Instructor:
Hallie Ephron is a New York Times bestselling author of 16 books, including 11 suspense novels and the Edgar-nominated Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel. Lee Child called it “the best how-to guide I have ever seen.”
In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly called her latest novel, Careful What You Wish For, “outstanding.” In a full-page review in TIME Magazine, Jamie Lee Curtis called it “thrilling and suspenseful.”
For twelve years, Hallie was the crime fiction book reviewer for The Boston Globe and won the American Crime Writers League award for book reviewing. Her Never Tell a Lie was adapted for film. Hallie teaches at writing workshops and conferences in the United States and internationally.
Course Description:
This workshop dissects how to structure a mystery novel that keeps readers turning the pages right up to the final reveal. In each session, we’ll examine best practices and analyze excerpts from published mystery novels. Participants will complete exercises that apply class content to their own work in progress.
Topics include:
· The power of suspense: giving a mystery novel forward momentum
· The mystery, and why solving it matters: STAKES
· Decision One: VIEWPOINT
· Structuring the story: Finding "Page One" and the "tent poles" (turning points)
· Maintaining momentum: Writing scenes that hook and grab
· Techniques for modulating suspense on the page
· Back stories they matter...and timing their reveals
Preparation:
Participants should have developed an idea for a mystery or suspense novel along with at least a rough outline or synopsis, and have an idea about the crime and what motivates the protagonist to solve it. Be prepared to write, share your writing with the class, and read and critique manuscript excerpts from others.
Please send your outline or synopsis (max 1000 words) by May 1, 2026 to admin.pww@wice-paris.org so your classmates and I can read it in advance of our week together and be prepared to discuss our observations. Please include your masterclass name with your materials.
Agent Consultations:
Available exclusively to participants who have enrolled in a masterclass, you can register for one or two agent consultations for an additional fee. More information to come.
Cancellation Policy:
- Full refund through 15 April 2026 minus 100€ admin fee
- Half refund through 30 April 2026 minus 100€ admin fee
- Sorry, no refund possible after 30 April 2026
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, PWW reserves the right to replace an instructor.
Photo credit: © Naomi Touger
