Paul Gitsham
  • Welcome!
  • News
  • Books
  • Blogs
    • Writing Tips
    • Recommended
  • Newsletter

Writing Tips Blog

#TuesdayTip
Newsletter
Picture
Breaking News!
DCI Warren Jones 9, Web Of Lies, Available to Pre-order!
​Click Here To Visit My Writing Page (opens in a new window).
​Free Download!
Papering Over The Cracks - A DCI Warren Jones short story
(Includes a sneak preview of Web Of Lies)
Kindle Monthly Deal!
Time To Kill 99p for all of January!
Picture
Picture

TuesdayTips127

6/12/2022

0 Comments

 

Book Review.
Crime Writing:

How To Write The Science.
Brian Price

Picture
Buy From Amazon.
Today's Tuesday Tip is a book review - Crime Writing: How To Write The Science by Brian Price.
Brian Price is the author of the DC Mel Cotton series. He is also a retired environmental chemist and biologist. In this gem of a book, he sets out to provide a manual to help non-scientists write science in a compelling and accurate manner.
I picked up a copy of this book some time ago, and have been dipping in and out of it since I bought it. It is a fantastic resource, and one that's well-worth the investment.
The breadth of topics covered is exceptionally broad. As one would expect, there is a lot of forensic science, but the book goes well beyond that. For example, the first two chapters cover poisons. This is an area in which Agatha Christie was famous for her in-depth knowledge, however Price goes beyond slipping someone a mickey or poisoning their cream tea. He covers a wide-range of toxic substances, including some common industrial and environmental poisons. A third chapter deals with ways of inducing unconsciousness.


I hang around on a number of writers' forums and how to render a victim insensate is a frequent source of both discussion and frustration. You'd be amazed how many people still think that a bash to the back of the head will produce temporary unconsciousness, from which the hero will awaken, sometime later, with a sore head and 'a mild concussion'. He discusses a number of different substances or methods to stun someone, and dispels the many myths perpetrated in crime fiction.
Later chapters deal with explosives and firearms, methods for killing a person and the all-important disposal of the body and (hopefully) getting away with it.


The reason I recommend this book so highly is its accessibility. Price makes no assumptions about the reader's prior scientific knowledge. Sections are short and snappy, and he includes copious mini case-studies, from both fact and fiction. He also includes practical and legal issues - for example, it's all very well coming up with a fiendish and scientifically plausible way to murder your character, but have you considered how likely it is the killer will actually get their hands on a controlled substance that only medical professionals have access to?
The book is designed as a study guide, and so there is an extensive bibliography at the back pointing towards original sources and further reading, and it is fully indexed.
This isn't a book designed to be read cover-to-cover, rather it is for dipping in and out of, and picking up as a quick primer on a topic; if nothing else it will give you the necessary keywords to search the internet in more detail. It's primary purpose is to introduce the basics and dispel some myths, hopefully helping writers avoid mistakes or perpetuating misconceptions. As a teacher, I would heartily recommend this book to students for its clarity, and as an author, would recommend it to any crime writers, fledgling or experienced.


One last thing. As a science teacher and experienced writer, much of what was in the book wasn't entirely new to me. Yet I still found it a source of inspiration. Flicking through the contents pages, I found myself drawn to random topics or fascinating case studies. And you know what, I wouldn't be surprised if my next books have some plot points inspired by what I've read!


You can learn more about writing science accurately and contact Brian Price at www.crimewriterscience.co.uk. You can read more about Brian's writing by visiting his website https://www.brianpriceauthor.co.uk/.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    To increase the range of topics on this blog, I am inviting Guest Bloggers to share their writing tips.
    If you are an author and would like to be featured, please email me. 

    Author

    Paul Gitsham is the writer of the DCI Warren Jones series.

    I don't claim to be an expert, but after more than 10 books, I think I've picked up a few things along the way.

    All material copyright Paul Gitsham (c) 2020-23.

    Please feel free to share, but you must include a link back to this site and credit Paul Gitsham.

    RSS Feed

    Useful Topics
    • Reviews of Writing Books​
    • ​Writing Exercises/ Writers' Block Tips​
    • ​Interviews
    ​

    Categories

    All
    Author Interview
    Backstory
    Block Buster
    Book Review
    Character Voice
    #ConversationsWithTheirCreations
    DCI Jones
    DCI Warren Jones
    DNA Evidence
    Editing Hacks
    Fantasy
    Forensics
    GB Williams
    Geraldine Steel
    Guest Blog
    Historical Fiction
    #JackReacher
    Jason Monaghan
    Jonathan Wilkins
    Kill Your Darlings
    #LeeChild
    Leigh Russell
    Mobile Phones
    Modern Technology
    MS Word
    Musings
    Police Procedure
    Poppy
    #RecommendedRead
    Research
    Scrivener
    Social Media
    Stephen King
    Stuart Field
    #TuesdayTips
    UK Policing
    WhatsInAName
    Writer's Block
    Writing Craft
    Writing Tips


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020

    Disclosure: I am a member of both the Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliates programs, meaning that I get a small commission everytime a book is purchased using links from my site.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Welcome!
  • News
  • Books
  • Blogs
    • Writing Tips
    • Recommended
  • Newsletter