Joslyn Chase's Blog

Have you ever finished a book, stared at the last page, and thought… Wait. WHAT?

Not in the “I’m confused” way. But rather in the “I need to sit here for a minute and re-evaluate my entire life” way.

That’s the power of a good plot twist.

When it’s done well, a twist doesn’t just surprise us—it reorders the meaning of everything we thought we knew. It snaps our attention into crystalline focus, like a sudden clap of thunder in a quiet room. And if the storyteller has played fair, we can look back and see the breadcrumbs we missed… right there in plain sight.

Let’s talk about the different types of plot twists, why we crave them, and some well-known examples that have shaped how we experience story.

Why We Love Plot Twists (Even When They Break Our Hearts)

In real life, surprises can be… inconvenient. Sometimes downright unwelcome.

But in fiction? We demand them.

Why? Because twists do something our brains adore:

They focus our attention. For a moment, everything else falls away and we’re locked into the story. (Surprise has a superpower, remember?)

They reward our curiosity. A twist feels like the click of a lock opening—suddenly the whole mechanism makes sense.

They offer catharsis. Even a dark twist can give us that emotional release when the truth finally surfaces.

They give us meaning. A great twist doesn’t just change events—it changes what those events mean. And meaning is what we’re always hunting for, whether we realize it or not.

In other words, twists are story’s way of saying, Pay attention—this matters.

9 Types of Plot Twists (with Examples You’ll Recognize)

A quick note before we stroll into spoiler territory: I’ll keep the biggest “don’t-you-dare-ruin-that-for-me” reveals vague for the most famous stories—enough to illustrate the type without sabotaging anyone’s reading list.

1) The Identity Reveal

Someone isn’t who we (or the protagonist) believed them to be.

This twist works because it flips trust into doubt in a single beat. It also forces us to revisit every earlier interaction with new eyes.

Examples:

Harry Potter (the series is full of these—hidden identities are practically a currency at Hogwarts)

Jane Eyre (a revelation that changes the moral terrain of the story)

Many espionage stories, where masks are both literal and emotional

2) The Villain Reveal

We discover the true antagonist—sometimes someone “safe,” familiar, even beloved.

This one is delicious because it weaponizes our assumptions. We lean into comfort… and then the floor drops.

Examples:

Frozen (a modern, family-friendly version of this twist)

Classic mysteries where the least suspicious character turns out to be the engine of harm

3) The Unreliable Narrator

The storyteller can’t be trusted—because they’re lying, deluded, traumatized, manipulated… or simply not ready to face the truth.

This twist hits hard because it isn’t just about plot. It’s about perception. What we thought was reality becomes a hall of mirrors.

Examples:

Fight Club (a famous example of fractured perception)

Gone Girl (voice and narrative control become part of the battleground)

4) The “It Wasn’t What You Thought” Reframe

Same events. New meaning.

This is one of my favorites because it feels earned when the setup is strong. The twist doesn’t add something new—it reveals what was already there.

Examples:

The Sixth Sense (the gold standard of retroactive meaning)

Arrival (a twist that’s more emotional than shocking—quiet, profound, and oddly tender)

5) The Secret Past

A buried history comes roaring into the present.

We love this twist because it mirrors real life: people are layered. No one is only what they appear to be on the surface.

Examples:

Rebecca (the past is a living presence)

The Bourne Identity (identity built on hidden history)

6) The Betrayal Twist

An ally turns. Or a love interest reveals a motive. Or a trusted institution proves rotten.

This one works because it attacks a value we care about deeply: loyalty. It also forces the protagonist to grow up fast.

Examples:

The Hunger Games (alliances shift and betrayals sting)

Many spy tales—because espionage is, at its heart, a study in trust under pressure

7) The “Plan Within the Plan”

We think we’re watching chaos… but someone has been steering the ship all along.

This twist is especially satisfying because it transforms dread into awe. We realize there’s been intelligence at work behind the curtain.

Examples:

Ocean’s Eleven (twisty competence on display)

Sherlock Holmes stories often play with this—revealing the hidden architecture behind the mystery

8) The Impossible Situation Twist (Locked Room / How-Did-That-Happen?)

A twist built around mechanics: the crime, the escape, the disappearance that shouldn’t be possible.

These are the plot twists that make readers feel like detectives. They invite us to play.

Examples:

The Murders in the Rue Morgue (foundational)

John Dickson Carr’s locked room stories (a masterclass in “impossible”)

9) The Tragic Twist

The truth arrives… and it hurts.

Sometimes the twist isn’t a “gotcha.” It’s a heartbreak that reorients the story’s emotional spine.

These twists stay with us because they feel like life: revelation doesn’t always come with relief.

