How to Write a Mystery

This book was an absolute pleasure to read, and I don't say that lightly of an instruction “handbook.” I've read a number of writing how-tos and most end up being a bit dense – not in a bad way, but all the information in them starts to feel heavy. This book doesn't have that problem at all. It's still super informative, but each essay moves right along, and interspersed are succinct, useful quotes from authors regarding writing.

The essays also cover a number of topics, from groundrules of mystery and descriptions of subgenres to outlining and setting to building an online community. I'm particularly interested in cozy, so the medical/thriller stuff wasn't as relevant to me, but that was only a few essays. Overall the book was still well worth it – I must have bookmarked at least half the articles for reference later, and I know I'll be coming back to it in the future!