Ask A Mystery Novelist : 1A Writing a book can be hard. Add in the twists and turns of a mystery... Where to even start?!

Three authors join us today to help us cozy up to confusing capers. In the latest edition of our "Ask A" series, we're asking mystery novelists about how they mystify and confound amateur sleuths and gumshoes the world over.

From the red herrings to the smoking guns, how do they craft their whodunits?

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

1A

Ask A Mystery Novelist

Ask A Mystery Novelist

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Antique books line the shelves at Maggs Bros antiquarian booksellers in London. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Antique books line the shelves at Maggs Bros antiquarian booksellers in London.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Writing a book can be hard. Add in the twists and turns of a mystery... Where to even start?!

Three authors join us today to help us cozy up to confusing capers. In the latest edition of our "Ask A" series, we're asking mystery novelists about how they mystify and confound amateur sleuths and gumshoes the world over.

From the red herrings to the smoking guns, how do they craft their whodunits?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.