Modus Operandi: A Writer's Guide to How Criminals Work

Howdunit Series

by Mauro V. Corvasce

Writers will see how to create cunning criminals who still leave clues protagonists can follow. The authors explain how law-breakers perform the dirty deeds of murder--from contract killers to seemingly ordinary people--armed robbery, arson, smuggling, white collar crime, prostitution, and more.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction, Research

Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[G.R.S. Hjelm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, albeit dated. There are some parts that need updating for sure, since cyber crime wasn't quite as common back then as it is now. BUT if you're writing something centered on this period this is a good book to have on hand.
However the Kindle formatting is horrendous. Paragraphs get broken up with text that possibly belonged in a sidebar; a random word changes in size and font; and the flow is shattered by broken words with the later half making up a whole line. It's distracting, but I did push on because I really wanted to finish this book.

[Adam Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Twas an interesting read, if not a little bit scattered and I suspect, outdated. I am not convinced of its benefit in helping an aspiring writer to be able to understand how criminals work, which is, of course, the purpose, and title, of the book. But like the other books in this series, it did give some insight into matters a writer might face in the course of writing a book which features crime and criminals. I think I am done with this series for now though, I'm not sure there is a great deal left to be learned from them.

[Weldon Burge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive and excellent for any crime writer.

[Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource and a fascinating read on its own.

[Thalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this manual gives you examples to put the suggestions supplied to solve their case file ( included )

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, informative book that is a valuable asset to any writer's research book collection.

[T.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, terrible formatting.

A great book, full of interesting and entertaining work, that is unfortunately marred by some terrible formatting issues. Font changes, broken text, pages replicated in facsimile, odd line breaks and gaps in words.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful tool for aspiring write of detective stories and mysteries. Describes criminal methods of operation.

[T.M. Carper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful, easy to read, and insightful about how each different type of criminal works.

[Angie Lisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful starting place for the research of mystery writers.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative