Writing the Murder — ed. Dan Coxon & Richard V. Hirst

“A wide-ranging collection of essays by an eclectic mix of contributors, Writing the Murder offers plenty of information that will be new to even seasoned crime fans. A really interesting read.”
— Martin Edwards, author of the Rachel Savernake mysteries and The Life of Crime

"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

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.

More in this series:

Writing the Uncanny

Writing the Future