I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "

  • SirHenryofHoover@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Trope: ‘Always the one we didn’t suspect.’ (Thrillers/Crime/Mystery)

    I’ve read quite a few crime and thriller novels this year, and I absolutely hate the way of going back and forth between three or so suspects and then most last minute twists always end up with “oh it was the protagonist’s father” who was the killer. It’s always someone close to them, and who aren’t actively involved in the story until the end. Then BAM! You didn’t see that coming, did you?

    Can we please start playing it more straight, having it make sense? It’s so unbelievably stupid to have these last chapter twists all the time, turning pretty decent plots into cheap shock value only. And after reading a few books you know what to look for.

    I love twists, but it’s formulaic as hell most of the time even when the stories were great up until that last twist they just had to put in there.