Moral choices can be just as gripping as physical danger. Chris Berg and Paul James Smith examine how ethical dilemmas deepen crime fiction by forcing characters to confront consequence and conscience. This session focuses on using moral conflict to heighten tension, complicate character decisions, and give stories lasting emotional weight.
When Love Raises the Stakes: Blending Romance Into Suspense
Annie Solomon, Bente Gallagher, Karen Gallahue, and Laura Elvebak explore how romance heightens suspense rather than softening it. They discuss building believable emotional connections while raising danger and stakes, and how love stories deepen reader investment in...
