Tapply has more than twenty mystery and suspense novels published, and here, he isolates the critical "elements" of the mystery novel. He shows you how to proceed from original idea through the entire process of creating a story that you can't put down. Chapters include how to weigh your idea to see if it will work for a novel, or if it is better suited to short fiction. Character building; how to create a sympathetic protagonist, memorable villain, and various suspects. How do you determine your point of view, and create realistic settings that enhance the plot? Begin building tension and conflict. Create believable dialogue, the lifeblood of your mystery. Finally, there is advice on revising, rewriting and marketing.

    Tapply uses examples from the cream of the contemporary mystery writers to illustrate true to life settings, smooth writing and narrative hooks to keep your readers (and editors!) reading.

     So what are you waiting for? Get started on that mystery novel you've been thinking about.