How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide from Inspiration to Finished Manuscript

I bought this book when it came out, based on the strength of Frey's previous guide "How to write a damn good novel" and I was not disappointed. Despite the similar titles, this book focuses in on the salient things particular to the mystery genre. He touches on several subjects, ranging from the four pillars of mystery to how to become intimate with a murderer to how to craft strong endlines for each of your chapters. The book echoes his previous works, but that in no way detracts from all the new stuff he presents. It is a good read, and I found it extremely helpful to my writing.

If you want to write a mystery novel, buy this book, and read it.

I have been writing for 28 years and I admit I'm not God, but after reading over 300 writing books, most of them I own, I can unequivocally tell you that this one is tops!
Please read it. It anwers all your questions and shows you exactly what to do then what to do next.
If you don't find this book helpful, send it to me and I'll save it for you until you are serious about your work.
It also works up an exciting novel to show you how it's done, and will fire you up while entertaining you.

Joan of Art

I really liked this book. You read right along with the author as he creates a mystery novel, step by step. He teaches you how to create characters with depth by writing a detailed background and having your characters write a journal. He starts with the murderer, the plot behind the plot, then takes you on to your hero/detective and each of your other characters. You learn to write a plot by using a stepsheet. I especially found helpful the fact that you write a stepsheet for what the reader sees and what the reader does not see (what is happening offstage). You learn about the five act design in which a mystery novel is divided. The author then gives helpful pointers in writing good prose, writing the mystery scene, choosing viewpoint, the final steps in rewriting, and then some words on marketing your novel. I found this book enjoyable to read and very helpful in writing a mystery or any novel. It's one of the best "How to Write" books I've read because it's so practical in how it teaches you to write a mystery novel. It would be a great resource in any writer's library.

This is a great book. I found it totally by accident when I was trying to find a book on plot and mystery. It has information on plot and more. What makes this book a great find is that it not only has the information on the components of the mystery, but also it gives information about the structure of a good mystery, using examples from classics such as "The Maltase Falcon" or the more recent "Prime Suspect." From answering questions such as "Why do people read mysteries anyway?" to discussing " Mythic Motifs of interest to mystery writers," Frey obviously knows the genre well. It should rank up there next to classics such as Dorothy Brande's "On Becoming a Writer" or John Gardner's "On Becoming a Novelist." What makes this book truly unique is that it is well-written, and it is one that you can learn more each time you read it.
It makes you think.

I'm new to mystery writing, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I found this to be an excellent intro to mystery writing - he explains clearly why people read mysteries and therefore what elements you must build into your characters and into the story. His character-based approach has made more and more sense as I've worked on crafting a mystery novel.