Four Clean Thriller Myths Every Reader Needs to Know
Four Clean Thriller Myths Every Reader Needs to Know
If you think enjoying a thriller means you have to read books full of explicit sex scenes, f-bombs, and graphic violence, then I’ve got news for you: that advice is steering you in the wrong direction. In today’s post, I’m going to show you the TRUTH about clean thrillers. Not only will I reveal the four most common clean thriller myths on the planet, but I’ll show you everything you need to know to help you find books you love to read in the thriller/suspense genre without redacting words or scenes.
Myth #1: Clean Thrillers Lack Suspense
I used to think that reading a thriller/suspense book meant I had to have a sharpie handy to redact the swear words. In fact, I did just that when my kids were younger so they could read the book they wanted. It was the Mom Thing to do, like a safety shield, protecting young readers by redacting curse words and scenes, ensuring they could enjoy the book safely.
At least we all thought it worked, and to some extent, it did. That’s why this approach to creating safe literature (at least in my homeschooling circles) became so popular.
However, taking a sharpie to a novel isn’t as effective as it used to be.
The main reason?
The books today are more explicit, with more open-door scenes, graphic violence, curse words, and adult figures disappearing into the woodwork. Often, the adults in the story who could help the main character (protagonist) are doing all the above (which is okay if they are the antagonist), but you don’t have to resort to writing this way to create suspense.
Many people believe that without explicit content, a thriller can’t be as suspenseful or engaging. However, clean thrillers often rely on clever plotting, psychological tension, and strong character development to create intense, edge-of-your-seat moments without resorting to graphic violence or explicit scenes.
What to do instead:
To find clean thrillers, you’re going to have to define what clean means for you and your family. Decide what is acceptable and what is not. I give more pointers on this in this ARTICLE. You can’t just pick up or download the latest bestseller or trust that the nice lady at the bookstore who helped you have the same criteria for books you do. Trust me, I have a stack of recommended reads in my bedroom that I wouldn’t read myself because of my criteria.
Myth #2: Clean Thrillers Are Only for a Younger Audience
Trying to find clean thrillers for adults is challenging, but not impossible. Honestly, I stopped reading adult thrillers for a season. Every book someone recommended to me ended up being full of graphic scenes or expletives. And then I started reading tween and YA books instead, and yes, I found some great ones. You can grab a short list of my family’s favorite reads (all genres) HERE.
Another myth is that clean thrillers are meant solely for young readers or are akin to young adult fiction. In reality, clean thrillers can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. They can address complex, mature themes in a way that is accessible and appropriate for a wide audience.
And if that’s not enough, here are three other reasons reading only YA Thrillers won’t work:
- YA Thrillers don’t always fit my family’s definition of clean. They are becoming increasingly full of expletives, graphic violence, mature themes, and open-door sex scenes.
- Adults like to read adult books with mature themes and higher reading levels (i.e., bigger words, more complex concepts, current cultural themes like human trafficking).
- Adults like to read thriller/suspense with adult main characters.
Myth #3: Clean Thrillers Are Simplistic
One of the most persistent myths about clean thriller/suspense is the idea that clean thrillers are too simplistic. As if you don’t throw a few F-bombs in, you’re not packing any punch. So not true! Clean thriller/suspense can pack a punch simply by telling and showing a suspenseful event.
Clean thrillers are effective at plot twists and turns, cliffhangers, and keeping the reader guessing and staying up all night to finish the book.
Consider this line from The Girl Who Was Haunted when Adelina sneaks to the basement to talk to the human trafficker she shot and captured:
“You realize I could kill you anytime I want,” I retorted, not breaking eye contact.
He leaned back on his pillow, his good hand resting behind his head as he smirked. “Did you have conversations with my brother like this?”
“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady, “and they usually ended with him saying he was going to kill me. So you’re a lot alike in that way, if that helps.”
