Writing Resources for
Mystery Novels, Romantic Suspense, and Thrillers
Welcome fiction writers! You’ve landed on one of my writing resources pages. This one is devoted to writers of Mystery novels, Romantic Suspense, and Thrillers.
The vast majority of novel writing titles, below, have been recommended to me by published Mystery writers and Thriller writers. You’ll notice that quite a few of these writing resources are part of the “Write’s Guide” series or the “Howdunit” series – both of which are excellent resources, and transcend the Mystery and Thriller genres. (Writer’s Guide titles can also be found at Writing Resources for Historical Writers.)
My plan is to continue updating this page as I become aware of new writing resources for writers of Mystery novels and Thrillers. If you have a writing resource or reference book in your personal library that you think is an absolute MUST READ for Mystery writers or Thriller writers, please email me. I would love to share your suggestions with my readers.
In the meantime, if you're writing Romantic Suspense, I have great news! You can learn how to start a Romance novel here, and you can get private coaching for your Romance writing, here.
Thank you for your help!
~ Adrienne deWolfe
You Can Write a Mystery
By Gillian Roberts
How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries:
The Art and Adventure of Sleuthing through the Past
By Kathy Lynn Emerson
Howdunit: How Crimes are Committed and Solved
Edited By John Boertlein
Amateur Detectives:
A Writer’s Guide to How Private Citizens Solve Criminal Cases
By Elaine Raco Chase and Anne Wingate, Ph.D.
Deadly Doses: A Writers Guide to Poisons
By Serita Deborah Stevens, RN, BSN
Scene of the Crime:
A Writer’s Guide to Crime Scene Investigation
By Ann Wingate
Armed and Dangerous:
A Writer’s Guide to Weapons
By Michael Newton
Body Trauma:
A Writer’s Guide to Wounds and Injuries
By David W. Page, M.D.
Malicious Intent:
A Writer’s Guide to How Murderers, Robbers, Rapists, & Other Criminals Think
By Sean P. MacTire
Police Procedural:
A Writer’s Guide to the Police and How They Work
By Russell Bintliff
Cause of Death:
A Writer’s Guide to Death, Murder, and Forensic Medicine
By Keith D. Wilson, M.D.
Code Blue:
A Writer’s Guide to Hospitals, Including the ER, OR, and ICU
By Dr. Keith Wilson and Dr. David Page
Order in the Court:
A Writer’s Guide to the Legal System
By David S. Mullally
Making Crime Pay:
A Writer’s Guide to Criminal Law, Evidence, and Procedure
By Andrea Campbell