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Howdunit Series
Howdunit: How Crimes Are Committed and Solved
This is the ultimate reference on the dark worlds of criminals and those who oppose them. Readers will learn how crimes are plotted, committed, investigated and solved.
404 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2022
This is a great sourcebook for mystery/thriller writers, discussing numerous elements of crime, investigation, and punishment.
The caveat is that it's a trifle dated (lots of references to diskettes and other now-obsolete technology -- but, it is worth noting, if one's story is set 20-25 years ago, the tech and info about it would be cutting-edge).
I think it'd an excellent jumping-off place, to be honest; not every mystery author has a background in law enforcement or judicial matters. So, definitely worth the read -- even if it takes a while to finish.
The caveat is that it's a trifle dated (lots of references to diskettes and other now-obsolete technology -- but, it is worth noting, if one's story is set 20-25 years ago, the tech and info about it would be cutting-edge).
I think it'd an excellent jumping-off place, to be honest; not every mystery author has a background in law enforcement or judicial matters. So, definitely worth the read -- even if it takes a while to finish.
August 6, 2011
A good collection of bits from the other Howdunit books and some new chapters.
It includes:
- Street Cops
- The American Criminal Justice System
- An Overview of Murder (from "Murder One")
- Mass Murders (from "Murder One")
- Serial Murders (from "Murder One")
- Bizarre Murders (from "Murder One")
- Controversies Involving Death (from "Cause of Death")
- How the Body Is Handled (from "Cause of Death")
- The Autopsy (from "Cause of Death")
- Larceny, Burlary, Robbery and Assault (from "Police Procedural")
- The Con (from "Rip-Off")
- Elements of the Con (from "Rip-Off")
- Crime Tools Guide
- Crime-Scene Search (from "Scene of the Crime")
- Interviews and Interrogations (from "Police Procedural")
- The Art of Forensic Psychology
- Profiling the Criminal (from "Malicious Intent")
- Street Gangs
- Hate Crimes and Hate Groups
- Terrorists (from "Malicous Intent")
- Vice Enforcement: Gambling and Liquor Investigations
- Prostitution (from "Modus Operandi")
- Sexual Predators (from "Malicious Intent")
- Child Molesters and Child Murderers (from "Malicious Intent")
- Drug Enforcement
- Surveillance: Part I
- Surveillance: Part II (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
- Tailing (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
- Information Sources (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
It can take the place of several books and is a quick reference. It's the only Howdunit book that I actually own and it has most of what I would I have bought some of the other books for.
It includes:
- Street Cops
- The American Criminal Justice System
- An Overview of Murder (from "Murder One")
- Mass Murders (from "Murder One")
- Serial Murders (from "Murder One")
- Bizarre Murders (from "Murder One")
- Controversies Involving Death (from "Cause of Death")
- How the Body Is Handled (from "Cause of Death")
- The Autopsy (from "Cause of Death")
- Larceny, Burlary, Robbery and Assault (from "Police Procedural")
- The Con (from "Rip-Off")
- Elements of the Con (from "Rip-Off")
- Crime Tools Guide
- Crime-Scene Search (from "Scene of the Crime")
- Interviews and Interrogations (from "Police Procedural")
- The Art of Forensic Psychology
- Profiling the Criminal (from "Malicious Intent")
- Street Gangs
- Hate Crimes and Hate Groups
- Terrorists (from "Malicous Intent")
- Vice Enforcement: Gambling and Liquor Investigations
- Prostitution (from "Modus Operandi")
- Sexual Predators (from "Malicious Intent")
- Child Molesters and Child Murderers (from "Malicious Intent")
- Drug Enforcement
- Surveillance: Part I
- Surveillance: Part II (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
- Tailing (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
- Information Sources (from "Just the Facts, Ma'am")
It can take the place of several books and is a quick reference. It's the only Howdunit book that I actually own and it has most of what I would I have bought some of the other books for.
March 23, 2016
Each chapter is written by a different author, many culled from other books. Full of details about how investigations are conducted, interviewing vs. interrogating, bizarre murders, etc., giving you plenty to draw from for your own work.
September 24, 2007
There's not much to say about this book except that it is exactly what its title says it is. Howdunit: How Crimes are Committed and Solved is a wonderful reference book for anyone who has ever wanted to write about crime or ever just been curious. It explains all types of crimes from cons and scams to murders and serial killings then summarizes what a writer might need to know, and why it needs to be known. A wonderfully odd, usable reference tool for writers.
NC
NC
February 17, 2009
Some fascinating information in here—like the fact that 25% of all reported sexual assaults in which the victim is male occurred after the subject picked up his attacker as a hitch-hiker. Isn't that interesting? Note to all male readers: Steer clear of hitch-hikers.
April 25, 2008
This is the ultimate reference book for all writers that has abridged sections from almost all books from the Howdunit series into separate chapters. A must have for all writers!
April 23, 2008
This is the ultimate reference book for all writers that has abridged sections from almost all books from the Howdunit series into separate chapters. A must have for all writers!
March 7, 2009
OK so this wasn't what I thought it was... it's more of an instructional type thing for writers but some of the chapters are interesting. I'll read this from time to time when I'm in between others.
June 4, 2014
great source for writers!
October 9, 2014
One of those books that should be on the shelf of any mystery, true crime, and suspense writer. The detail and explanations are easy to follow and thorough. Complete with pictures.
December 20, 2015
A "you don't know what you don't know" book.
February 12, 2017
Excellent reference
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews