A smart, practical, and often funny guide for those who aspire to write mysteries, Sleuth reveals the secrets of the genre by a bestselling and award-winning author. Gail Bowen shows how to map out a plot, plant page-turning clues, develop fully rounded characters, and create a crime scene. She also looks at the power of story to communicate truths about the human condition. Digging into the works of Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin, Louise Penny, and a score of others, Bowen explores how the best mystery writers keep readers up at night.