Looking for examples of this trope: low key but doggedly determined cop in a small/medium sized town. Personal problems. A close-knit community. A series of murders that ultimately point to a much bigger story than anyone expected. His personal life unravels and ravels as he investigates, treading on eggshells as he goes. Emphasis much less on the procedural aspects than the emotional. Genre thriller as opposed to mystery (ie the cop protagonist is in personal jeopardy). [more inside]
posted by unSane on Oct 4, 2010 - 50 answers

What are some films similar in atmosphere to Polanski's The Ghost Writer (The Ghost) [more inside]
posted by fire&wings on Sep 16, 2010 - 8 answers

Movie ID: Help me remember a movie I saw on a plane in the 1980's. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Aug 4, 2010 - 6 answers

What are some great mystery/thriller novels focused on investigation? [more inside]
posted by fryman on Jul 23, 2010 - 18 answers

Books that mess with your head [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 on Jun 24, 2010 - 74 answers

Please recommend mystery/thriller novels with incredibly complex plots. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Jun 4, 2010 - 39 answers

What are the classics of genre fiction? What are the best thrillers, mysteries, westerns, horror, romances, etc? [more inside]
posted by TheophileEscargot on Apr 3, 2008 - 27 answers

What's the most exciting novel you've ever read? I mean this in the simplest sense: an exciting plot. I'm looking for page-turners. Novels that keep you on the edge of your seat and refuse to let you sleep until you finish them. I'm looking for genre novels -- but I don't care what genres: Mystery, thriller, sci-fi, etc. (though sci-fi/fantasy has been done-to-death here, so I'm really more interested in other genres.) Oh, I care about words. So no matter how exciting, I'll quit reading if the prose is crappy. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on May 25, 2006 - 148 answers