How to write a twist that will pleasantly surprise your readers

Posted on January 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We can all agree that we’d prefer to leave earth-shattering developments to fiction rather than reality. And fortunately, that at...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Writing advice

Don't neglect one part of your mystery in favor of another

Posted on December 27, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The detective and the crime, in a mystery novel, are like peanut butter and jelly. Each is intriguing on its...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Zara Altair

Ian Rankin to complete a novel drafted by the “godfather of tartan noir”

Posted on December 11, 2020 at 11:57 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Novelist Ian Rankin eulogized fellow Scottish crime writer William McIlvanney as his hero, upon the latter’s death in 2015. This...

Categories: Today in Books

Tagged As: Mystery, The Guardian

Author Q&A: Kassandra Lamb

Posted on December 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Mystery, thriller, and romantic suspense author Kassandra Lamb's photo and website URL.

Today we're interviewing author Kassandra Lamb, who writes mysteries and thrillers (and romantic suspense under the pen name of Jessica Dale).

Categories: Author Interview

Tagged As: Author interview, Mystery, Romance

Author Q&A: Lynda Filler

Posted on December 3, 2020 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Today we're interviewing author Lynda Filler, who writes mystery/suspense and contemporary romance novels as well as memoirs.

Categories: Author Interview

Tagged As: Author interview, Memoir, Mystery, Romance

Zara Altair: Challenge your detective's morals to deepen your story

Posted on October 29, 2020 at 3:16 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Solving the crime shouldn’t be the only challenge your mystery novel’s protagonist faces. Zara Altair suggests giving your detective a...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Mystery, Zara Altair

Which Agatha Christie novel should you read?

Posted on October 28, 2020 at 4:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We’d venture to guess that most of our readers have read at least one Agatha Christie novel in their lifetime....

Categories: Today in Books

Tagged As: Classic literature, Mystery, The New York Times

Author Q&A: Christa Nardi

Posted on October 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Cozy mystery, teen, and YA mystery writer Christa Nardi's photo and website URL.

Today we're interviewing Christa Nardi, who writes in the cozy mystery, teen and young adult mystery genres.

Categories: Author Interview

Tagged As: Author interview, Mystery, Young adult literature

The differences between mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels

Posted on October 25, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

So your novel has unanswered questions and heightened tensions. Does that make it a mystery, thriller, or suspense novel? Zara...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Thriller, Zara Altair

How to keep your mystery's momentum going

Posted on September 18, 2020 at 3:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Does your mystery feel saggy in the middle? Zara Altair says that’s common — and can be fixed or avoided....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Zara Altair