In a suspense novel, the beginning and the end are vital to get right. The opening line and first chapter should be intriguing and interesting, without giving much information away. You want to create doubt and uncertainty and have the reader asking questions and eager to learn more. The end should include a surprising, unpredictable twist which leaves the reader completely astonished with the final result.
A fascinating villain and hero are essential characters in a suspense novel. For the villain, or antagonist, the reader should understand his character and what his motives and the reasons behind his motives, are. He should be a believable, terrifying character who is smart and a worthy opponent of the hero. The hero, or protagonist, should also be a believable character. She needs to be someone with whom the reader can empathize, in order to create greater suspense when she is in danger.
Dilemmas and complications are necessary to create a thrilling suspense story. The hero should be forced to face many problems by the villain, often moral dilemmas, and be constantly on the verge of losing control. You can create further tension by applying pressure to the dilemma, such as high stakes at risk and time constraints.
As the author of a suspense novel you want the reader to feel as if he is waiting for something terrible to happen that he is powerless to stop, which you can achieve by using a wide viewpoint. This technique gives the reader foresight, increases emotional attachment to the hero and creates a huge amount of tension. Explore the minds of both the hero of the villain and make sure that the reader is always kept one step ahead of the hero so to anticipate the perils before they occur.