Customer Reviews

Writing the Mystery: A Start to Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional

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G. Miki Hayden, a master of the mystery novel herself, has written what I considered the clearest and most practical guide for those writers who wish to create mystery novels that work, e.g., novels that someone would wish to read. The point here is to save the writer time: one can learn all of this by writing six, seven, twelve mystery novels. But following along with Hayden's text means shortcutting the learning time. And the logical sequence of issues and chapters makes this an ideal curriculum guide or text for anyone wishing to teach a university level course in mystery writing. Hayden begins with analyzing the central aspects of plot, including indespensable moves up and down a storyline must take to keep a reader reading. She goes on to character and character-driven stories, and then shows, does not tell, how somethings work and some do not, and what to avoid, and why. She ends with interviews of leading mystery writers who answer well tuned quetions about their craft. Clearly, Hayden is a natural teacher, and this book is without a doubt an indespensable text.

It's hard not to love a book with your name on the cover. No, I'm not talking about one of my own mystery novels, I'm talking about G. Miki Hayden's "Writing the Mystery" (Intrigue Press, Trade Paper, retail $18.95).

I almost forgot I gave Hayden an interview, so I was surprised to see my name listed on the cover, along with such mystery notables as Elmore Leonard, S. J. Rozan, Laura Lippman, Sujata Massey and Rick Riordan. These (and several more) author interviews are included in Hayden's book, which is just one of the elements that combine to make this a rather unique book for aspiring mystery authors or people who are just interested in learning more about the business and craft of mysteries.

Hayden writes a regular column for the Mystery Writers of America newsletter, and her book provides a comprehensive overview of mysteries. It talks about the business of mysteries, the craft of mystery writing, realistic advice on marketing and obtaining an agent, and even tips on writing mystery short stories. Plus the author interviews provide a range of advice, including some advice that clashes with Hayden's!

With this scope, no one area is examined in depth, but I consider this book an excellent overview of the entire mystery field. After reading it, you can find other books on writing or writing mysteries that will help you drill down on particular subjects. Without reading Hayden's book, some beginning mystery authors might not even know what topics to pursue.

I constantly read books on the craft of writing and writing mysteries. I've found that no one book can teach you everything. Since I continue to invest in my skills by buying books on writing, despite winning several awards and being on bestseller lists, it should be evident that I feel it's important for any author to make an investment in themselves by buying books on writing. For the aspiring mystery author, Hayden's book is the logical first investment because it introduces you to the full scope of the mystery world.

- Dale Furutani

I have been trying to help a friend critique her mystery novel and get it ready to publish and thought that a published author would be able to help. Unfortunately, this is not the right book for it. I passed up other lesser known 'How-To' authors in favor of this one, and I regret it. You know you are in trouble when the first page is a FOREWARD (instead of a FOREWORD) and the guy who writes it spends all but the last sentence of it talking about himself instead of about Hayden's book.

The first 80 or so pages are not bad. They are very general, but there is some good advice there. Then from there on, the author spends the next 40 pages giving trite and yawn-worthy grammar and usage advice. The final 30 pages before all the author interviews are general commentary about contracts, mystery groups, and writing a series, but again, it is all so general as not to be very helpful at all.

From page 152 on through the interviews, we are treated to some interesting stuff from various midlist to famous authors, but none of it helps reach the goal of the title, Writing the Mystery: A Start to Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional.

Lastly the FAQ and Index are both rather weak. This book is not detailed enough to help a novice, and it is so general that a professional would only sit there saying, "yes, I knew that, yes, I knew that, duh, nothing new there, etc." The writer is cogent, and her delivery sound, but this sure doesn't help anyone much if it is not always really on-topic in a way to help write a novel. A good editor could have cut half the blather and inserted another 100 pages of helpful details and advice. The book just does not go anywhere, and I am sorry I bought it instead of one of the other mystery crafting novels. Back to the drawing board.

I first picked up a first edition copy of Hayden's Writing the Mystery in my local library, read the first few chapters, and then discovered the second edition available on Amazon. I purchased it without hesitation.

G. Miki Hayden is a master essayist. Her thorough knowledge of the genre and heartfelt encouragement are a wonderful combination. Chapters 1 through 5 take the reader through the art of crafting the story. Chapter 6 is all about what happens once the story is done, dealing with agents, publishers and the like. Chapter 7 is dedicated to gathering insight from some of the best crime writers in the business.

