Product Description

A complete reference source for writers of TV and film mysteries, thrillers, action/adventure, romantic suspense, and psychological mysteries. This complete guide features accurate information about every aspect of crime, from weapons to police departments to crime jargon to standard operating procedures for criminals. Covers numerous aspects of crime and outlines general rules of thumb for writing. Also details specific policies and procedures of various law enforcement agencies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #198182 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-10
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 287 pages

Synopsis
This book is a complete reference source for writers of TV and film mysteries, thrillers, action/adventure, romantic suspense, and psychological mysteries. This complete guide features accurate information about every aspect of crime, from weapons to police departments to crime jargon to standard operating procedures for criminals. It covers numerous aspects of crime and outlines general rules of thumb for writing. It also details specific policies and procedures of various law enforcement agencies. It is the perfect companion book for all writers looking to add crackling accuracy and tension to their crime novels or scripts. It contains updated information and Foreword by Sgt Rey Verdugo, Top Criminal Investigator and Technical Consultant for Film and TV. It is an invaluable reference with practical material road-tested in crime writing workshops given by Roth and Verdugo.

About the Author
By Martin Roth

Customer Reviews

More American than has been suggested
A UK version of this book (with separate sections for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) would be indispensable - however, in this volume, after an opening chapter on crime itself - portions of which are not USA-specific - there's a chapter on criminals, much of which is devoted to organised crime in the US, followed by ones on the police (American), investigations (American), the courts (American), prisons (American) and terminology (largely American).

I shall certainly turn to this book if I ever write a crime novel set in Rapid City, South Dakota, but for now it's going to sit on my shelf.

The Crime Writer's Complete Reference Guide
Summary: Incredibly in-depth, well laid out, but slightly disappointing.

This book is well written, well set out and easy to follow, with everything from types of criminal offences, different courts, through to police and crime slang. However, the only downside of this book is the fact that it is based entirely on the American legal system. Don't let this put you off if you need to write something based on the British system, though, as all the other sections are worth a look at.