The Difference Between Mystery and Suspense

Although mystery is an element found in almost every genre…what if there weren’t any secrets to uncover or bad guys to catch? Why would you want to continue reading? Romance, romantic suspense/thrillers and other genres all have some sort of element of mystery.

Mystery novels involve a puzzle―a masterful game of whodunit. A crime usually happens and it’s up to the protagonist to uncover the truth.

In a suspense novel―a threat and imminent danger must be resolved.

Something is coming. Footsteps. Bad guys. Run! Run! Run!

It’s the ticking bomb concept.

A suspense novel builds then ebbs creating an emotional rollercoaster. The author ensures the ride crashes at the right moment with a big bang.

I love writing and reading romantic suspense, not only does the suspense provide instant tension in a story, I love the push-pull-tug-of-war of romance.

Will the hero and heroine get together? Will they overcome the conflict and live happily ever after?

In REFLECTION, my heroine, reporter, Whitney Steel is investigating an alleged human cloning project when she meets up with the hero, FBI Agent, Blake Neely, who is searching for his own answers. Everything from this point on focuses on Blake and Whitney discovering whether or not the villain has produced the world’s first cloned human. Whitney and Blake don’t set out to fall in love. The relationship between the hero and heroine evolves because of the suspense.

So what is the perfect blend of romance and suspense? In my opinion–a kick-ass heroine and a sexy FBI agent, sizzling romance, murder, and lots and lots of mayhem!

Florida investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, has lived in the shadow of her legendary father long enough. To prove herself she needs to find the “Big” story.

She found it.

Now it may kill her.

After Whitney receives a lead pointing to the world’s first cloned human, now a small child, she vows to unravel the truth. However, sifting through the facts proves to have dangerous results, including death threats and murder.

When Whitney is nearly killed, but is saved by undercover FBI Special Agent, Blake Neely, he refuses to let her get in the way of his own objective—at least not right away.

Caught in a lethal game between a billionaire obsessed with genetic perfection, his hit man’s thirst for retribution, and a Colombian drug lord fresh out of prison determined to make Blake pay for his twin brother’s death over a decade ago…

Can they save an innocent child before it’s too late?

Faced with tough choices, with deadly consequences for many—Whitney soon realizes that sometimes a story becomes more than just a story.