Writing the Murder: Essays in Crafting Crime Fiction

'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.