Best Books on Writing and Editing Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Crime Fiction
1. 
Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel: How to Knock 'em Dead with Style
by:
Hallie Ephron
4.15 avg rating — 295 ratings 
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Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction 3.97 avg rating — 686 ratings
6. 
The Storytellers: Straight Talk from the World's Most Acclaimed Suspense & Thriller Authors
by:
Mark Rubinstein
4.01 avg rating — 137 ratings 7. 
How To Write Killer Historical Mysteries: The Art and Adventure of Sleuthing Through the Past 3.82 avg rating — 102 ratings
8. 
Books, Crooks, and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure
by:
Leslie Budewitz
4.39 avg rating — 41 ratings 
11. 
How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide from Inspiration to Finished Manuscript
by:
James N. Frey
3.93 avg rating — 525 ratings 
13. 
Cause of Death : A Writer's Guide to Death, Murder and Forensic Medicine (Howdunit Series)
by:
Keith D. Wilson
3.90 avg rating — 251 ratings 
15. 
Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel Revised and Expanded Edition: The Complete Guide to Mystery, Suspense, and Crime
by:
Hallie Ephron
4.35 avg rating — 189 ratings 17. 
Private Eyes: A Writer's Guide to Private Investigating (Howdunit Series)
by:
Hal Blythe
3.73 avg rating — 79 ratings 18. 
400 Things Cops Know: Street-Smart Lessons from a Veteran Patrolman
by:
Adam Plantinga
4.01 avg rating — 1,252 ratings 
19. 
Author for Life or for a Living?: How to Stay Sane & Alive when Everything & Everyone Brings you Down: Manifesto for Real Writers
by:
Cristina G.
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings 19. 
The Scream Writer's Handbook: How to Write a Terrifying Screenplay in 10 Bloody Steps
by:
Thomas Fenton
3.73 avg rating — 49 ratings 
19. 
Story Like a Journalist: A Textbook / Workbook for Novelists
by:
Amber Royer
4.47 avg rating — 17 ratings 19. 
The Novel Editing Workbook: 105 Tricks & Tips for Revising Your Fiction Manuscript
by:
Kris Spisak
4.41 avg rating — 44 ratings 19. 
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
by:
Lee Child
4.14 avg rating — 732 ratings 19. 
29. 
Writing a Killer Thriller: An Editor's Guide to Writing Compelling Fiction
by:
Jodie Renner
3.92 avg rating — 283 ratings 29. 
Bloody Murder: From the Detective Story to the Crime Novel
by:
Julian Symons
3.80 avg rating — 223 ratings 
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Writing Dark Stories: How to Write Horror and Other Disturbing Short Stories (Writer's Craft Book 6)
by:
Rayne Hall
4.10 avg rating — 209 ratings 
34. 
Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers
by:
Marta McDowell
3.48 avg rating — 515 ratings 
36. 
Scenes and Sequels: How to Write Page-Turning Fiction (1)
by:
Mike Klaassen
3.91 avg rating — 64 ratings 
38. 
Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End
by:
Karl Iglesias
4.27 avg rating — 687 ratings 40. 
The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
by:
John Truby
4.25 avg rating — 7,030 ratings 41. 
Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 1)
by:
Rayne Hall
4.13 avg rating — 509 ratings 
43. 
How to Write a Damn Good Thriller: A Step-by-Step Guide for Novelists and Screenwriters
by:
James N. Frey
3.81 avg rating — 314 ratings 44. ![Don't Murder Your Mystery: 24 Fiction-Writing Techniques to Save Your Manuscript from Turning Up D.O.A. [Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction Book]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347881056i/644169._SX100_.jpg)
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From a Cop's Viewpoint: Investigations 101 (Law Enforcement 101, #1)
by:
M.A. Taylor
4.19 avg rating — 21 ratings 
52. 
The Writer's Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction
by:
Benjamin Sobieck
4.30 avg rating — 142 ratings 53. 
Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats
by:
Jane K. Cleland
4.06 avg rating — 530 ratings 54. 
55. 
Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime Scene Investigation (Howdunit Series)
by:
Anne Wingate
3.88 avg rating — 197 ratings 
57. 
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered
by:
D.P. Lyle
3.87 avg rating — 256 ratings 58. 
Modus Operandi: A Writer's Guide to How Criminals Work (Howdunit Book 1) 3.80 avg rating — 81 ratings
60. 
Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime Scene Investigation (Howdunit Book 2)
by:
Anne Wingate
4.14 avg rating — 7 ratings 61. 
Missing Persons: A Writer's Guide to Finding the Lost, the Abducted and the Escaped (Howdunit Series)
by:
Fay Faron
3.69 avg rating — 72 ratings 
63. 
Malicious Intent : A Writer's Guide to How Murderers, Robbers, Rapists and Other Criminals Think
by:
Sean P. MacTire
3.59 avg rating — 83 ratings 64. 
Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Writer's Guide to Investigators and Investigation Techniques 3.72 avg rating — 78 ratings
66. 
Amateur Detectives: A Writer's Guide to How Private Citizens Solve Criminal Cases 3.46 avg rating — 65 ratings
67. 
The Crime Writer's Guide to Police Practice and Procedure
by:
Michael O'Byrne
4.26 avg rating — 121 ratings