Novels, films and TV shows celebrated them as monsters and exploited their potential to spark simple suspense plots.

So at least the winding suspense plot of "The Juror" offers a few unanticipated twists along the way.

The book has two nominal suspense plots.

The texture of "Contract Killer" is more effective than its playful suspense plot, a homage to old B movies.

Because the suspense plot is treated as just one more element in a busy life, it enlivens rather than dominating the narrative.

Unfortunately, the suspense plot itself suffers by seeming toned down.

Aside from the main outline of the suspense plot, there are countless other characters and subplots.

But the film gets so sidetracked by its computer tricks that it neglects to fill in some very basic elements of its suspense plot.

Instead of exploring that, though, the film's parody gives way to a suspense plot when the roommates are taken hostage by a lunatic rejected for the series.

He said that of late, good settings for suspense plots had been harder to find.