What Makes a Killer Thriller?

The episode opens with host Natalie Kitroeff introducing the show and promoting a special 30-day free access to The New York Times for new subscribers. The main theme revolves around the recent release of The Times' list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century, compiled from votes by nearly 300 authors and experts. The list reflects the broad and diverse nature of the thriller genre, emphasizing that there is no strict definition but generally includes suspense and mystery elements.

Sarah Lyall, the Times' thriller columnist, discusses what defines a thriller, highlighting suspense, plot movement, and mystery as core components. She shares her personal history with the genre, from childhood Nancy Drew books to Agatha Christie, culminating in her appreciation for thrillers that incorporate literary qualities. She emphasizes that thrillers are a wide-ranging genre, including police procedurals, psychological thrillers, and even literary works with thriller elements, such as Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch".

The host inquires about how the top 50 thrillers list was compiled, which involved sending ballots to a diverse group of writers and experts, asking them to list their top 10 thrillers published since 2000. The list includes novels that blur genre lines and feature thriller elements but may not be traditional mystery or crime stories. The discussion highlights that the list showcases a variety of books, from bestsellers to high-literature, including surprises like Emma Donahue's "Room" and Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch".

The episode delves into why certain books like Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl" resonate widely, focusing on unreliable narrators and psychological depth. It emphasizes the broad appeal of thrillers that combine literary quality and engaging plots. French and Lyall talk about the importance of character development, atmosphere, and social context, exemplified by Irish author Tana French, whose multiple books are acclaimed for their depth and complexity.

Tana French explains her approach to writing, which involves exploring characters and places deeply rather than following traditional series detective formulas. She describes her process of creating stories through discovery and intuition, often starting without a set end in mind. French’s method emphasizes character psychology and societal context, and she discusses her decision not to write about COVID directly but to set her novel in a time of lockdown with a mysterious visitor.

French and Lyall explore how settings and societal issues influence thrillers. French notes that crime often reflects the values, fears, and conflicts of a society, making context vital to understanding the narrative. Their conversation underscores the idea that thrillers serve as a lens to explore human nature, social tensions, and cultural attitudes.

The episode asserts that the concept of a 'thriller' is extremely broad. French criticizes the idea of a strict genre boundary, pointing out that great thrillers vary vastly in style and substance. They discuss the idea that thrillers often explore profound questions about human psychology, morality, and societal issues, blurring lines with literary fiction.

French shares her thoughts on the recent New York Times' list of 100 best thrillers of the century, noting the diversity and lack of a strict definition. She humorously recalls her abandoned ballot, highlighting her love for books that combine beauty of language with thrilling plots, such as "Winter's Bone." She advocates for reading a wide array of books and emphasizes that thrillers are fundamentally about exploring mysteries—both external and internal.