How to write a mystery that will knock them dead

Good mysteries are also good novels. They have memorable characters, an exciting plot, lively dialogue and writing that "shows" instead of "tells". You can build muscle in all of these areas by taking CWN online fiction courses.

How mysteries are special:

The plot is centered around a crime, normally murder. The novel's central conflict is between someone trying to solve the crime versus the criminal's efforts to cover his or her tracks. At the same time, a mystery is often set up as a kind of puzzle or game for readers, who analyze clues and try to solve the mystery themselves.

The main character is normally the person trying to solve the crime. This may be an actual detective, or private citizen who gets involved for personal reasons. The best mystery writers have sleuths (professional or amateur) who come alive on the page and often reappear in multiple books.

The authors use descriptive writing to create suspense and, often, an atmosphere of danger. In addition to bringing readers into the story, "showing-instead-of-telling" techniques allow the readers the fun of finding clues on their own and developing their own suspicions.