Thriller Literature

Thriller is a genre of fiction literature, art, film and television destined to amateurs of thrilling sensations such as fear, horror or tension and suspense. It includes genres as psychological thriller, political thriller, conspiracy thriller, crime thriller or supernatural thriller. These creations stimulate the reader’s mood such as uncertainty, anxiety, tension, terror and suspense.

One of the most famous mystery and thriller authors is Agatha Christie. Christie published 80 novels and short stories and 19 plays that are translated into over 70 languages. By 2006, her books were sold in two billion copies in the whole world. UNESCO believes that at this time, Agatha Christie is the most translated author in the most languages being surpassed only by the collective works of Walter Disney Production Corporation. Christie was appointed by the Guinness Book of World Records the best-selling writer of all time, with William Shakespeare. Her stories are mostly about Hercule Poirot, a detective that solves different crimes and investigations. Her first novel appeared in 1920 and is called 'Mysterious Business at Styles'

Another significant image of thriller literature and fiction books is Stephen King. His stories were almost entirely screened either for movie theaters or television movies. King received in 2003 the U.S. National Book Foundation medal for the 'exceptional contribution to American literature.' King's novels are built around a protagonist usually inconspicuous, such as a middle-class family, child, or often writer, which are involved in supernatural events and extraordinary circumstances, extended throughout the story. King has a deep knowledge of the horror genre, as evidenced by its volume nonfiction 'Danse Macabre', which examines notable titles of horror literature and cinema over the last decades. The most famous stories include 'Carrie' that appeared in 1974, 'The Shining' in 1977, 'Firestarter' in 1980, 'Cujo' in 1981 and 'It' in 1986 among many others.