Writing the Mystery (G. Miki Hayden)

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This book does not come close to living up to its cover blurb. It is not a "start-to-finish" guide. Some of this may not be entirely the author's fault. It's just that most of the lessons in the book are readily available elsewhere, and I've already read them. A complete novice may find some of the material to be helpful, although it is not presented in the most accessible way. An expert would be completely bored.

About half of the interviews in the back of the book were interesting. I love to read about how other writers approach the craft. Many of the interviews are allowed to veer into areas that have little to do with writing mystery novels, eliminating the need to even include them.

Someone considering this book would do better to find Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America edited by Susan Grafton. I am most of the way through that book and it is much more insightful and accessible.