Examples:

Atonement (a twist that changes everything you thought you were reading)

The Lovely Bones (where meaning and grief intertwine)

The Difference Between a Twist and a Trick

A twist is satisfying when it feels inevitable in hindsight.

A trick is when the author hides the ball unfairly—when the reveal depends on information we couldn’t possibly have, or when it contradicts the story’s internal truth.

The best twists do two things at once:

They surprise us.

They make us say, Of course. It had to be that.

That’s not a cheap thrill. That’s craft.

And—speaking as both writer and lifelong reader—it’s one of the most magical experiences story can offer.

How about you? What’s a plot twist that got you—the kind that made you put the book down, pace the room, or immediately text a friend in all caps?

Tell us in the comments. And if you mention a twist that’s still “fresh” for new readers… maybe add a quick SPOILER WARNING to be kind.

The post The Many Flavors of Plot Twist appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Imagine this.

A man lies dead in a room bolted from the inside.
The windows are sealed.
The chimney is too narrow for a cat.
The snow outside the door is smooth and untouched.

No footprints. No weapon. No way in.

And yet… someone did it.

From the moment Edgar Allan Poe introduced “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” readers have been irresistibly drawn to the locked room mystery—the ultimate intellectual dare. We know the crime must have happened. We are certain there is a solution. But for a delicious stretch of time, the answer feels impossible.

Why do we love that feeling?

Why do we gravitate toward unsolvable mystery books and psychological thrillers that tie our brains in knots?

Let’s take a look.

The Allure of the Impossible

A locked room mystery is more than a clever trick.

It is a promise.

It says to the reader: There is order beneath the chaos. Stay with me, and I will show you how it fits.

In a world that often feels unpredictable, even absurd, the idea that a baffling crime can be untangled by logic is deeply satisfying. The perfect crime teases us with disorder—but ultimately reassures us that truth can be found.

And that reassurance matters more than we sometimes realize.

The Brain Loves a Puzzle

There’s a psychological component at work when we encounter an “impossible” crime.

Our brains are pattern-seeking machines. When something doesn’t make sense—when the clues contradict each other or the physical facts seem to defy reality—our cognitive gears begin to turn.

We lean in.

A great mystery activates the same mental machinery we use to solve real-life problems. We hypothesize. We discard false leads. We test possibilities. And all the while, tension builds.

That tension—especially in psychological thrillers—creates a delicious discomfort. We want resolution. We crave it.

And when the solution arrives? The release is almost euphoric.

It’s not unlike finishing a complex piece of music. Dissonance resolving into harmony.

Why the “Perfect Crime” Isn’t Really Perfect

Here’s something fascinating: the so-called perfect crime almost always hinges on a human flaw.

Greed. Fear. Pride. Desperation.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave us impossible circumstances in “The Speckled Band.” Agatha Christie layered bafflement upon bafflement in her classic puzzle mysteries. And John Dickson Carr became the undisputed master of the locked room mystery, constructing scenarios that left readers breathless.

But in each case, the mechanical puzzle rests on emotional truth.

That’s what makes the best mystery plot twists endure. Not just the ingenuity of the setup—but the inevitability of the motive.

A crime may look flawless on the surface. But underneath, it’s powered by very human impulses.

And readers recognize that.

The Safety of Fear

There’s another reason we love impossible mysteries.

They allow us to confront danger from a safe distance.

In psychological thrillers, especially, we explore manipulation, deception, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. We ask ourselves uncomfortable questions:

What would I do?
Would I see the clue?
Could I be fooled?

Story becomes a rehearsal space for risk.

As readers, we step into the locked room. We examine the evidence. We outwit the villain—or try to.

And when justice is restored, even imperfectly, we feel steadied.

The world makes sense again.

My Own Obsession with the Unsolvable

I confess, I have a soft spot for the seemingly impossible crime.

When I begin constructing a mystery, I often start with the question: What would make this feel unsolvable?

Then I build carefully.

I layer misdirection—not to cheat the reader, but to invite them into the dance. I plant clues in plain sight. I allow emotion to cloud perception. I ask myself how an intelligent person could overlook the obvious.

Because that’s what happens in real life, isn’t it?

We miss things. We jump to conclusions. We believe what we want to believe.

Crafting a locked room mystery—or any “perfect crime”—requires fairness. The solution must be there from the beginning, hidden but visible. When the reveal comes, I want readers to feel two things at once:

Surprise.
And inevitability.

Of course. It had to be that way.

That’s the sweet spot.

Order in Chaos

Ultimately, I believe why we love mysteries—why we love unsolvable mystery books and twisty psychological thrillers—is because they affirm something essential:

Truth exists.

