What kinds of jobs do investigators perform? What tricks and tactics do they use? How do real investigators differ from those we see in novels and on TV? Two published mystery writers and a PI answer these questions--from the writer's perspective--and tell how to use this information in stories.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 2.0 / 5.0
Digger:
Hal Blythe and others' PRIVATE EYES for the Howdonit Series is a general overview of the profession. It is bland reading, but does give the writer some insight for further research. It is not a book to follow blindly when construction a mystery built around a PI protagonist.
At this date of fifteen years after publication it is due a major rewrite to update technology and techniques. If the time period fits your work it can help, because nothing is more frustrating for a reader than to find new... more info
People, this is NOT real life PI information:
After reading some of the other reviews, I am compelled to write again. This book contains almost no information relating to what really happens in a PI's life! The book is being marketed as a resource for mystery writers to show what goes on "behind the scenes" when working cases. I am here to tell you that if what the authors described really happened, the PI would likely find him or herself in court being sued and/or being placed under arrest for violating local, state, and Federal laws. I don't know... more info
Disappointing:
I have to say that I was really disappointed with this book. For the most part, the book is nothing more than stories of the personal experiences of a real PI. While real life stories can certainly help a writer, I would have perferred a little more facts regarding the legal aspects of private investigating and a little more information on private investigating in general instead of just mostly reading about one PI. I came away from this book not knowing much more than before I read it. I really wouldn't... more info
Skip This One:
Unless you just have to own every single book in the Howdunit Series, I'd really recommend skipping this one. It did help me out a little but, for the most part, I found the information contained in this book to be useless. The authors spend way too much time talking about real PIs and their experiences. It's as if the writers are saying that you should base your fictional PI and his experiences on the real ones in this book. Do the authors not realize that a person can be sued for that? The authors even... more info
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