I'm burnt out on Serial Killers Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Seriously, I've read so many books lately, some of them by great writers, but I'm a wee-bit tired of the whole 'serial killer' angle. I read two Kay Hooper and an Iris Johanssen back to back, and although I love both writers, the storylines--a serial killer on the rampage, mentally linked to a psychic who will use her powers to track him down--well, they got a little tired.

And I know there is a lot more romantic suspense out there.

I know there's forensic-rom-susp: Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs kind of have that market cornered, I think. (Kathy Reichs is most-famous now for the TV show "Bones" which is based off her character Temperance Brennan, who is modelled after Reichs herself)

There's action? rom-susp: Suzanne Brockamann is the best example of this: explosions, gunfire, and sparks fly.

There's paranormal rom-susp: Iris Johansenn, Kay Hooper, and I'm thinking Laurell K. Hamilton's books might count, as could Gena Showalter's 'Enslave me Sweetly'.

This made me realise there are sub-genres I've never heard of, let alone read. And even within these sub-genres (as loosely 'defined' as I have them) there are probably some great authors I've never read.

So my question for you, dear readers, is what is the elusive quality that makes it all Romantic Suspense? What other sub-sub-genres are there? And what authors should I be reading who haven't made it on this list?