Even when it’s obscured.
Even when it’s buried beneath lies.
Even when the room appears locked from the inside.

The perfect crime challenges us.
The solution restores us.

And perhaps that’s why the genre has endured for centuries.

Story is the beating heart of how we make sense of the world. A mystery, especially an impossible one, lets us practice believing that sense can be made.

That chaos can be unraveled.

That justice, though delayed, can prevail.

So tell me—

Do you enjoy a classic locked room mystery?
Or do you prefer the psychological kind, where the room isn’t locked at all… but the mind is?

I’d love to hear which impossible mysteries have kept you turning pages late into the night. Tell us about it in the comments.

The post Why Readers Crave Impossible Mysteries appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

The wait is over, my friends.

Cincher’s Waltz is officially out in the world!

After all the planning, plotting, detours, and quiet stretches where the story was only mine… it’s finally yours.

And I can’t tell you what a relief (and a thrill) it is to say that out loud.

Riley is back—and the music has changed

If you’ve been with me for Riley’s journey, you already know she doesn’t stay out of action for very long.

This time, her latest adventure in Cincher’s Waltz has that particular kind of momentum I love—where the tension tightens, the stakes climb, and the truth refuses to arrive in a neat, well-behaved line.

It’s the kind of story that moves like a dance you don’t realize you’ve stepped into until the rhythm shifts beneath your feet.

And once it does? You’d better be ready!

I truly believe you’re going to love this book—especially if you enjoy suspense with sharp edges, forward drive, and the slow-reveal kind of payoffs that make you sit back and say, Ohhh. So that’s what’s going on.

One week left to claim the launch bonuses

Because this is release season (and because I love giving readers a little extra), there are launch bonuses available—but only one week remains to claim them.

If you purchase Cincher’s Waltz during the launch period, here’s what’s waiting for you:

Bonus #1: Blood Trail — an exclusive companion novella

In Cincher’s Waltz, you’ll get glimpses of Nate’s homicide investigation.

But in Blood Trail, you get the rest of the story—more context, more tension, and more of the details that couldn’t fully fit inside the main novel while everything else was racing forward.

Bonus #2: Operation Slip Knot — a codebook puzzle-pack adventure

This one is for readers who like being a part of the story. You’ll enjoy intercepted clues, ciphered messages, and a story-driven trail you decode as you go.

(It’s designed to be satisfying, not maddening. Promise.)

Bonus claim details + how to get them

Want a peek at the vibe first?

If you haven’t watched it yet, the Cincher’s Waltz trailer is live on YouTube—an atmospheric little taste of what’s waiting inside the book.

Watch the trailer here

Ready to step onto the dance floor?

If you’re ready for Riley’s newest adventure, you can grab your copy here:

Get Cincher’s Waltz: https://books2read.com/cincherswaltz

And if you’ve already started reading, I hope you’re having that delicious experience where you keep telling yourself you’ll stop after the next chapter—and then you find yourself immersed in it.

Tell me this…

Have you started Cincher’s Waltz yet? If so, I’d love to hear where you are—no spoilers, just vibes.

And if you haven’t started, what do you love most in a thriller? A creeping mood, a relentless chase, or the twist you never saw coming?

Drop a comment or send me a note. I’m so happy to share this release with you—and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

The post Cincher’s Waltz Is Here! The Wait Is Over appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Have you ever watched a book trailer and felt that little click inside?

The one that says, Oh. That’s the mood. That’s the heartbeat. That’s the story world—and I can feel it pulling me in.

That’s why I love book trailers. When they’re done right, they don’t explain. They invite.

And today, I’m ridiculously happy to tell you…

The Cincher’s Waltz video trailer is now live on YouTube.

Your invitation to watch it is here.

I’ve been waiting to share this with you because trailers are a bit like opening night. They’re the moment when something that has lived quietly in my head—and then lived loudly on my keyboard—steps out into the light.

Suddenly, it’s not just my story anymore.

It’s yours to anticipate.

Why a trailer, anyway?

A book is made of words. So why make something visual?

Because stories don’t arrive in our minds as neat paragraphs. They arrive as images. Sensations. A sense of motion. A flicker of danger.

A trailer can’t capture every nuance (and it shouldn’t try). But it can do something I adore:

It can give you a taste of the atmosphere. The tension. The underlying music.

And Cincher’s Waltz has music in its bones.

A peek behind the curtain

Creating a trailer always sends me back to the core questions:

What is this story really about?

What is the danger?

What does the protagonist stand to lose?

And what, exactly, is waiting in the shadows?

These are the questions I ask because story is the beating heart—and when the heart is strong, everything else falls into place.

The trailer for Cincher’s Waltz was built to echo that heartbeat. To hint at what’s coming without giving away the best parts. To let you feel the pressure tightening… while still leaving you room to wonder.

