be an issue with romances because they generally transcend time. Not so straightfoward with thrillers. The advent of mobile phones that would fit in your pocket has made many old plots nonsensical. You have to remind yourself that they weren't around when the story was written. In fact, mobile phones have made plotting thrillers more difficult because they can pinpoint your location, so they are the first thing the murderer needs to get rid of. I've had to make sure some of my characters are parted from their cell phones to make plot points work. Since my son has lost, destroyed, mislaid numerous mobiles in his time, I don't feel I've stretched the truth too far.
What I hope I've managed in my romances is that they are pretty much timeless. I try not to mention specific events, or actual people (as far as I'm able). I wonder if people will still be reading my stories in ten years time!