How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide from Inspiration to Finished Manuscript

By James N. Frey and Nancy Jooyoun Kim

Book Overview

Edgar award nominee James N. Frey, author of the internationally bestselling books on the craft of writing has now written what is certain to become the standard "how to" book for mystery writing, How to Write a Damn Good Mystery.

Frey urges writers to aim high-not to try to write a good-enough-to-get-published mystery, but a damn good mystery. A damn good mystery is first a dramatic novel, Frey insists-a dramatic novel with living, breathing characters-and he shows his readers how to create a living, breathing, believable character who will be clever and resourceful, willful and resolute, and will be what Frey calls "the author of the plot behind the plot."

Frey then shows, in his well-known, entertaining, and accessible (and often humorous) style, how the characters-the entire ensemble, including the murderer, the detective, the authorities, the victims, the suspects, the witnesses and the bystanders-create a complete and coherent world.

Exploring both the on-stage action and the behind-the-scenes intrigue, Frey shows prospective writers how to build a fleshed-out, believable, and logical world. He shows them exactly which parts of that world show up in the pages of a damn good mystery-and which parts are held back just long enough to keep the reader guessing.

This is an indispensable step-by-step guide for anyone who's ever dreamed of writing a damn good mystery.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312304463
• ISBN13: 9780312304461
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 271 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

King of the How-tos

I have been writing for 28 years and I admit I'm not God, but after reading over 300 writing books, most of them I own, I can unequivocally tell you that this one is tops! Please read it. It anwers all your questions and shows you exactly what to do then what to do next. If you don't find this book helpful, send it to me and I'll save it for you until you are serious about your work. It also works up an exciting novel to show you how it's done, and will fire you up while entertaining you. Joan of Art

A Practical Guide

I really liked this book. You read right along with the author as he creates a mystery novel, step by step. He teaches you how to create characters with depth by writing a detailed background and having your characters write a journal. He starts with the murderer, the plot behind the plot, then takes you on to your hero/detective and each of your other characters. You learn to write a plot by using a stepsheet. I especially found helpful the fact that you write a stepsheet for what the reader sees and what the reader does not see (what is happening offstage). You learn about the five act design in which a mystery novel is divided. The author then gives helpful pointers in writing good prose, writing the mystery scene, choosing viewpoint, the final steps in rewriting, and then some words on marketing your novel. I found this book enjoyable to read and very helpful in writing a mystery or any novel. It's one of the best "How to Write" books I've read because it's so practical in how it teaches you to write a mystery novel. It would be a great resource in any writer's library.

How To Write a Damn Good Mystery

This is a great book. I found it totally by accident when I was trying to find a book on plot and mystery. It has information on plot and more. What makes this book a great find is that it not only has the information on the components of the mystery, but also it gives information about the structure of a good mystery, using examples from classics such as "The Maltase Falcon" or the more recent "Prime Suspect." From answering questions such as "Why do people read mysteries anyway?" to discussing " Mythic Motifs of interest to mystery writers," Frey obviously knows the genre well. It should rank up there next to classics such as Dorothy Brande's "On Becoming a Writer" or John Gardner's "On Becoming a Novelist." What makes this book truly unique is that it is well-written, and it is one that you can learn more each time you read it. It makes you think.

Inspiring and Practical

I have been a fan of James N. Frey since his first "how to" book, "How to Write a Damn Good Novel". I was pleasantly surprised that he has now adapted his method to the mystery genre. This book does not go into all the poisons, weapons, clever plot reversals, etc. that you might find in other mystery writing books, but it does tell you where and how to begin, how to create characters with depth and interest, a plan for a logical and surprising plot, and tips on improving writing style. To me, it is the first book I have read on this subject that makes the writing process clear. I have been a fan of mystery novels since childhood, and I always wanted to write one but did not know how to generate a good enough story. Now, since Frey's book, I have an idea I am excited about and I am, for the first time, writing a mystery novel.

If you buy only One Book on Writing--Buy this one!

Too many people sit down in front of a computer and decide to write a novel without knowing how. Ignoring the craft of writing has put too much boring and dull material in the bookstores. Frey's book is the nuts & bolts of building complicated well-orchestrated characters plus creating a step sheet for an exciting story full of conflict and drama. His chapters on plotting theory and the villain's plot behind the plot are positively brilliant. There comes a time in every writer's career that they have to decide--Am I going to write schlock or a damn good novel. James N. Frey makes the choice easy.