Writing the Murder

'A perceptive guide to the ploys and pleasures of writing and reading crime fiction that
will appeal to novices and nerds alike.'

Mark Sanderson, author of the Snow Hill trilogy and reviewer for The Times



'Not just a dry or academic 'how to' but a provocative collection of varied essays
and revelations about what makes crime and mystery authors tick and what attracts
otherwise normal human beings to a life of crime on the page. Informative, witty and
full of valuable insights, one of the best genre reference titles in ages.'



Maxim Jakubowski



'A fascinating collection of essays with an insight into some of the origins of the
genre, an examination of the current landscape and an intriguing glimpse of where this
endlessly adaptive genre may take us in the future. Highly recommended for all lovers
of crime fiction.'


Bridget Walsh, author of The Tumbling Girl



There's been a murder...



From the macabre tales of Edgar Allan Poe through to the locked-room mysteries of
the Golden Age, to the many faces of modern crime fiction and the explosion of true
crime, writers have always explored the most taboo of human transgressions: the
taking of a life. What is it about murder that has fascinated us for so long? And what
is it about crimes of this nature that make for such compelling fiction?



Gathering an impressive line-up of suspects, Writing the Murder asks some of the
finest contemporary writers to dissect their craft and analyse the place of murder
in fiction. Authors such as Charlie Higson, Louise Welsh, Jessie Greengrass and Tom
Mead interrogate what it means to write about this most illicit of acts, the lasting
appeal of crime fiction, and offer practical advice for those looking to write seriously
and convincingly about crime.



An essential tool for the grizzled veteran and the fresh-faced rookie alike, Writing
the Murder gives you the motive and the means to write your own tales of murder
and intrigue.