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Reviews
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook by Mystery Writers of America by Mystery Writers of America
davidabrams's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.25
Less inspirational than practical, less writing blueprint than a handful of nails, bolts, and screws. But there is certainly some overall good writing advice here--indeed, the whole book is probably better suited to the beginning writer than one who is looking for specific advice on how to write a mystery. I wanted more about how to develop plots, plant clues, obscure villains, and things of that nature. I skipped the entire last quarter of the book which talked about how to get book reviews, how to self-publish, how to build an online identity, and other topics only tangentially related to writing mysteries. Did I get a few ideas on how to better my writing from these pages? Sure, I rounded up a few suspects--the usual suspects, that is. But I don't feel I got any life-changing advice or anything.
I didn't exactly want to murder this book by the time I was done, but I certainly might have slapped it hard across the face a couple of times and accused it of breaking its original promises to me back at the start of our relationship. Then I would have stormed out in a huff.
I didn't exactly want to murder this book by the time I was done, but I certainly might have slapped it hard across the face a couple of times and accused it of breaking its original promises to me back at the start of our relationship. Then I would have stormed out in a huff.
vkaz's review
5.0
Not a step-by-step guide to writing a mystery, but essays with pithy advice on nearly all aspects of writing a mystery and being an author, from an impressive lineup of authors and experts. Helpful and inspiring.
woody1881's review
3.0
This book is an excellent writing resource. I like the fact that a bunch of contributors seem to allow for differing opinions of the same topics. Much of the advice in this book I have read before, in other books and articles, but this is a great refresher.
It is very interesting to listen to what authors and critics think about parts of writing. Definitely worth your time in my opinion.
It is very interesting to listen to what authors and critics think about parts of writing. Definitely worth your time in my opinion.
isaacrm's review
4.0
Four stars for this one, which contains a lot of good advice if you want to become a writer.
This book will not teach you how to write, but it would teach you everything else if you want to become a writer. Full of good advice by top selling authors, this book is an eye opener about writing and how hard it is. It becomes a little dense at some parts, but in general, a very interesting read.
This book will not teach you how to write, but it would teach you everything else if you want to become a writer. Full of good advice by top selling authors, this book is an eye opener about writing and how hard it is. It becomes a little dense at some parts, but in general, a very interesting read.
stapilus's review
5.0
Good, up to date (published in 2021) advice from active people in the field. A lot of good sense. There's also kind of bonus: Many of the writers reference favorite novels and stories, and they've helped set me on the path to finding a bunch more I hadn't been aware of or known much about.
henrismum's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Take away: Not as good as its British counterpart Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club. The info in How to Write a Mystery was practical while the core concepts in Howdunit were philosophical and stylistic.
Narration: Multiple Narrators - A good cast, but probably unnecessary to have so many readers.
Normal Speed - Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series - Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore. (It felt like taking a class.)
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: Multiple Narrators - A good cast, but probably unnecessary to have so many readers.
Listening to this book was a chore. (It felt like taking a class.)
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
cgcang's review
5.0
You can in fact read this as a guide for (aspiring) writers since it touches on countless subjects ranging from plot and protagonist to copyright and the correct ways of using social media. What I did, though, was read it as a kind of oral history of mystery writing, a sort of testimonial from inside the genre, from the people who make thrilling literature happen. And it was fun through and through.