Best Mystery Writing Reference Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Mystery writing is a genre that requires a unique set of skills and techniques. Fortunately, there are many reference books available to help writers improve their craft. Some popular titles include "The Anatomy of a Mystery" by William G. Tapply, which provides a step-by-step guide to crafting a compelling mystery story, and "How to Write Mysteries" by Shannon OCork, which offers practical advice on everything from creating believable characters to crafting an engaging plot. Other useful resources include "The Crime Writer's Handbook" by Douglas Wynn, which includes tips on researching and writing crime fiction, and "The Mystery Writers Handbook" by Sue Grafton, which offers insights from some of the most successful mystery writers in the industry.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

The Official Disney Parks Cookbook Cover #TOP 1
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook
ftb score rating icon 9.8
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book Cover #TOP 2
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Deep Learning (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series) Cover #TOP 3
Deep Learning (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series)
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Mystery Writing Reference Books

#TOP 1

The Official Disney Parks Cookbook

Brandon, Pam
Feb 7, 2023
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook Cover
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault

The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault is a collection of official Disney parks recipes that allows readers to recreate some of the best dishes from Disney theme parks and resorts in their own kitchens. The book features 101 tried-and-true recipes from across the years, including appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and even joyful libations that have wowed guests of the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line ships, and Disney Vacation Club resorts. The cookbook enchants with personalized notes from the chefs who created and enhanced them, mouthwatering food photos, and helpful hints for easy preparation. Overall, this cookbook is a must-have for any Disney fan and home chef looking to add some magic to their meals.

The Bob's Burgers Burger Book

Bouchard, Loren
Hyperion Avenue
Feb 2, 2021
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book Cover
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers

The Bob's Burgers Burger Book is a New York Times Bestseller that offers seventy-five original, practical recipes for fans to eat Bob Belcher's specialty Burgers of the Day. The book showcases the entire Belcher family, including beloved characters such as Teddy, Jimmy Pesto Jr., and Aunt Gayle. The recipes come from the fan-created blog "The Bob’s Burger Experiment," and the book is fully illustrated with all-new art in the series’s signature style. The Wall Street Journal calls it a "humorous but hands-on guide to offbeat burgers that will add variety to routine summer grilling." Overall, this book is a fun and unique addition to any meat cooking book collection.

Deep Learning (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series)

Goodfellow, Ian
Bengio, Yoshua
Courville, Aaron
The MIT Press
Nov 18, 2016
Deep Learning (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series) Cover
Deep Learning (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series)

The book "Deep Learning" is a comprehensive guide to the mathematical and conceptual background of deep learning, including techniques used in industry and research perspectives. It covers a broad range of topics such as linear algebra, probability theory, numerical computation, machine learning, and more. The book also offers research perspectives, covering theoretical topics such as autoencoders, Monte Carlo methods, and deep generative models. This book is a valuable resource for both undergraduate and graduate students planning careers in industry or research, as well as software engineers who want to begin using deep learning in their products or platforms.

Codex Seraphinianus: 40th Anniversary Edition

Serafini, Luigi
Oct 12, 2021
Codex Seraphinianus: 40th Anniversary Edition Cover
Codex Seraphinianus: 40th Anniversary Edition

The Codex Seraphinianus: 40th Anniversary Edition is a beloved cult classic that features a visual encyclopedia of an unknown world written in an unknown language. The book has fueled much debate over its meaning, but its appeal is obvious: it is a most exquisite artifact, blurring the line between art book and art object. The special edition includes a new design, new cover illustration, and 15 never-before-seen drawings. With its surreal illustrations and made-up language, Codex Seraphinianus is the perfect book to drive a reader mad with delight and frustration. It feels like a biology textbook designed by Salvador Dalí on acid. Overall, this book is a must-have for fans and collectors of Luigi Serafini's art.

#TOP 5

Star Trek: Picard: The Art and Making of the Series

Fordham, Joe
Sep 19, 2023
Star Trek: Picard: The Art and Making of the Series Cover
Star Trek: Picard: The Art and Making of the Series

The Art and Making of the Series is a must-have for all Star Trek fans. This book is an in-depth exploration of Star Trek: Picard, a three-season spin-off of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The book explores the story of Picard in later years, as he faces old enemies such as the Borg, takes command of a new starship, and ultimately reconciles with his past. The book features interviews with showrunners, writers, cast, and crew, discussing concepts and character arcs, and explores makeup, costumes, art, and visual effects. This beautifully illustrated hardback, featuring behind-the-scenes and on-set photography, and a range of production art, is an in-depth exploration of a hugely popular and seminal Star Trek character.

