Are there any good websites where I could research storylines for my mystery novels - murder weapons and methods, injuries, cause of death - all that stuff. Or maybe you know of books I could buy that might be useful?
2007-07-14 03:11:29 · 6 answers · asked by Philomena M 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Well, Agatha Christie is probably the queen of murder/crime mystery books.
in terms of research for storylines...that would be stealing from another book. What you need is to pick specifics for your book and do the research that's apropriate. If your main character is a coroner, you do medical research, etc.
Bear in mind, people write what they know.
2007-07-14 03:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by lilykdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try reading books by (or about) one of the many pathologists that are around.
I have the books 'Bernard Spilsbury' by Douglas G Browne and Tom Tullett and 'Unnatural death' by Michael Baden MD for instance but there are a number of books similar to these around. They will give you crime, methods of killing, weapons, detection methods etc., and would be extremely useful for your purpose
2007-07-14 13:55:48 · answer #2 · answered by Mike W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are author's guides to poisons, motives, and the like. Here are some of the titles:
Howdunit: How Crimes Are Committed and Solved (Howdunit) by John Boertlein
Missing Persons: A Writer's Guide to Finding the Lost, the Abducted and the Escaped (Howdunit Series) by Fay Faron
Cause of Death : A Writer's Guide to Death, Murder and Forensic Medicine (Howdunit Series) by Keith D. Wilson
Modus Operandi: A Writer's Guide to How Criminals Work (Howdunit) by Mauro V. Corvasce
Police Procedural: A Writer's Guide to the Police and How They Work (Howdunit) by Russell Bintliff
Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime-Scene Investigations (Howdunit Series) by Anne Wingate
The Crime Writer's Reference Guide: 1001 Tips for Writing the Perfect Murder (Paperback)
by Martin Roth (Author)
Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America by Mystery Writers of America
Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Mystery Writers by D. P. Lyle
Body Trauma: A Writer's Guide to Wounds and Injuries by David W., M.D. Page
Armed and Dangerous: A Writer's Guide to Weapons (Howdunit Series) by Michael Newton
Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons (Howdunit Series) by Serita Deborah Stevens
Murder One: A Writer's Guide to Homicide (Howdunit Series) by Mauro V. Corvasce
Malicious Intent: A Writer's Guide to How Murderers, Robbers, Rapists and Other Criminal Think (Howdunit) by Sean P. MacTire
There are likely many more out there, but this is a good start. Check www.amazon.com for more information on these titles.
2007-07-14 10:34:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not much as far as researching story lines, but you maybe you can get some use out of these.
http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/index.shtml
(Includes recommended reading)
http://www.crimeandclues.com/
(Causes of death, reasons, and methods. Add this one to your favorites!)
As far as books go, I'll chime in with Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel
Best of luck!
2007-07-14 12:45:04 · answer #4 · answered by Brandy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try the three sites below - lots of good links to helpful sites.
For How to - go to the Amazon link - number 4
2007-07-14 10:17:13 · answer #5 · answered by johnslat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds weird but a friend of mine was looking for the same info and she went to the local sheriff's dept. and coroner. They were a great help and didn't look at her like a serial killer in the making :)
2007-07-14 12:46:28 · answer #6 · answered by heklheraa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