There’s a misconception that clean thrillers are simplistic or lack depth. In fact, these novels often have intricate plots, well-developed characters, and explore profound themes and moral dilemmas. The lack of explicit content does not equate to a lack of sophistication or complexity in storytelling.
Myth #4: Clean Thrillers Can’t Address Cultural Themes
The truth? Clean thrillers can address cultural themes. I’m going to share a series of my books below, including the theme of human trafficking.
- Implied Rather than Explicit Content: In The Girl Who Was Trafficked, Adelina’s investigation into her friend Daria’s disappearance uncovers a dark secret involving human trafficking. The novel avoids explicit depictions of violence or exploitation, instead implying the severity through the tense atmosphere and Adelina’s emotional journey. By focusing on the clues and the impact on the characters, the story maintains its intensity while staying within the boundaries of a clean thriller.
- Emphasizing Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Girl Who Was Targeted delves into Adelina’s struggle with anxiety and the psychological impact of being hunted by a human trafficker from her past. The emotional and psychological scars are portrayed through Adelina’s coping mechanisms and her interactions with her new family. This approach conveys the gravity of the trauma without graphic descriptions, emphasizing the character’s resilience and the emotional toll of her experiences.
- Focus on Resilience and Justice: Adelina’s journey in The Girl Who Was Blacklisted illustrates her determination to fight against human trafficking despite being blacklisted by her own team. The novel highlights her resilience and commitment to justice as she takes on the trafficker/pedophile on her own. This focus on the protagonist’s courage and moral integrity underscores the serious theme while providing a hopeful and empowering narrative.
- Educational Elements: The Adelina Thriller Series, particularly in The Girl Who Was Hunted, incorporates educational elements about human trafficking. Adelina’s encounters with trafficked children and her efforts to dismantle a familial trafficking ring raise awareness about the methods traffickers use and the challenges faced by victims. By educating readers within the context of a gripping thriller, the series informs and engages without resorting to explicit content.
- Character-Driven Narratives: Adelina’s character development throughout the series adds depth to the exploration of human trafficking. In The Girl Who Was Haunted, her past as a trafficked orphan and her commitment to saving other orphans from a new trafficking threat are central to the narrative. Adelina’s personal connection to the issue and her evolving relationships with other characters create a rich, character-driven story that tackles heavy themes with sensitivity and depth.
- Tackling Severe Neglect and Identity Issues: In The Girl Who Didn’t Exist, the theme of severe neglect and the search for identity are poignantly portrayed. The story of a girl kept in a closet for most of her life, only to be rescued and face new challenges in an orphanage, adds another layer to the series’ exploration of cultural and social issues. Adelina’s risky actions to survive and avoid ending up in the same institution as her mother highlight the resilience and determination needed to overcome deep psychological wounds. This narrative addresses the trauma of neglect and the struggle for identity and belonging in a clean, sensitive manner.
Check out the Adelina Thriller Series
By integrating these techniques, the Adelina Thriller Series demonstrates how clean thrillers can effectively address serious cultural issues like human trafficking and severe neglect. The series maintains suspense and emotional engagement while providing a thoughtful, responsible approach to depicting such complex and critical themes.
Grab a free book!
A girl with no name.
No birth record.
She’s the girl who doesn’t exist.
Wrapping it Up
There you have it: Four Clean Thriller myths.
I hope this post has helped you steer clear of misleading information so you can find the clean thrillers that keep you up reading at night.
Clean thrillers, which avoid graphic violence, explicit content, and profanity, have become increasingly popular as they cater to a broad audience, including young readers and those preferring wholesome storytelling. These novels often balance suspense and moral integrity, providing readers with gripping stories that promote values like redemption and personal growth.
In terms of cultural themes, crime and thriller genres have long been a lens through which societal anxieties and cultural issues are explored. Thrillers can reflect cultural fears, social issues, and moral dilemmas, offering insights into the time and place they were written. For example, Scandinavian thrillers often delve into societal critiques, addressing broader social issues beyond the crime itself.
Now, over to you. Which of these myths did you find most surprising?
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