Whats the difference between Mystery/Crime and Thrillers?

[Triptych]

I just noticed that there are two categories with Mystery/Crime in one and Thriller/Suspense in the other. What's the difference between the two?

[Terry T.A. Rodgers]

[Triptych]

[MrBrooks]

I think that's a very mature view on Crime fiction. I have been learning a little about labelling theory. Crime fiction only needs to center on the problem of criminal activities. I talk to this with my girlfriend as she's studying Criminology. I'd like to know how crime is conceived by other writers.

[Terry T.A. Rodgers]

Most crime novels today fall under thriller (i.e. Karin Slaughter, Patricia Cornwell, or John Sanford). Other crime novels from an author like David Putnam are procedural novels and focus on everything it takes to solve the crime but doesn't necessarily have the suspense of a thriller.

Researching crimes can be tedious and boring. Novels and TV shows make it appear a lot more fun than it actually is. I have a good relationship with someone from my state's OCME. He runs the field and lab areas. You can see his passion but you can also see how long a crime takes to solve. Testing can take weeks, even months.