Because wonder is the point.

One more thing (the fun part): limited-time bonuses

If you’re the kind of reader who enjoys getting a little more story, a little more immersion, a little more play—I made some bonuses that pair beautifully with Cincher’s Waltz.

They’re available during the pre-order and launch period, and they’re meant to be exactly what bonuses should be:

A thank-you. A backstage pass. A little extra thrill.

Bonus #1: “Blood Trail” — an exclusive companion novella

In Cincher’s Waltz, you’ll get glimpses of Nate’s homicide investigation.

You’ll feel it running alongside the main story—close enough to raise the stakes, sharp enough to leave a mark.

But in Blood Trail, you get the rest of the investigation.

More context. More tension. More of the pieces that don’t fit neatly into a passing mention or a quick phone call.

If you’re a “give me the full case file” reader… this one’s for you.

Bonus teaser on YouTube

Bonus #2: “Operation Slip Knot” — a codebook puzzle-pack adventure

This is for the readers who love to lean in.

Operation Slip Knot is a story-driven puzzle pack: intercepted clues, ciphered messages, and a trail you get to follow and decode as you go.

It’s the kind of experience where you’re not just consuming a story—you’re participating in it.

And yes, it’s designed to be satisfying, not maddening. (I’m a suspense author, not a monster.)

Bonus teaser on YouTube

Bonus #3: Special launch pricing

There’s also special launch pricing available during this window—and it will disappear when March is over.

No drama. No guilt. Just a simple “this is the season for it.”

If you were planning to pick up the book anyway, March is the month where your timing gets rewarded.

Preorder Cincher’s Waltz here
Bonus details + how to claim

Let’s talk about trailers

I’d love to know…

When you watch a book trailer, what hooks you most?

A single unsettling image?

A hint of the central mystery?

The mood—dark, bright, eerie, breathless?

Or are you like me, and it’s all about the rhythm… the sense of motion that says, Something is coming.

Tell me in the comments.

And if you watch the Cincher’s Waltz trailer and feel that little click—the one that whispers oh yes, this is going to be a ride—I want to hear that too.

Because this story is almost ready to step onto the dance floor.

And I can’t wait to see who’s there when the music starts.

The post The Cincher’s Waltz Trailer Has Landed appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

A few years ago, during a research binge for one of my Riley Forte thrillers, I stumbled across something strange. In a declassified Cold War memo, I read about a method of spy communication that used laundry lines. Yes—actual wet clothes, flapping in the wind.

The arrangement of garments—sheets, socks, underthings—was used to convey messages across courtyards in occupied Europe. One shirt on the line meant “Safe to meet.” Two shirts: “Abort.” Add a red scarf and it meant “You’re blown. Run.”

That was the moment I fell down the spycraft rabbit hole, and I’ve been spelunking ever since.

Spy fiction research is half the fun

There’s something uniquely satisfying about digging into the real-life mechanics of espionage—the tradecraft, the psychology, the sleights of hand that make the unbelievable suddenly plausible. For me, spy fiction research is more than just background; it’s story fuel.

Did you know that real-world agents often receive memory training to recall long strings of random numbers under pressure? Or that one operative passed secrets by baking them into pie crusts? I’ve uncovered dozens of these tactics while crafting scenes for Riley’s world, and each one adds texture and thrill to the stories.

It’s like walking a tightrope—balancing plausibility and wonder, fact and fiction. And it’s one reason why I love writing spy thrillers.

From the concert hall to the covert field

If you’ve read Nocturne in Ashes, you know Riley Forte didn’t set out to become an undercover operative. She was a concert pianist with a past that wouldn’t stay buried—and a knack for spotting patterns others miss.

In Staccato Passage, the second book in the series, Riley trains at a secretive spy school in Bavaria. It was one of the most research-heavy stories I’ve written, and perhaps the most fun. I dove into real spy academies, surveillance evasion drills, interrogation psychology, and the strange little tricks operatives use to blend in or disappear.

That research continues to shape Riley’s journey, especially as she heads into her most dangerous mission yet.

Cincher’s Waltz: The spy race is on

Coming March 24, Cincher’s Waltz drops Riley into a high-stakes chase against a cunning adversary—Cincher—who’s hunting the key to a forgotten wartime secret that could shift the balance of global power.

Riley and her team must unravel a trail of clues buried since World War II, racing through ruins, archives, and false identities. Think Raiders of the Lost Ark meets National Treasure—but with a pulse-pounding twist of modern-day espionage.

To bring it to life, I dove deep into WWII intelligence files, resistance networks, and obscure encryption techniques once used to smuggle secrets through enemy territory. And I wove in elements of modern spy tech to show how the past still casts its long, dangerous shadow.

