The literary thriller is a popular subgenre that uses tropes from the mystery genre to create a story of suspense, intrigue, and ultimate resolution. The thriller genre has long been popular, with texts as ancient as The Odyssey exploring the nuances of human emotions and actions in precarious situations.

Thrillers rely on what is called the “Three Cs”: the contract, the clock, and the crucible. The contract is an author’s implicit promise to the reader that all mysteries will be revealed in time. Withholding certain facts from the reader is an important trope in thriller fiction as it enhances the drama and tension of the novel. The reader discovers elements of suspense as the plot unfolds, maintaining engagement and anticipation. Importantly, anything that a thriller novel’s plot brings up must be resolved. In The Family Game, Robert’s tape-recording is an essential tool in developing the contract. As Robert reveals more insidious secrets about the Holbeck family, Harriet starts piecing together mysteries one by one, and each of these mysteries is resolved by the end of the novel. This provides a parallel structure to the narrative and satisfies the reader’s suspense.