Writer-Centric POV: You’re writing a gritty crime scene that sets the tone for your thriller

Introduction

The streets are quiet—too quiet. A distant siren wails, but it's a sound you’ve learned to ignore. In the shadows, something darker stirs. The chalk outline on the pavement is just the beginning. The air smells like danger, thick with secrets and lies waiting to be uncovered. In this city, nothing is as it seems, and everyone has something to hide.

This is no ordinary crime scene; it's the heart of a mystery that will unravel lives and test loyalties. And as you dive into the gritty details, you need a soundtrack to match the pulse of your narrative—the raw intensity, the dark undercurrent of deception, and the uneasy quiet before the storm.

So hit play and let the music pull you deeper into the chaos. It's time to write a thriller that will keep your readers up all night.

And scroll down for writing tips!

The Set List

1. Intruxx

Glass Animals ZABA

2. In the House - In a Heartbeat

John Murphy In the House In a Heartbeat

3. Clint Eastwood

Gorillaz Gorillaz

4. No Church in the Wild

Kanye West & Jay Z (Ft. Frank Ocean)

5. Do I Wanna Know?

Arctic Monkeys AM

6. God's Gonna Cut You Down

Johnny Cash American V: A Hundred Highways

7. I Put a Spell On You

Screamin' Jay Hawkins At Home with Screamin' Jay Hawkins

8. Intro

The xx xx

9. Back To Black

Amy Winehouse Back To Black

10. Blood on the Leaves

Kanye West Yeezus

Tips for Setting the Tone in a Thriller

• Use Sensory Details: Focus on sounds like footsteps echoing or a distant siren. Add details of lighting like flickering streetlights or neon reflections in puddles. Don't forget those smells—stale cigarette smoke, metallic tang of blood.

• Build Suspense with Pacing: Short, clipped sentences increase the tension. Lengthen them for eerie, slow-burn moments.

• Lean into the Unknown: Keep readers guessing by withholding key details. Slowly reveal them for maximum impact.

• Dialogue that Drips with Tension: Use sharp, loaded conversations. Avoid excess words—every line should carry weight. Here's a quickly fumbled together example:

"You know why I'm here, Victor," Jane said.

Victor's eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. "Do I?"

"The body. The blood. The knife." Jane paused to lower her voice. "You weren't careful enough this time."

"I don't know what you're talking about." His voice was cooler than the shrug he offered.

Jane leaned forward to close the space between them. "You think I don't know when someone’s lying? Your fingerprints are all over that knife. Don't make me spell it out."

Victor's smirk barely covered the nervous flicker in his eyes. "Maybe you should spell it out then. Tell me what you think happened."

Jane smiled like a hyena. "I think you went to the warehouse last night. I think you thought you'd leave no trace. But you did. You left the blood... and you left her." And then, she whispered, "And I think you’re too arrogant to admit you’ve already lost."

Victor's eyes shifted to the door. "You're full of shit."

 "I’m full of facts," Jane said. "And you’re full of lies. So, what’s it gonna be, Victor? Confess, or make me pull it out of you piece by piece?"

• Set the Mood with Environment: Think of rain-slicked alleys, dimly lit bars, abandoned warehouses—choose settings that reinforce the gritty, dangerous world.

• Internal Conflict: Let your protagonist wrestle with moral dilemmas, fear, or uncertainty—it deepens tension and keeps readers engaged.

• Use Music as a Writing Aid: The right playlist can help maintain mood consistency while writing. I happen to know of a writer-centric playlist catered just for this!

Links to My Playlist Profiles

YouTube Music Profile  | Spotify Profile

Stay on your toes,

Katherine Arkady