The strange and fascinating world beneath the surface

In preparing this series, I’ve studied:

How to detect a tail (Try suddenly ducking into a shop window—watch who hesitates.)

Dead drop concealments used in cities and countrysides alike—you wouldn’t believe some of these hiding spots!

Code phrases hidden in ordinary conversation, like “I brought the lemons” meaning a drop is complete.

Each discovery made my spine tingle. That’s the joy of spy fiction research—it reminds me that the world is full of secrets, tucked inside park benches, hotel lobbies, and the pages of dusty war diaries.

And bringing those secrets to life on the page? That’s where the real thrill begins.

Join the mission

Cincher’s Waltz releases March 24, 2026, and it’s available now for pre-order.

If you’ve been following Riley since Nocturne in Ashes and Staccato Passage, I think you’ll love where this next chapter leads—into deep danger, buried history, and the kind of twisty, meaningful suspense I love to write.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how spy fiction blends fact and imagination—and how the forgotten secrets of war still echo today.

And if you’re curious what secrets Riley uncovers next, come along for the mission. Let’s discover the thrill of the chase—together.

Have you ever been fascinated by spy techniques or secret codes? Read a story that made you feel like you could be a spy?
Tell us about it in the comments—I’d love to hear.

The post How Real Spies and Secret Signals Shape My Fiction appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Have you ever been sure—deep in your bones—that something wasn’t right, even when all the evidence said otherwise?

That’s the question at the heart of Judge, Jury, & Executioner, the newest installment in my Steadman Mysteries series. And it’s a question that Chief Deputy Randall Steadman can’t stop asking after the death of his colleague, Deputy Sarah Jenkins.

It’s officially ruled a drunk driving accident. Open and shut.

But Sarah didn’t drink. And Steadman knows it.

There’s a lot at stake

This sixth book in the series has been an especially meaningful one to write. Not only because it deals with the kind of moral complexity I love exploring, but because it asks something we’ve all had to reckon with at some point: What do you do when the truth puts everything you care about at risk?

For Steadman, the answer means digging into a powerful local family whose influence reaches far beyond the borders of Mason County. It means withstanding pressure from inside his own department. And it means holding fast to empathy in a system that often treats it like a liability.

If you’ve followed Steadman and Frost from their early days, you’ll find echoes of the same themes here—loyalty, truth, and the long shadows of buried secrets. And if you’re new to the series, this story stands on its own, inviting you into a world where the stakes are high and the human heart is always part of the investigation.

What’s at the heart of the book

Let me share a snippet from the back cover:

Determined to uncover the truth, Steadman and his partner, Deputy Frost, begin digging into a powerful local family whose political influence stretches far beyond rural Mason County, Washington.

What starts as a quiet investigation soon spirals into a dangerous game of cover-ups, intimidation, and corruption.

With each new clue, the cost of pursuing justice climbs—and so does the risk factor.

In a flawed system where morality sometimes counts as a liability, Steadman’s empathy might be the one thing that destroys him—or saves them all.

As a reader, I crave stories that linger—that leave me with something to chew on after the last page. I hope Judge, Jury, & Executioner delivers that for you.

Whether you’re drawn to tightly plotted mysteries, character-driven crime fiction, or the kind of story that wrestles with truth and consequence, I invite you to check it out.

It’s available now, and I’d love to hear what you think.

How about you? Have you ever sensed something was off—and followed that hunch into unexpected territory? Tell us in the comments.

The post When justice gets personal, Judge, Jury, & Executioner gets it done appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Have you ever stayed up far too late with a book you meant to put down after just one more chapter—only to find yourself, hours later, breathless at the final page?

If so, chances are, you were reading a thriller.

Thrillers have a particular kind of magic—a visceral pull that sets them apart from other genres. But what, exactly, makes a thriller different? Is it the pacing? The stakes? The structure?

Let’s unravel this together, and along the way, I’ll share a few glimpses behind the curtain of my own thrillers—what I reach for as a writer and what I crave as a reader.

A Matter of Stakes and Speed

Thriller novels distinguish themselves with urgency. At the heart of every great thriller is a ticking clock—sometimes literal, often metaphorical. Whether it’s a bomb set to detonate, a spy who must expose a mole before they’re found out, or a mother racing to find her kidnapped child, the stakes are immediate and high.

Contrast that with, say, a cozy mystery, where the pace is gentler and the danger more contained. In thrillers, the tension starts early and rarely lets up. There’s a sense that lives—or entire nations—hang in the balance.

