Good Minds Suggest: Nicholas Sparks's Favorite Romantic Thrillers
Posted by Goodreads on October 5, 2015
The author shares some of his favorite tales of love under duress, telling Goodreads, "While you might be surprised by some of my choices, I feel that the books mentioned below all incorporate powerful elements of romantic love and gut-wrenching suspense, seamlessly knit together…a thrilling combination and no easy feat to write."
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
"Published in 1847, Jane Eyre is not only a classic, but a novel that revolutionized the art of fiction. While it has been described in many ways—as a coming-of-age story, or a novel of social commentary, for instance—Jane Eyre is first and foremost a riveting, mystery-filled love story. The emotional and physical abuse inflicted upon Jane by her aunt and cousins as a child failed to destroy her spirit, making her one of the most memorable heroines of all time—a fierce young woman who fights for and rescues the man she loves, against all odds."
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
"With one of the most famous opening lines in literary history—'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again'—Du Maurier built on the foundation established by Brontë, and the result was a novel embraced as a commercial success at the time and a modern classic in the decades to come. The malevolent Mrs. Danvers, with her endless attempts to undermine the heroine, is a unique and sinister antagonist, and the novel artfully creates layers of mystery as to the fate of the original Mrs. Winters with every passing chapter. Add in elements of betrayal, murder, and gripping atmospheric detail, and what you get is a romantic thriller that continues to delight readers three-quarters of a century later."
Sleeping with the Enemy by Nancy Price
"While many people are familiar with the 1991 film of the same title starring Julia Roberts, fewer people realize that the story was adapted from a novel originally published in 1987. The novel—which centers around a wife who escapes from an abusive husband—is stylishly written, and heroine Laura Burney is so well defined and compelling that it is impossible for the reader to stop turning the pages. It's a highly original novel whose voice and twisty plotting give rise to an almost unbearable escalation in tension by the time the conclusion is reached."
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafón
"Translated from Spanish, this is an epic novel that combines romantic and thriller elements in a truly unique way. It is the story of a boy who chooses a book—the first book he has ever chosen for himself—and how that simple act ignites a singular and deeply compelling mystery. Utterly unpredictable, it is a story that balances danger and love in startling ways, leaving the reader satisfied and amazed at the end of the journey."
Tell No One by Harlan Coben
"While generally described as a thriller (Coben is one of the great modern authors of bestselling thrillers), Tell No One is at its heart a love story. It is about a man who loved, and continues to love, a wife who has been missing for years. When he spots her—and is cautioned to tell no one—his love is complicated by a wealth of emotions revolving around the mystery of her disappearance. Tension mounts as the story unfolds, with one man's romantic obsession eventually giving way to page-turning thrills. A must-read."
Vote for your own favorites on Listopia: Best Romantic Suspense Books
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Julie
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Oct 07, 2015 05:38AM
I'm very excited about the new book. A romance thriller?? That sounds amazing! I will be at Barnes and Noble on Oct 13th to buy See Me :)
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Great to see two classic Gothics listed at #1 and 2! And not a surprise, either, when talking about twin skeins of romance and mystery. The world needs more Gothics, it's a style with a great tradition... I also liked Nicholas' label of "romantic thrillers" and will be interested to read See Me.
Cool, I have all of these on my list. =)
I have been looking for a new book from Nicholas Sparks every time I go to Barnes and Noble and Costco. FINALLYI can't wait to get it read it and add it up to my Nicholas Sparks collection.
Nicholas Sparks is such a talented writer who drives an audience in his books and films in a game called wits!
Some excellent suggestions here. Rebecca will always be a favorite of mine - timeless.
YOU HAVE GREAT SUGGESTION ON HERE ALL THE TIME. MOST OF THE BOOK THAT I READ COME FROM HERE OR MY BOOK CLUB OR A FRIEND WHO SPENDS HER TIME READING WHEN NOT WORKING. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Trying to read King John at the moment..so something a bit lighter would be welcome.See Me sounds interesting and not what is described as chic lit.Try to read soon.
You'll definitely see me buying 'See Me' in the bookstore. What I'm feeling now? I don't know I am already in seventh heaven.
I've read nine of your novels so far and have enjoyed the movies over and over again. Even my boyfriend enjoyed the movies. I am currently reading A Bend in the Road and at times I'm at the edge of my seat and thinking, wow this one would make a good movie. Any plans to put this one into production?
Arpita Das, wrote: "You'll definitely see me buying 'See Me' in the bookstore. What I'm feeling now? I don't know I am already in seventh heaven."I got See Me and Two by Two as Christmas gifts when they both came out. I haven't read them yet. My to-read list is so long haha.
