The Elements of Mystery Fiction
Writing the Modern Whodunit
By William G. Tapply

       In the introduction to the second edition, Tapply mentions those who used the first edition of this book with their students have told him not to change a word, but pointed out the first edition failed to address certain issues. With a little help from others, Tapply addresses these issues (listed below) in the newest chapters (Part II: 12-19) of the second edition.

Pros and cons of writing a mystery series verses a standalone thriller
Collaborating on a novel
Why everybody insists an author have an agent
Promoting a published mystery
Recognizing the odds of getting one's book in print

      In the introduction associated with the first edition, Tapply says that he wrote and published mysteries "without consciously examining the process or analyzing its elements." He felt it was a "profound handicap." This book is his "attempt to isolate and analyze those elements, to identify the variables that make the difference between success and failure, and to help you write publishable mystery fiction."

      Novice or experienced, everyone can learn something about writing a mystery in Part I. Tapply addresses:

• The elements of a mystery
• The protagonist
• The lineup of villains, victims, suspects and other characters
• Finding a point of view
• The setting
• Getting it started (narrative hook)
• Structuring the story (building tension)
• Building conflict to make scenes work
• Dialogue
• Rewriting and revising.

      Tapply is known for his Brady Coyne mystery series. He has also written eight outdoor nonfiction books. He uses his own work and others as examples. The difference in this book compared to other published authors’ how-to writing books I've read, is that Tapply teaches without going on and on and on and on about his own success, thus neglecting the lessons. This is one of the reasons I'm recommending it. The other is the new chapters recently added. Now, it's a complete how-to on writing a mystery.