Location: Home » Other Books » Reference » Elements of Mystery Fiction, The: Writing the Modern Whodunit

The Oenophile Network Blog & Forum Links

Wine Blog
Wine Forum

Elements of Mystery Fiction, The: Writing the Modern Whodunit

enlarge

Author: William Tapply
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$16.95~~
Buy New: $10.18
You Save: $6.77 (40%)

New (20) Used (9) from $10.12

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

2 reviews
Sales Rank: 110456

Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 225
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6

ISBN: 1590581156
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.3
EAN: 9781590581155
ASIN: 1590581156

Publication Date: May 15, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.

Similar Items:

•	Don't Murder Your Mystery [Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction Book]
•	Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel
•	Writing Mysteries
•	How to Write Killer Fiction: The Funhouse of Mystery & the Roller Coaster of Suspense
•	How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide from Inspiration to Finished Manuscript

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
The Elements of Mystery Fiction: Writing the Modern Whonunit has guided and inspied mystery writersveterans as well as beginners-- for nearly a decade. Here William G. Tapply, with more than 20 popular mystery and suspense novels under his belt, isolates the crucial "elements" of the mystery novels that publishers want to publish and readers want to read--original plots, clever clues, sympathetic sleuths, memorable villains, multi-dimensional supporting characters, true-to-life settings, sharp narrative hooks, and, of course, smooth writing. In clear readable prose using examples from many of our best contemporary mystery novelists, Tapply shows how the writer can create the pieces and fit them together to make a story you cant put down.

This new expanded edition of Elements contains original chapters by some of our best contemporary writers and most prominent personalities in the publishing world discussing writing and business issues that are vital to mystery writers in the 21st century.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

Essential Reading for All Mystery Novelists and a Great Guide for Reviewers February 20, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

William G. Tapply has great credentials for explaining about how to write mystery fiction: His series of Brady Coyne mysteries have been providing much reading pleasure to mystery fans for decades. He's also collaborated on novels with Linda Barlow and Philip R. Craig. The fishing happy aspect of Brady Coyne's fictional life reflects Mr. Tapply's personal love for and great knowledge of fishing (and he's also written widely on the subject in non-fiction form).

When I'm reading a mystery, I often feel that something is missing. The Elements of Mystery Fiction showed me how to analyze a mystery to see what its strengths and weaknesses are. I'm sure my mystery reviews will be much better as a result.

As a non-fiction writer, I've never been able to figure out a writing process that would work with mysteries. Novels are much easier. You can just start from an intriguing premise, put the hero or heroine in a tricky spot, and let the book write itself . . . as Stephen King suggests.

Mr. Tapply thoughtfully describes the process he uses for writing mysteries. It's a bear! But I can see why it works. You cannot leave anything to chance.

Having seen the large challenges and bulky process involved, I can also see why many novelists prefer to write suspense books rather than mysteries. Those are much easier to write!

This new edition adds several new chapters that are written or contributed to through interview by other mystery authors and experts exploring:

Writing the Mystery Series -- Philip R. Craig
Standalone or Series Mystery? -- Bill Eidson
Seeing Double: Making Collaboration Work -- Hallie Ephron
Doing Business with Agents -- Fred Morris interview
Editing and Publishing Mysteries -- Barbara Peters interview
The Bookselling Business -- Otto Penzler interview
Publicizing Your Mystery Novel -- Jeremiah Healy interview
Persistence -- Vicki Stiefel

Of particular interest to those who want detailed writing help are Mr. Tapply's many examples of superb writing (from other peoples' mysteries -- many of which you've probably read) and bad writing (concocted to demonstrate what can go wrong).

And naturally, the book is brilliantly and lovingly written.

Get this book today!

5 out of 5 stars

The best book on writing mysteries I've read yet December 5, 2005
26 out of 28 found this review helpful

Of all the books on writing mysteries - and there are many - this is one of the only written by a real master of the craft (with the exception, perhaps, of Patricia Highsmith's book). Tapply neither talks down to the reader nor does he go over the reader's head. This nuts-and-bolts book looks at the main issues involved in writing mysteries clearly and concisely.

Covering the usual areas - character, plot, point of view, setting, etc. - Tapply gives an honest, frank appraisal of what works for him and others. While it is possible that having read other books on writing in general and mysteries in particular made me more receptive to this book, Tapply's tone is friendly and reassuring. This may be the best book on the subject.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service
Ordering
Tracking Your Package
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping Rates
International Shipping Rates
Returns
Gifts & Gift Certificates
Privacy & Security

Subcategories

•	Mass Market
•	Trade

Untitled Document Disclaimer: This is an Amazon storefront - the products referenced on this site are manufactured and sold by parties other than the Oenophile Network. The Oenophile Network makes no representations regarding either the products or any information vendors offer about their products. Any questions, complaints, or claims regarding the products must be directed to the appropriate manufacturer or vendor, or to Amazon.com.