We’ve spent the last few years on the edge of our seats, wondering what will be thrown at us next. Suspense, a form of uncertainty, should be something uncomfortable – now more than ever – and yet YA readers continue to crave it. What is the allure? Is there something cathartic about experiencing high levels of suspense in fiction? Masters of the thriller genre, Tristan Bancks (Cop & Robber), Mette Jakobsen (The Snow Laundry), and Ellie Marney (The Killing Code) discuss the appeal of the dark and foreboding stories they weave.
Ellie Marney (Australian)
Ellie Marney is The New York Times bestselling author of YA thrillers, including The Killing Code, None Shall Sleep, and the sequel Some Shall Break. She was involved in the creation of the #LoveOzYA campaign and runs #LoveOzYAbookclub online. Ellie has spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, interviewing law enforcement officers and autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items — now she lives quite sedately in regional Victoria with her family.
Tristan Bancks (Australian)
Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber and his latest, Scar Town, a nailbiting thriller for age 10+. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards and Tristan is an author-advocate for literacy non-profit Room to Read. He is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the screen. Find out more at tristanbancks.com.
Mette Jakobsen (Australian)
Originally from Denmark, Mette Jakobsen now resides in Sydney. She is an adventurer, author and playwright. Mette has a PhD in Creative Writing and has graduated from NIDA's Playwright Studio. Her novels have been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize, topped the Indie Book List, and been mentioned on Oprah's Booklist. Mette has taught creative writing at universities and several of her plays have been broadcast on ABC Radio National. The Tower Series is her first YA series.
