Do you have an idea for a gripping crime novel? Would you like to know how to plot your book flawlessly? Do you want to create beautifully crafted characters and nail biting twists? This book is designed for anyone who wants to write an unputdownable crime novel. Whatever your subgenre, whether Scandi-crime or detective 'cosies', this book is full of inspirational advice, acute insights and practical exercises. The first part of the book establishes the rules of writing crime fiction - from convincing characters to the role of research. The book then covers the practical craft of writing and editing, before explaining in detail how to secure a contract and/or self-publish your work. A comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to be the next Val McDermid or Ian Rankin.
This is a great book for beginners. I got it from the public library for an assignment from one of my classes. It gives some good techniques for beginners. Definitely recommend.
The author has "the runs on the board", with her Libertus mosaic-maker series set in Roman Britain, to give advice. Lots of good tips about the mechanics of mystery-writing such as hiding clues, but still hard to pull it all together into a coherent mystery novel that is believable.