Non-Fiction Books
Blends victorian historical and cultural events with the intimate portrait of Holmes provided by Dr. Watson to fashion a biography of this enigmatic character
Surveys the history of the different types of fiction concerning crime, offers advice on how to write mysteries, and rates the various crime writers and their novels
This guide to writing crime fiction is based on the author's analysis of the craft from the classic detective story of the 1920s and 30s up to the female private eye novels of the 1990s. It features tips on fictional structure, the plot and its characters, and on submitting a script to publishers.
H.R.F Keating, author of The Perfect Murder and mystery reviewer for the Times of London, offers a concise commentary on the finest mystery books ever written. From Poe's tales of mystery and imagination to P. D. James's A Taste for Death , Keating delivers a highly-readable evaluation of 100 authors and their masterpieces. This collection is a must for all devoted mystery readers. "Something to offer almost everyone. If you are only just embarking on a life of crime fiction . . . a reliable guide."-- New York Times "Remarkably balanced and highly entertaining."-- Library Journal "Keating, himself a mystery writer of note, has compiled a truly standout survey . . .This is a gold mine of lively writing, sensible insights and easy-going erudition."-- Philadelphia Inquirer "Ideal browsing fare."-- Booklist
Gathering together hundreds of facts and foibles from the world of crime writing, a veteran mystery expert displays his knowledge of this genre