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Feature of thrillers from American writers in the Florida area? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

suspense

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'feature of thrillers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'american writers in the florida area?' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'US' (United States).
'writers' becomes 'pens' (writing implements).
'in the' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'florida area?' becomes 'se' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'us'+'pens'='uspens'
'uspens' placed into 'se' is 'SUSPENSE'.

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for suspense that I've seen before include "Tense expectation" , "State of anxious uncertainty while waiting (8)" , "Tense uncertainty" , "Uncertain state" , "State of anxious excitement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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