In Staccato Passage, for example, concert pianist Riley Forte finds herself thrust into the pressure-cooker world of espionage. She’s not just solving a puzzle—she’s dodging bullets, navigating betrayal, and trying to stop a catastrophic attack. The question isn’t merely “whodunit,” but “can it be stopped in time?”

That’s the pulse of a thriller. And it’s relentless.

Emotional Immersion and Physical Response

Thrillers aren’t just mental puzzles—they’re full-body experiences. Your heart races. Your muscles tense. You may find yourself holding your breath without realizing it.

There’s neuroscience behind this: well-written thrillers activate the brain’s survival mechanisms. We get a safe shot of adrenaline, a dose of simulated danger. It’s not unlike entering a hypnotic state, as I explored in a past post on how reading mirrors hypnosis. We willingly surrender to the story’s control, and in doing so, we feel.

That feeling—of being inside the story—is a hallmark of great thrillers. They create immersive, almost cinematic experiences. It’s not enough to be curious. You have to care.

Protagonists Under Pressure

Thriller heroes are often ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. They may be reluctant, flawed, or ill-prepared—but they’re not passive. They act. They adapt. They struggle, stumble, and, hopefully, triumph.

In Nocturne in Ashes, Riley isn’t a trained operative when the story begins. She’s a musician, dealing with personal grief, when Mount Rainier erupts and throws her into a deadly conspiracy. What makes her compelling isn’t just her intellect or talent—it’s her resilience. Readers root for her because she rises to meet a challenge far greater than she anticipated.

This differs from genres where protagonists may have more room to reflect or wander. In thrillers, reflection happens in motion. Choices must be made under pressure. That pressure reveals character, and that’s one of the genre’s most satisfying features.

The Engine of Suspense

Thrillers thrive on suspense—but not all suspense is created equal.

Suspense in thrillers often stems from dramatic irony: the reader knows something the character doesn’t. Remember Hitchcock’s famous example—the difference between a surprise explosion under a table and watching the bomb tick down while the characters eat lunch above it? That latter scenario is thriller territory.

In my Tal Bannerman thrillers, I love playing with layers of suspense. Tal may be charging into a high-octane mission, but the reader often knows more—or less—than he does. That imbalance of information creates a delicious tension. Who’s really in control? What’s the true danger?

Other genres may use mystery, dread, or atmosphere, but thrillers tap into anticipation. They make readers lean forward in their chairs.

Plot Twists That Resonate

Twists are another hallmark of thrillers—but not just for shock value. A good thriller twist doesn’t just surprise; it reframes everything that came before.

One of the most rewarding things, as both a reader and a writer, is when a twist feels earned. You didn’t see it coming, but in hindsight, it was inevitable. That aha! moment can be deeply satisfying—and it distinguishes thrillers from stories where the journey is more linear or introspective.

In Cold Hands, Warm Heart, a short story that appeared in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023, I layered clues that could lead to multiple conclusions. When the truth emerges, it’s not just a revelation—it’s an emotional release. That’s the kind of twist thrillers aim for.

Moral Complexity

Thrillers also tend to embrace shades of gray. While there’s often a clear threat, the lines between right and wrong can blur. Heroes make compromises. Villains have motives. Sometimes the greatest danger isn’t external, but internal.

This moral complexity is part of what makes the genre so enduring. It mirrors the real world. In my story A Band of Scheming Women, nominated for the Derringer Award, military heroines confront both external enemies and inner dilemmas about trust, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Thrillers don’t just ask “What will happen?” They ask, “What would you do?”

So What Makes a Thriller Different?

In essence, thrillers are about movement. Emotional movement. Plot movement. Psychological movement.

They differ from other genres not just in speed, but in direction. They funnel the reader toward a climactic payoff—an escape, a rescue, a confrontation, a truth revealed.

That doesn’t make them better than other genres. I adore a beautifully written literary novel or a well-wrought historical drama. But thrillers offer a particular kind of satisfaction—the thrill of the chase, the surge of survival, the quiet gasp when the final piece falls into place.

And when done right, they leave readers changed. Breathless. Moved. Awake.

How about you? What’s the last thriller that kept you up past your bedtime? What do you think sets thrillers apart from other kinds of fiction? Tell us in the comments—I’d love to hear your take!

The post What Makes a Thriller Novel Different from Other Genres? appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Every December, a familiar debate makes the rounds: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. With its holiday setting, twinkling lights, and the unmistakable strains of “Let It Snow” playing over the credits, it earns its place on the Christmas watchlist. But beyond the tinsel and the cheer, Die Hard remains one of the most perfectly presented thriller movies of all time.

And that got me wondering—who wrote the screenplay for Die Hard? Who crafted the sharp dialogue, the relentless pacing, and the white-knuckle suspense that made this film a classic?

