title: Now Write! Mysteries: Suspense, Crime, Thriller, and Other Mystery Fiction Exercises from Today's Best  Writers and Teachers (Now Write! Series)
author:  Sherry Ellis 
description: The fourth installment in the Now Write! series (after books about writing fiction, nonfiction, and screenplays) focuses on the mystery genre. With chapters written by genre authorsincluding Simon Brett, Deborah Coonts, and Louise Pennythe book is a sort of from-the-horses-mouth affair: writers telling other writers how to build characters, put together a solid plot, use forensics properly, create an engaging setting, manipulate suspense, and find something new to say in a genre that has seen pretty much every variation and nuance you could possibly imagine. You can read the book from beginning to end or select specific articles to help you zero in on a particular area. The articles follow a fairly strict format: a brief description of the subject under discussion, some helpful tips, and a creative exercise to give the reader some hands-on practice. Short of one-on-one training with each of the writers featured in the book, this is probably the best and most useful way to benefit from their expertise. A smartly constructed and very helpful writers guide. --David Pitt
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  **Here’s what kids, parents,  
  and teachers have to say  
  to Ron Roy, author of the  
  A to Z Mysteries series:**
  
  
  
  
  
  “My teacher asked me which of your books was my favorite. I told him they were
  all so good they were all my favorite.”
  
  
  —Jackie D.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “I have never been hooked on to a series as much as this one.”
  
  
  —Donald M.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “You are such a good author, I think that every child and grown-up should read
  your books.”
  
  
  —Olivia M.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “My favorite series is definitely no doubt, A to Z Mysteries!”
  
  
  —Jordan C.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Thank you so very much for allowing my child to peek into a world of
  adventure.”
  
  
  —Amber B.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “My students find the books extremely exciting, and they can’t put them down.”
  
  
  —Shirley K.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _This book is dedicated to Matthew Johnson._
  
  
  —R.R.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _To Tim, thanks for posing!_
  
  
  —J.S.G.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _This book is dedicated to Matthew Johnson._  
   _—R.R._  
    
  
  
  _To Ti