ABSTRACT
Considerable portions of media entertainment, consisting of tragedy, horror, suspense, and mystery, concentrate on the negative side of human existence. Conflict and menace are at the very heart of drama (Marx, 1940; Vorderer & Knobloch, 2000). Tragedy, however, tends to appeal more to women and horror to men. In contrast, suspense and mystery widely fascinate the general audience, with very few exceptions. In innumerous novels and movies, protagonists struggle against upcoming threats, and sleuths investigate to solve criminal riddles. Suspense and mystery as genres attain with regularity substantial interest and provide undoubtedly well-established recipes to entertain readers and viewers over and over again.
