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Guy Saville
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The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing Paperback – October 2, 2012

by Michelle Spring (Author), Laurie R. King (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
See all formats and editions
The Arvon Foundation runs professional writing courses by published writers and provides expert tuition and creative support. The Arvon Book of Crime Writing captures the essence of Arvon teaching into a practical handbook for writers, packed with tips and advice from leading novelists as well as reflections on the genre itself and practical instruction on great storytelling. Contributors include Lee Child, P. D. James, and Ian Rankin.The Arvon Book of Crime Writing is divided into three sections:Part 1 Essays on critical issues in the genre Part 2 Guest Writers-twenty-five contributors offering advice and tips Part 3 How to Write Crime
Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Writers’ and Artists’ Companions
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    A&C Black
  5. Publication date
    October 2, 2012
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1408131226
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1408131220
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This well organized, welcoming volume will be of interest to writers who are embarking upon writing crime fiction. Readers of the genre might also enjoy finding out more about the process that their favorite writers go through to create gripping works of mystery and suspense. The volume works as a reference resource, to identify specific items of interest, but could also be read from cover to cover. (Annette Haldeman, Dept. of Legislative Services, Maryland General Assembly, USA Library Journal)

Book Description

A professional handbook from tutors at the prestigious Arvon Foundation writing course with contributions from leading crime writers.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ A&C Black; First Edition (October 2, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1408131226
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1408131220
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

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Guy Saville

Guy Saville

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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars So You Want To Write a Crime or Thriller Novel? Buy This!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
A primer on how to write crime and thriller novels, this book takes you through the process, and gives you pointers from the best in the business. A definite thumbs-up!
One person found this helpful
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Ewe Paik Leong
1.0 out of 5 stars Not genre-specific enough and a very weak chapter on "Plotting"
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
If you own Writer's Digest's "Write Great Fiction" series, like I do, or a collection of similar books, you will regret buying this book. Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 1 seemed to promise great stuff with introductory discussions about crime and crime writing. But further down the line, things start to get watered down from crime-specific tips to general guidelines on storycraft applicable to almost any genre. The chapter on "Plotting" (only 13 pages) was a wishy-washy discussion on the "organic approach" vs the "orderly approach" (pantser vs outliner). It was a far cry from my expectation of solid nuts-and- bolts on plotting. Which brings me to my recommendation. For an excellent and detailed step-by-step treatment on plotting a thriller and mystery, go for James Frey's "How to Write a Damn Good Mystery" and "How to Write a Damn Good Thriller". Don't get both, buy either, as there's duplication of material.) "Part II: Tips and Takes" did not keep me from nearly dozing off. For example, Lee Child's essay in large part discussed that homo sapiens out-survived the Neanderthals because the former were able to communicate. Then story-telling over a roaring fire in caves was invented, blah, blah, blah. Two other contributors defended the relevancy of the locked-room mystery (for which British writer Agatha Christie was famous for) in current times. Maybe they being British had something to do with their opinions. "Part 3: Write on: Getting Your Story Across" is near-useless to published writers. Only the chapter "Distinctive Elements of Crime Fiction" hit the bull's eye on what this book was supposed to deliver. But overall, as a touted how-to on crime and thriller writing, this book misses its target by a mile!
8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

james manning
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
From 2015-2018 I studied Writing for Stage & Screen at Regent's University London. I think books like these are handy to help with my screenplays.
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Sarah A
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
Lots of positive guidance, hints and tips and contact points. Highly recommended.
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Mark Treacher
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Advice and Personal Perspective
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have read a vast number of How To Write books and have a pretty jaundiced view of them. However, I must say that this is an exception. It's a cleverly written guide to the genre with plenty of practical advice and is made real through a number of personal perspectives. This is just the type of guide one needs on the shelf.
4 people found this helpful
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Eh
1.0 out of 5 stars Not good for thrillers, might be ok for crime.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
It's all about crime, I write thrillers. What a waste of money. I really disagree with some of the advice too, it applies to crime but most of it is totally wrong for thrillers. Regret buying and resent the misleading title, they should change it.
4 people found this helpful
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ReviewMonkey
2.0 out of 5 stars Would not recommend.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Another one of those books that tries to tell you insightful lessons that aren't really that insightful.
Followed the advice in this book and it did not improve the quality of my writing or my outlook.
Would not recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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