100 Slopes of a Lifetime

Megroz, Gordy
Nov 23, 2021
100 Slopes of a Lifetime Cover
100 Slopes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Ski and Snowboard Destinations

100 Slopes of a Lifetime is the ultimate guide for skiers and snowboarders looking for their next adrenaline-fueled adventure. With 100 experiences for all levels, from beginner to expert, readers will discover the world's most breathtaking and challenging slopes. The book includes stunning National Geographic photography, expert advice, and insider travel tips, making it a must-have for any winter sports enthusiast. Gordy Megroz, a correspondent and former editor for Outside magazine, has done an excellent job compiling a comprehensive and innovative guide that showcases the world's best ski and snowboarding destinations. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the greatest snow-play adventures the world has to offer.

Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An Introduction

Sutton, Richard S.
Barto, Andrew G.
Bradford Books
Nov 13, 2018
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An Introduction Cover
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An Introduction (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series)

The second edition of Reinforcement Learning provides a comprehensive and updated introduction to one of the most active research areas in artificial intelligence. Written by Richard Sutton and Andrew Barto, this book offers clear explanations of the key ideas and algorithms of reinforcement learning. The second edition includes new topics, updated coverage, and new chapters on reinforcement learning's relationships to psychology and neuroscience. With a focus on core online learning algorithms, this book is an excellent resource for machine learning researchers seeking to fully understand the fundamentals of learning agents.

#TOP 8

Southern Cooking, Global Flavors

Gilbert, Chef Kenny
Kavanaugh, Nan
Smalls, Alexander
Apr 11, 2023
Southern Cooking, Global Flavors Cover
Southern Cooking, Global Flavors

Southern Cooking, Global Flavors is a unique cookbook that blends traditional Southern dishes with international flavors. Chef Kenny Gilbert offers over 100 recipes that showcase iconic Southern dishes with a twist, incorporating ingredients and techniques from around the world. From shawarma-spiced lamb meatloaf to truffle-gouda grits, this book offers a fresh take on classic Southern cuisine. Gilbert also provides tips and techniques to help readers elevate their cooking game. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to add some variety and spice to their Southern cooking.

#TOP 9

Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande. Símil piel canela

Reina Valera Revisada 1960
ORIGEN
Jan 19, 2021
Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande. Símil piel canela Cover
Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande. Símil piel canela, cremallera, tamaño manual / Spanish Bible RVR 1960. Handy Size, Large Print, Leathersoft, Brown Zip

This Spanish Bible RVR 1960, with its large print and beautiful color images of the Holy Land, is perfect for personal use or as a gift. The words of Christ are highlighted in red and there are over 10,000 cross-references, making it easy to find and understand biblical passages. The durable and lightweight brown imitation leather cover with a zipper closure makes it perfect for daily reading or taking to church. Overall, the Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande is a great addition to any Christian's library.

100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime

Smothers, Marcy Carriker
Oct 25, 2022
100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime Cover
100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime: Magical Experiences From Around the World

100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime: Magical Experiences From Around the World is a beautifully illustrated treasury that features 100 beloved and little-known Disney adventures from around the world. From dining with your favorite characters to a tour of the Galapagos Islands, the book offers a lifetime of magical, memorable experiences. The book also includes insider stories, pilgrimages to historic Disney sites, and inspiration for planning your next Disney vacation. Overall, this book is a must-have for any Disney enthusiast looking to explore new adventures and make unforgettable memories.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the 7 elements of mystery?

A story that actively engages readers in solving the mystery (or in trying to piece together the narrative threads) needs at least 7 elements:. A strong hook.Active reader involvement in piecing together information.Red herrings.Suspenseful dialogue.Effective, descriptive mood and language.Well-structured chapters.

2. What should I write a mystery book about?

How to write a mystery - getting ideas. Start with real-life crime. Read the news, research crimes that actually happened, and then imagine a story around them.Start with real people. Think of someone you know and imagine what might cause him or her to commit murder. ... Start with a fictional character.

Editor's Notes

During our mystery writing reference book research, we found 1,200+ mystery writing reference book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,016 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mystery writing reference books list. We found that most customers choose mystery writing reference books with an average price of $18.27.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.