Bottom line? I highly recommend Hayden's Writing the Mystery.

The interviews with published mystery authors are worth some time, but this book suffers greatly from a "tell, don't show" inversion of the classic advice to authors. Lots of direction, though it's very general (make sure your characters are interesting), and lots of "but not too much" (make sure you characters are interesting, but not too quirky). Very little direction about how to accomplish those goals. It falls into my category of yet another "craft" book that is more personal reflection and/or memoir than actual instruction.

I have been trying to help a friend critique her mystery novel and get it ready to publish and thought that a published author would be able to help. Unfortunately, this is not the right book for it. I passed up other lesser known 'How-To' authors in favor of this one, and I regret it. You know you are in trouble when the guy who writes the Foreword spends all but the last sentence of it talking about himself instead of about Hayden's book.

The first third of the book is not too bad. Those pages are very general, but there is some good advice there. Then from there on, the author spends the next 40 pages giving trite and yawn-worthy grammar and usage advice. The final pages before all the author interviews are general commentary about contracts, mystery groups, and writing a series, but again, it is all so general as not to be very helpful at all.

In the last quarter of the book up through the interviews, we are treated to some interesting stuff from various midlist to famous authors, but none of it helps reach the goal of the title, Writing the Mystery: A Start to Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional.

Lastly the FAQ and Index are both rather weak. This book is not detailed enough to help a novice, and it is so general that a professional would only sit there saying, "yes, I knew that, yes, I knew that, duh, nothing new there, etc." The writer is cogent, and her delivery sound, but this sure doesn't help anyone much if it is not always really on-topic in a way to help write a novel. A good editor could have cut half the blather and inserted another 100 pages of helpful details and advice. The book just does not go anywhere, and I am sorry I bought it instead of one of the other mystery crafting novels. Back to the drawing board.

Miki Hayden has the experience and vantage point to guide the would-be mystery writer around the shoals. You'll learn what is in, what is not and how you can position your work to gain maximum acceptance. Hayden writes a market column for Mystery Writers of America so her knowledge is both broad and deep. Her writing style, filled with examples from her work and others, is clear and convincing. Her included interviews with Who's Who in Mystery writing today just reinforces the topics she covers. Want to write a mystery? Read Hayden first.

Revealing the Secrets of Writing the Mystery is not an easy task. First, "mystery" must be defined. That starts the trouble since mystery can be any of several categories, depending on the nature of the mystery. According to Hayden, two broad categories of mystery, a cozy and the hardboiled include many of the other genres. Essentially, the cozy involves amateur detectives, of the type "Murder She Wrote" and the second one is referred to as hardboiled, in which professional detectives are paid. The cozy usually refrains from violence. The closest thing to anything violent is the discovery of a body. And even then, the details are not so gruesome. In the hardboiled, on the other hand, details are graphic and violence is gratuitous. Hardboiled can involve private detectives, also known as PI, and police procedurals. Who knew the mystery genre contained so many sub-genres? The mystery category of fiction is so encompassing that it sometimes oversteps its bounds and sweeps into other genres, such as the romantic mystery, sci-fi mystery, and the horror mystery. The author elegantly shows how other sub-genres leak into mystery's sub-genres as well.

The author explains how the reader can be misdirected by a Red Herring. According to Hayden, a Red Herring is a series of clues or information about a character that leads you in the wrong direction in a "who done it." She writes with a sassy style, but gets her point across well. As the plot progresses the reader is given a number of subtle clues that can actually lead to the correct conclusion, but she makes it perfectly clear that a mystery is a puzzle, a job for the reader to figure out. Consequently, just as you think you know how it will turn out, the plot twists in such a way to put you deeper into the mystery. (Hence, the term the plot thickens.).

The secret of writing good mystery is revealed by this terrific writer, building upon the wonderful and bountiful knowledge of the various approaches to building up the intrigue that a mystery is supposed to present. She really covers every aspect of it like a mystery architect, refining and regenerating old ideas. You won't be disappointed.

I don't know why they list it separately--go figure--but the second edition is out, so buy that one.

The book covers everything from planning the book
through to finding an agent and publisher. It is aimed
at both novices and professionals and is a veritible
treasure-trove of excellent tips and information. I would
recommend this to anyone who is thinking of writing a
book, as well as to published writers who are sure to
be glad of the tips it contains for polishing writing
skills. A wonderful book.