Writing the mystery: a start-to-finish guide for both novice and professional

Introduction to the mystery

Hacking your way into a killer mystery market

Sell to the mainstream, small presses, audio, and e-books

What's a mystery, anyway?

Defining the genres

The Chinese law of secrecy

A key to keeping the writing engine revved

The plot's the thing

To outline or not to outline? (A good question)

Pre-plotting essentials, chapter organization, and proposals

The starter's pistol

Beginning the mystery that has a chance for publication

The investigation follows

Indispensable story arcs, conflict, and plot development

The killer unmasked

Revealing secrets and building the novel's conclusion

The old red herring and other necessary tricks

Proven plot devices

Accessories to the fact

Plot vs. character

Balancing your mystery to meet editors' demands

The "who's" in the whodunit

What makes viable primary and secondary characters?

Offering testimony

Effective dialogue explained

The scene of the crime

Setting and atmosphere

Pinning down the details

How to cultivate the research habit

The stolen kiss

Adding romance to your mystery, but judiciously

The bloody deed

Violence is an integral part of the mystery genre

Similar offenses

Mysteries come in an abbreviated form

Short stories and other mystery variations

A strategy for writing the mystery short

From idea to finalization

Five specific clues to the crime brief

What short mystery fiction requires in order to work

Getting the story straight

Now, maximize your writing sizzle

Techniques that improve your writing presentation

Sweating on a chain gang

Exercises to add impact and polish

Eight common writer misdemeanors

Mistakes to avoid

Logical consistency counts

Maintaining rationality on all levels

To vary forms is very important

An essential for spicing up your narrative style

Get the dead out

Avoid passive writing by developing active voice

The writer sings

Your voice is unique

Time off for self-editing

Tips for revising

After the fact

The author's summation

How to summarize the mystery so you can sell

The hired gun

Acquiring an agent, what to expect from the relationship

Submitting the package

Prepare your novel for submission

Taking out a contract

What to consider before signing

Joining a gang

Mystery writing groups for networking fun

Taking the rap

Promote your mystery as only you can

Private security detail

Avoid the ever-present pitfalls of publishing schemes

Keeping a series alive

Longevity means skillful innovation

On the witness stand

For the record

Author interviews

and their advice to new writers: Elmore Leonard ; Dale Furutani ; Sujata Massey ; William Kent Krueger ; Laura Lippman ; S. J. Rozan ; Linda Fairstein ; Larry Karp ; Rick Riordan ; Seymour Shubin ; Kris Neri

Under interrogation

A final deposition

Frequently asked questions, answered by the author

Index.