In the world of cinema, most folks have heard the term “popcorn movie”. We associate popcorn with watching a movie, and movies as one of the ultimate sources of entertainment. The term popcorn movie is often used to describe a film that provides ample entertainment without overly expanding on its plot or character development. Save that for the protracted Oscar nominees, am I right?
But did you know that this term is no longer only reserved for the movie-going masses? In recent years, the literary world has adopted the term “popcorn thrillers”. What does this spunky subgenre bring to readers, and why has it spiked in popularity in recent years? It’s time to dive into the world of popcorn thrillers.
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What Is A Popcorn Thriller?
Popcorn thrillers are a term used to describe fast-paced, entertaining thriller novels that can often be read in one sitting. These stories are generally on the lighter side in terms of plot, but contain a number of twists and turns along with the mystery in order to keep the reader guessing. Think of a cross between a cozy mystery and a psychological thriller and you’ll be in the right wheelhouse.
Oftentimes the surprises or twists in these books can seem a little over the top, which adds to the campy, fun element of them. They won’t be excessively long, and when well executed, they’ll deliver a thrilling romp that can easily draw the reader in so that the book is consumed in 1 to 2 sittings.
Obviously, certain elements can vary from one popcorn thriller to another, but in essence, this subgenre offers readers a level of entertainment that’s normally achieved by watching an action film in a theater or a soapy thriller on Netflix.
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People may have differing opinions about what sorts of novels constitute a popcorn thriller, but overall I’d say if you can lose yourself while reading it on the beach in one afternoon you’re in the right place. You won’t find deeper, more psychological books like Gone Girl or The Silent Patient in this category, as their subject matter takes itself a little too seriously to qualify.
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Some great examples of popcorn thrillers include:
- Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson: this one certainly grabs your attention based on its title alone. The novel follows a family of murderers getting snowed in at an isolated resort during a family reunion. Naturally, chaos – and murder – ensues.
- Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins: Hawkins is no stranger to the popcorn thriller, and Reckless Girls is no exception. Looking to escape her life, Lux joins her boyfriend Nico on a job sailing two women to a remote island in the South Pacific. Of course, not all is as it seems with their clients, and Lux soon realizes that her ticket out of her current life may be a one-way trip into a different sort of nightmare.
- The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand: Recently adapted into a popular miniseries on Netflix with tons of entertainment value, the third book in Hilderbrand’s Nantucket series sees the discovery of a body on the beach hours before a lavish wedding is set to take place on the island. Soon everyone is a suspect, including the bride, the groom, and all of their guests…
Escape For An Afternoon
The increase in popularity of popcorn thrillers proves that sometimes readers are searching for as much entertainment value in their books as well as their movies. We want to be able to pick up a story full of unexpected twists and over-the-top characters that can be used as a form of escapism from our daily routines.
Authors like Freida McFadden, Ruth Ware, and Jeneva Rose prove that these types of novels can easily become bestsellers, and fans will always be hungry for more. Their novels consistently wind up on bestseller lists, with each new release providing consistent enjoyment for their audience.
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These books prove that sometimes we’re searching for simple entertainment value from our bookshelves. Whether you’re searching for a captivating book to bring to throw into your suitcase before a trip, or a fast-paced fluffy read to help you out of a slump, popcorn thrillers deliver on all fronts.
