Private Eyes: A Writer's Guide to Private Investigators (The Howdunit Series)

Offers mystery writers information on how real private investigators work, and describes an actual case from first contact to solution

Bintliff, who has worked with the Arkansas State Police, the criminal investigations division of the Army, and the CIA, brings together an incredible amount of information on how police and other law enforcement agencies work. This latest addition to the "Howdunit" series from Writer's Digest Books gives writers authenic and detailed information to sift through and use in their work. Readers learn how police are trained, how they move through the ranks, what kind of equipment they use, and how they prepare for court. This is not a how-to-write-police-fiction book; rather, it is for writers who want help in making their police and law enforcement characters realistic. It also has possibilities as a reference source, providing such information as what the groups of numbers mean in a social security number. A good choice for most libraries. Blythe's book for writers of detective fiction gives detailed information about how real private investigators work. Some of the areas covered are how detectives get their licenses, acquire cases, gather evidence, and lead their personal lives. Included are many examples from real-life PIs. Scattered throughout the text are addresses, sample forms, and telephone numbers that writers can pursue for authentic detail in their writing. Each chapter ends with hints to help make the writer's detective credible. Both this book and its companion volume would be valuable additions to writing collections.
- Lisa J. Cochenet, Rhinelander Dist. Lib., Wis.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.