Review: How to write a Damn Good Mystery – James N. Frey

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press; First Edition edition (February 12, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312304463
ISBN-13: 978-0312304461
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Review:

This was a very informative guidebook in the process of writing a mystery. The author takes you step by step, from premise, to character creation, creating outlines, how to plan the stories, etc. If you’ve ever read a mystery and felt you could write one, then I think this book would be very helpful. It’s certainly along with his other books, helping me analyze books more thoroughly in doing my reviews.

So if you are interested in writing, then pick this book up. I think you’ll find it helpful.

You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

2 Responses to “Review: How to write a Damn Good Mystery – James N. Frey”

  1. Joan Says:

    This sounds like an excellent format for writing any story. I would be very interested in seeing how he develops the characters in a mystery. Ex: Is the murderer always in the first chapter?

  2. Rick Rhodes Says:

    Joan, you actually introduce them early in the book, but not necesssarily as the killer. At least if ypu are going for the who done it type.

    He’s also got two out (one will be reviewed tomorrow) called How to Write a Damn Good Novel and How to Write a Damn Good Novel II.

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