With the help of interactive exercises, mystery author and crime fiction critic Hallie Ephron gives you the momentum you need to turn a kernel of an idea into an intriguing mystery novel. You'll learn to capitalize on your writing strengths and shore up your weaknesses.

This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of mystery writing, including:

planning, twisting the plot, and constructing a credible surprise ending
creating a compelling sleuth and a worthy villain
deceiving and revealing with red herrings and clues
writing investigation, spine-tingling suspense, and dramatic action
revising - from sharpening characters, to optimizing pace, to smithing words
engaging the reader

By the time you finish reading part one of this book, you will have a blueprint for your entire story. Parts two and there take your blueprint from idea to well-polished novel. Part four is an insider's guide to getting it into an agent's or publisher's hands.

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