The Writers Behind the Masterpiece

The screenplay for Die Hard was written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. Both men brought their own strengths to the project, creating a script that has stood the test of time.

Jeb Stuart was the first writer brought on board. He adapted the story from Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever. Stuart set the stage for the film’s core conflict, focusing on an ordinary man—John McClane—caught in extraordinary circumstances. He gave us the emotional underpinnings, the relatable everyman hero, and the heart of the story.Steven E. de Souza later polished and expanded the script. He injected humor, quick wit, and those memorable one-liners that have become part of our cultural lexicon. (Who can forget “Yippee-ki-yay”?) His contribution elevated the screenplay into the thrilling, fast-paced roller coaster ride we know and love.

Together, their collaboration was cinematic lightning in a bottle.

From Novel to Screen

It’s fascinating to think that Die Hard began as a sequel. Roderick Thorp had written Nothing Lasts Forever as a follow-up to his earlier novel The Detective, which had been adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra. When Hollywood sought to adapt Nothing Lasts Forever years later, Sinatra was contractually offered the role but declined. Eventually, Bruce Willis stepped into the shoes of John McClane, and the rest is history.

What Stuart and de Souza did so brilliantly was transform Thorp’s grim tale into a pulse-pounding thriller that balanced suspense with humanity. The result? A film that redefined the action-thriller genre and set a new standard for what audiences could expect.

 

Why Die Hard Works So Well

As someone who writes thrillers, I can’t help but admire the craftsmanship in Die Hard‘s screenplay. It nails the essential elements of suspense:

A Relatable Hero: John McClane isn’t a superhuman action figure. He’s a regular guy with flaws, fears, and a wry sense of humor. That relatability hooks us in.High Stakes: Hostages trapped in a skyscraper. A ruthless villain with a deadly plan. The clock ticking down. The stakes couldn’t be higher.Layered Conflict: Beyond the shootouts and explosions, McClane is battling for his marriage, his dignity, and his identity. That emotional depth gives weight to every punch and bullet.Surprise and Suspense: Each twist tightens the screws, from the discovery of Hans Gruber’s true intentions, to the revelation that Holly is John’s wife, to the improvised escapes through elevator shafts and air ducts. We’re constantly asking, What happens next?

These are the same qualities I strive for when crafting my own thrillers—to keep readers breathless, emotionally invested, and hungry for the next page.

Die Hard at Christmas

There’s a reason so many of us revisit Die Hard every holiday season. Amid the explosions and gunfire, it’s a story about connection and reconciliation. McClane isn’t just fighting terrorists—he’s fighting for his wife, for love, for the chance to put his family back together at Christmas.

It’s the perfect blend of adrenaline and heart, wrapped up in the glow of holiday lights.

A Thriller Writer’s Inspiration

Watching Die Hard again this December, I found myself not only entertained but inspired. The screenplay’s structure, its rhythm, and its mastery of suspense remind me of why I write thrillers in the first place. Story has the power to grip us, to carry us through danger, and to leave us satisfied at the end—like unwrapping the perfect Christmas gift.

So, who wrote the screenplay for Die Hard? The answer is Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. But the bigger answer is this: they wrote a story that has become part of our cultural fabric, one that continues to thrill us, surprise us, and yes—put us in the holiday spirit.

How about you? Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas movie? What’s your favorite moment from this thriller classic? Tell us in the comments.

The post Who Wrote the Screenplay for Die Hard? appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

I live in Bavaria now, a peaceful and picturesque region of southern Germany, steeped in charm and history. But not long ago, I made the journey north to Berlin—a city that bears the marks of its divided past with a sobering mix of scars and stories.

As a mystery and thriller author, I’m drawn to places that hold secrets just beneath the surface. So, during my recent visit, I stood at the remnants of the Berlin Wall and found myself asking a question that burrowed deep into my imagination:

Were there any escape tunnels built under the Berlin Wall?

Let me share what I discovered—and why it matters to me now more than ever.

The Wall That Divided a Nation

Erected almost overnight in August 1961, the Berlin Wall quickly became the symbol of Cold War oppression. It wasn’t just a concrete barrier; it was an elaborate death strip, complete with guard towers, attack dogs, searchlights, and armed patrols.

And yet—human ingenuity is persistent.

Yes, there were escape tunnels. Dozens of them.

Despite the staggering risks, East Berliners who longed for freedom dug beneath the wall. These tunnels became one of the most daring and dangerous escape methods attempted. They were cramped, dark, and suffocating—and for many, they were a passage to hope.

Historians have documented more than 70 tunnel escape attempts. Not all succeeded. Some were discovered mid-dig, others collapsed. But a few became legendary.

