How to Write a Damn Good Mystery

Uncover the Secrets to Crafting a Compelling Mystery Novel with this Indispensable Guide Edgar award nominee James N. Frey, author of the internationally best-selling books on the craft of writing, How to Write a Damn Good Novel, How to Write a Damn Good Novel II: Advanced Techniques, and The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth, has now written what is certain to become the standard "how to" book for mystery writing, How to Write a Damn Good Mystery. In this entertaining and accessible guide, Frey urges writers to aim high-not just to write a good-enough-to-get-published mystery, but a damn good one. He insists that a great mystery is first and foremost a dramatic novel with living, breathing characters. Frey shows his readers how to create clever, resourceful, and resolute characters who drive the plot forward. With wit and expertise, Frey demonstrates how to build a fleshed-out, believable, and logical world for the entire ensemble, including the murderer, detective, authorities, victims, suspects, witnesses, and bystanders. He reveals which parts of that world should appear in the pages of a damn good mystery-and which parts should be held back to keep the reader guessing. Whether you're a novice or an advanced author, this indispensable step-by-step guide is a must-have for anyone who's ever dreamed of writing a damn good mystery. Discover the secrets to developing unforgettable characters, constructing a coherent world, and mastering the art of suspense.

James N. Frey is the author of internationally bestselling books on the craft of fiction writing, including How to Write a Damn Good Novel, How to Write a Damn Good Novel II: Advanced Techniques, and The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth. He is also the author of nine novels, including the Edgar Award-nominated The Long Way to Die. He has taught at the University of California, Berkeley, Extension, the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and the Oregon Writers' Colony, and he is a featured speaker at writers' conferences throughout the United States and Europe. Former students include recent Anthony award-nominees Betty Winkleman and Cara Black, and many best-selling authors including Marjorie Reynolds, Melba Beals, and April Sinclair.