Writing the Mystery: A Start to Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional
In this breezy but well-written manual, Hayden, an author of  mysteries (By Reason of Insanity), sf, and essays on writing,  offers advice on how to write a mystery that sells in today's  saturated market. She starts with a rundown of the genre and  then goes on to explore outlines, openings, chapter length,  climaxes, and plot devices most often used in mysteries. Then  she discusses character development, dialog, and setting. A  section is devoted to violence in the genre, and a brief chapter  on writing short-story mysteries is included. The rest of the  how-to section is devoted to general writing advice and  submission guidelines. Hayden concludes with short, informative  interviews with such well-known mystery writers as Elmore  Leonard, Laura Lippman, and Rick Riordan. This fun,  exercise-laden manual is recommended where writing books are  popular. Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WICopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.