Tunnel 57: A Triumph of Will

One of the most famous was Tunnel 57, named for the 57 people who escaped through it in October 1964. A group of West Berlin students and activists engineered the 145-meter tunnel from a disused bakery basement to a building in East Berlin.

They worked in secret for months, using buckets to haul away dirt and devising clever ways to muffle the sound. When the escape began, it took nearly two days to bring all 57 people through.

Other tunnels bore similar tales of tension and triumph. Some were just wide enough to crawl through. Some flooded. Some ended in tragedy.

Each attempt reflected extraordinary courage.

My own journey into the underground

My visit to Berlin was more than just research—though it did serve that purpose beautifully.

The third novel in my Riley Forte Suspense Thriller series, Cincher’s Waltz, is set in Germany, and many of its scenes take place underground. I spent days exploring bunkers, tunnels, and subterranean sites throughout the country—from old World War II shelters to Cold War-era escape routes.

There is something profoundly humbling about being underground in those narrow spaces, lit only by flickering bulbs, knowing what those places once meant to people desperate for liberty. I walked through restored tunnels and studied the blueprints of those lost to time. Some were dug with spoons and tin cans. Others with more sophisticated tools, smuggled across the border by sympathizers.

Why we dig tunnels

On the surface, escape tunnels are feats of engineering. But more than that, they are metaphors for the human spirit.

When I write a thriller, I aim to take readers on a journey of suspense and revelation. A good tunnel story does the same. You enter the darkness, not knowing what lies ahead. You crawl forward, scraping your knees and bracing for danger. But you keep going—because something better might be waiting at the other end.

The people who dug under the Berlin Wall weren’t just escaping physical confines. They were tunneling through fear, propaganda, and loss. They were digging toward dignity.

Cincher’s Waltz and the Underground World

I channeled a lot of that spirit into Cincher’s Waltz. My protagonist, Riley Forte, a concert pianist turned reluctant operative, finds herself navigating secret tunnels beneath Germany in pursuit of answers—and survival.

The tunnels in the book aren’t just physical. They represent the emotional and psychological mazes Riley must traverse to confront her past and unravel a deadly conspiracy.

Writing these scenes was deeply informed by what I learned about Berlin’s underground history. Truth, as it turns out, really is stranger—and sometimes more inspiring—than fiction.

A Wall Comes Down, But Stories Remain

The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, but its stories are still unfolding. The escape tunnels, whether successful or not, remain a powerful testament to human resilience.

They remind me why I write thrillers.

Not just to entertain, but to illuminate the shadows. To explore what people will risk for freedom. To tunnel deeper into what it means to be human.

How about you? Have you ever visited Berlin or explored an underground place that sparked your imagination? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

The post Were There Any Escape Tunnels Built Under the Berlin Wall? appeared first on Joslyn Chase.

Have you ever noticed how the holidays stir something deeper than nostalgia?

There’s a tug—at once joyful and aching—for home. For belonging. For something lost and hoped for. And sometimes, it’s not a cheerful carol or a sugar cookie that brings that longing to light…but a mystery. A moment of suspense. A glimpse into the shadows.

That’s what led me to write Crimes Upon a Midnight Clear—a collection of suspenseful, twist-filled stories set at Christmastime. Each tale carries the crackle of danger under the glow of twinkling lights, revealing how even amid peril, the yearning to be home for Christmas still beats strong.

Off-duty Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy reading Crimes Upon a Midnight Clear

Because sometimes, the path to peace comes through peril.

And sometimes, a miracle arrives in disguise.

What’s Inside the Book?

In this holiday-themed collection, you’ll find:

A pickpocket whose final job tangles with destiny…

A Homeland Security agent racing to stop a Christmas town from being blown off the map…

A suspicious Santa who might not be what he seems…

Each story blends tension and tenderness, suspense and soul. I’ve set them in richly evocative places—from the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth to frost-rimmed forest hideaways—places that hold their own kind of magic and menace.

But what ties them all together is this: the universal desire to be safe, to be seen, to be home at Christmastime.

A Story Collection for the Season

If you love:

Clever twists that leave you guessing,

Mysteries with emotional depth,

Or stories where justice arrives gift-wrapped in the most surprising ways…

…I think you’ll find Crimes Upon a Midnight Clear just the kind of holiday reading to curl up with this winter.

I’m so delighted to finally share it with you. The book is available now, and I invite you to check it out and see which story stays with you the longest.

Maybe it’ll even spark a new tradition—a little Christmas suspense to go with your cider and snow.

How about you? Do you enjoy mysteries with a holiday twist? What’s your favorite winter read? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

The post Not Every Christmas Miracle Comes Wrapped in a Bow… appeared first on Joslyn Chase.