Writing a Killer Thriller by Jodie Renner, a well-respected freelance fiction editor, is a worthy addition to any writer’s library. Filled to the brim with useful information for aspiring and published authors, the book is broken into nine parts:

1. What’s a Thriller, Anyway?
2. Design a Killer Plot
3. Create Compelling Characters
4. Hook’em & Keep’em With Tension and Intrigue
5. Bring Your Characters to Life on the Page
6. Sustain the Suspense
7. Revise for Success
8. Wrap-Up & Checklists
9. Other Related Info

Renner’s advice, while sometimes repetitive, is spot on. And her use of book excerpts to illustrate points, as well as quotes from industry experts, made for an engaging and enlightening read. Writing a Killer Thriller was a quick, powerful book that provided me with a behind-the-scenes view of what goes into writing a top-notch thriller. If you’re a writer, make sure to add it to your reading list today.