Howdunit: How Crimes Are Committed and Solved (Paperback)

by John Boertlein (Editor) "Cops always prove to be interesting characters for all kinds of writing..." (more)
Key Phrases: foot surveillance, overt surveillance, permit premises, United States, New York, Writer's Guide (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Since, happily, most writers don't have direct experience with the gory details of drug enforcement, forensic psychology, or hate crimes, they'll need to get the nitty-gritty for their screenplays and novels from a reliable source. This is where Howdunit comes in. Culled from a 14-volume series on crime writing, the book is a one-stop-shopping reference guide for writers in the genre or for those interested in learning the background of real police work.

Beginning with the fundamentals of modern cop life and the criminal justice system, Howdunit elaborates on murder variations (bizarre, mass, serial), forensic medicine and autopsies, crime-scene searches and surveillance, vice-related crimes, and special problems such as gangs and paramilitary groups. Stark illustrations are included where appropriate, such as black-and-white photos of Nazi paraphernalia and basic police gear, as well as simple anatomical drawings that are designed to illustrate common medical adjectives like lateral and posterior. Most chapters end with a short list of points to cover for character or plot development, turning each subject into a possible writing exercise. The editor, John Boertlein, spent 20 years on the police force, and he clearly knows his stuff. Each section is precisely detailed and extremely straightforward; tools, procedures, and personality profiles are recorded in a way that leaves little room for misinterpretation. If you've got your plot twists and big con all planned out, studying this book is sure to provide the final touches. --Jill Lightner

Product Description
The ultimate reference on the dark world of criminals and those who oppose them! Readers will learn how crimes are plotted, committed, investigated and solved. This hefty reference includes chapters from nine of the books in the "Howdunit" crime series, as well as thirteen new chapters on key topics, such as property crime, gangs and the drug trade. Boertlein also offers a huge glossary of crime words and phrases, plenty of photographs, and new chapter sections that give writers the sensory details and real-life perspective they need to write not only accurately, but vividly about crime. In the final section of the book, readers will find prompts and advice to guide them in plotting, committing and solving their own fictional crimes. They can create floor plans of crime scenes, follow leads and catch their criminals. Using the information in this book - and any other Howdunits they own - readers can put what they've learned into action and on the page.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582970157
• ISBN-13: 978-1582970158
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #504,999 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide for Every Genre Writer, September 7, 2001

By	FictionAddiction.NET - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Does your novel contain a crime? Surveillance? Child molesters? From terrorists to street gangs, "Howdunit: How Crimes Are Committed and Solved" has complete, accurate police techniques and procedures for writers of every genre.

This guide is a master compilation of the Howdunit crime reference series. You'll find 29 chapters, 20 from 14 volumes and nine brand new chapters.

Begin your own fictional investigation into these sample chapters:

* An Overview of Murder

* How the Body is Handled

* The Autopsy

* Crime Tools Guide

* Crime Scene Search

* Interviews and Interrogations

* Profiling the Criminal

* Prostitution

* Tailing

Instead of spending all of your time interviewing police officials, simply add this book to your reference library. Everything you need to add realism to your novel is contained in one volume.

Passing on this book would simply be a crime.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you want to know about crime... and more!, October 3, 2001

By	Barbara E. Pugh, Ph.D. (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Howdonit is one of a series of books for the serious mystery writer. The book outlines mayhem, police investigation procedures, and anything a budding - or experienced - mystery writer may need to know to make a story authentic. There is nothing worse than reading, or worse yet, writing, a story which has a clever plot, good characterization, but is faulty as far as procedure goes. With this book as a guide your stories will do justice to your writing abilities and your ability to research your topic.
Barbara E. Pugh, Ph.D.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, November 8, 2002

By	S. Crudup "Sid" (Orlando, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Howdunit" is an exceptional tool for the mystery and suspense writer. The information on investigative procedure, profiling, forensic psychology and so on, will assist the fiction writer with the reference material needed to make his or her story factual. It is imperative for the screenwriter or novelist not to just brilliantly structure a story but to add "realism" in his or her craft. Howdunit has helped me to affix genuineness to my storytelling by presenting the pure facts about crime, law enforcement techniques and the criminal justice system. I personally enjoyed the segment on the con. Howdunit provides a concise glimpse of the con's master art. This makes for good drama within the novel and screenplay. (It will also help you to spot one in real life!) I firmly recommend "Howdunit" and the complete "Howdunit" series for the writer who is serious about producing quality material. Excellent choice of books. Kudos!!