Dark Romance vs Romantic Suspense
Dark romance is often mislabeled as romantic suspense, but anybody aware of it knows those two genres aren’t anything alike. Where romantic suspense is the intersection between romance and crime, dark romance is the intersection between romance and horror.
That might have sent you into excited giggles or thoroughly confused you. After all, what does that even mean? The best way to understand the differences between these two genres is by looking at them side by side.
Differences Between Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance
There must be a mystery or a crime to solve in romantic suspense. That is not true in dark romance. Dark romances aren’t about solving crime. While crime is often within dark romance, the plot doesn't revolve around solving it or exposing criminals.
There are equal amounts of romance and suspense in romantic suspense. There is not an equal amount of horror and romance in a dark romance. That is what creates the spectrum of dark romance. Some stories have more romance than horror, and others have more horror than romance.
The protagonist and love interest are solving a crime together. Dark romance doesn't explore solving crimes and, therefore, doesn’t need the lovers to solve one together.
What romantic suspense and dark romance have in common
They’re both romances. Therefore, the development of relationships is a big focus.
The mystery is not separate from the romance. While dark romance doesn’t explore mystery, the horror elements aren’t a separate storyline from the romance. Both genres have it in common that the writer must learn to string two opposing elements together to create a whole.
Both will have crime in them from one extent to another, but the function of it is different. In romantic suspense, the purpose is to solve the crime. In a dark romance, the crime is there to further the relationship or the horror of it all.
Let’s look at some examples.
Romantic Suspense Novels
This is about a lawyer and a homicide detective taking on a mysterious homicide together.
This is about two fire jumpers solving a murder together.
This is about Annie finding half a million dollars and keeping it, only for the thief to return looking for it.
Dark Romance Novels
This book is about dominance and submission as two characters ascend the latter in a secret society.
This is a love story between two serial killers.
This is about an arranged marriage between a mafia boss and a woman forced to marry him due to her family’s debt.
Understanding the difference matters so you can market your novel correctly and write a better story. Romantic suspense has conventions and expectations associated with it that dark romance doesn’t. What it takes to satisfy romantic suspense readers differs from that of dark romance readers. Their needs are different, and the type of experience they want is different.
So, what genre are you writing in? It’s time to commit to one. If it’s dark romance, then welcome to the community! If you’re still unsure, check out my other articles or contact a dark romance editor for a professional opinion.
