| 1. |  | Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama
from Vintage
Price: $8.80
Customer Review:
I read this book every year, and every year I take something new from it. There's SO much in this short book. It's FILLED with truth about life, art, and life & art. | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 2. |  | How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide from Inspiration to Finished Manuscript
from St. Martin's Press
Price: $16.29
Customer Review:
This is a good basic guide to writing a mystery from inspiration to book signings. The instructional side of things is enlivened by showing a mystery novel in the making--"Murder in Montana"--which puts an interesting spin on the process. Frey has a nice, easy style and uses humor to good effect.... more info | 4.0 / 5.0
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| 3. |  | Writing Mysteries
from Writers Digest Books
Price: $11.55
Customer Review:
I used this book as a way to refresh my perspective on a mystery novel after finishing a second draft. I highlighted perhaps a dozen relevant/useful passages in the entire 300-page book. There are a handful of interesting ideas, but the biggest challenge I encountered is that the quality of the... more info | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 4. |  | Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life
from Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Customer Review:
As a writer, I appreciate any advice from a known author. I've spoken to Elizabeth George at a reading in Manchester, Vermont and she gave me good feedback on my writing. I loved reading about place and interior landscape of characters and how important that was before the plot and story line. | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 5. |  | The Crime Writer's Reference Guide: 1001 Tips for Writing the Perfect Murder
from Michael Wiese Productions
Price: $14.25
Customer Review:
I purchased this book with some doubt. I wasn't sure if it was going to be what I was looking for as an aspiring horror & mystery writer. I have to say, I only read half way through this book so far; it's fantastic! Packed with information that any writer should know. This book covers everything... more info | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 6. |  | Forensics and Fiction: Clever, Intriguing, and Downright Odd Questions from Crime Writers
from St. Martin's Minotaur
Price: $16.29
Customer Review:
Very interesting book. I enjoyed it, but it was more technical than I expected. Lots of great, gruesome questions. | 5.0 / 5.0
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| 7. |  | Time to Be in Earnest: A Fragment of Autobiography
from Ballantine Books
Price: $11.16
Customer Review:
Samuel Johnson famously said that 'at 77 it is time to be in earnest' and P.D. James is. She has not been a diarist but for this book she forced herself to become one. The book consists of a year's worth of diary with flashbacks and memories of the past. Structuring an autobiography is far more... more info | 4.0 / 5.0
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| 8. |  | You Can Write a Mystery (You Can Write)
from Writers Digest Books
Price: $10.39
Customer Review:
This book is very well written. I really enjoyed reading this, and the information in the end of this book is priceless!!! Gillian Roberts did an excellent job, and she keeps it simple. I would highly recommend this book for any aspiring writer. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Robert's work.... more info | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 9. |  | The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery
from Dell
Price: $10.20
Customer Review:
This seems to be a very well conceived and helpful book. It has a detailed plan for taking one from a blank page to a finished novel in a year's time. I haven't read through the whole book yet. NOR have I worked through many exercises yet, but found the first several exercises very helpful. Already... more info | 4.5 / 5.0
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| 10. |  | Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction
from St. Martin's Griffin
Price: $11.16
Customer Review:
I found this book enjoyable to read, but not very useful as a practical guide. Written almost like an interview, Highsmith details the writing of her various books and short stories. If you're a fan of hers (as I am), these stories are entertaining since they show the genesis of her ideas and... more info | 3.5 / 5.0
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