The thriller genre is one of the most popular and enduring genres of literature, with a rich history and a wide range of subgenres that continue to captivate readers to this day. The thriller literary canon includes a varied selection of works, from classic novels by writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Agatha Christie, to modern bestsellers by authors like Dan Brown and James Patterson.

One of the defining characteristics of the thriller genre is its ability to create tension and suspense, often through a series of plot twists and unexpected revelations. The thriller typically features a protagonist who is faced with a series of dangerous or life-threatening situations, often involving criminal conspiracies or espionage. The stakes are high, and the tension builds steadily as the protagonist races against time to uncover the truth and solve the mystery before it’s too late and more damage is done.

One of the most important works in the thriller literary canon is “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe. Published in 1841, this short story is widely regarded as the first detective story in the English language, and it introduced many of the key elements of the thriller genre, including the use of forensic evidence and the creation of a complex puzzle for the reader to solve.