To be honest, I’m not sure I know the answer.
Although, I’ve been reading and researching both genres for months.
My favorite movies and books are mystery/suspense. I’m writing (I hope) what will turn out to be a suspense novel. Once I re-read the following article compliments of Dan Alatorre and his guest blogger, Allison Maruska I may decide it’s a mystery. Stay tuned.
What did I pick up from Allison’s post?
In fiction, as in life, timing is everything. 
Solve a mystery.
Stop the suspense.
These two genres fold into other genres such as romance and Sci-fi. There is always something to stop or something to solve. 
Now your turn. Click and read how Allison Maruska explains the Suspense & Mystery genre.
Suspense vs Mystery: What’s The Difference? A guest blog post by Allison Maruska
What did you think?
Did you already know the difference?
Do you agree with her analogy?
Talk to me, I love reading your comments.
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Jean's Writing 
Thank you Jean!! This was a difficult question!!!
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I’ve had trouble with this one too. Loved the chart.
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this discussion on the difference between Suspense and Mystery from Jean’s Writing blog.
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Oh, the genres I have a problem distinguishing are paranormal and fantasy. I’ve seen those two cross over or books classified as both. Vampires and Werecreatures, I thought as supernatural and therefore paranormal but many books with those characters are classified as Fantasy. Books with witches, how are they classified? I think I’ve seen them as both genres. I have a witch series planned for the future, so I’m curious.
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That’s a terrific question. People? How about an answer for Kim.
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Interesting. I’ve been writing paranormal mysteries and romantic suspense for a few years. My favorite books are mysteries. I always thought of mystery and suspense as so closely related that could be used as the same. I read Dan’s blog with Allison’s explanation and I’ve actually been doing it correctly. In my paranormal mysteries, a psychic investigator helps ghosts move on and solves crimes with the help of spirits. So yes the crime/murder/kidnapping or whatever happens before the story begins. My romantic suspense books are preventing a crime from happening so I’ve gotten that one right too. In my third romantic suspense, one crime has already happened and the hero is blamed for it, but there are more crimes being prevented at the same time. I do have a romantic suspense on the back burner where the murder (first thought to be an accident) happened before the book begins, so I’ll have to reclassify that one as a romantic mystery or just a mystery. 😀 Not sure how much romance will be in it yet.
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Wow! You do have a handle on it!
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Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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