Private Eyes: A Writer's Guide to Private Investigating

Howdunit Series

by Hal Blythe, Charlie Sweet, John Landreth

Offers mystery writers information on how real private investigators work, and describes an actual case from first contact to solution

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction, Research, Mystery

198 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Ethan Hulbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had another book in the Howdunit Series that I bought along with this one, and I didn't like that one so much, but wanted to donate them together if I was gonna get rid of them both, so I had to read this one. Surprisingly, it was a lot better than the first one, but still only good enough for 2.5 stars... rounded up to 3 I suppose.

First, it's from the 90s, so cell phones, internet, whatever, none of that exists. So, product of its time of course, but the usefulness in today's age is obviously... not there.

Mostly this seemed like an excuse to tell all the amazing stories of John Landreth, a private investigator that the two authors went to for help and I guess contributed so much that they made him the third author. By the end of the book I found myself doubting that John Landreth REALLY did ALL those spectacular things. This book just seemed like self promotion.

There were a lot of things that were basically like "authors get guns wrong a lot, so even if you hate guns, research them!" like... yes... but I thought this book was going to provide that research, not just tell me to look in other places... oh cool another John hero story instead. Oh wow let's give him the whole last two chapters just to tell a heroic story he did ending with a biting witty comeback, and then just print his whole report as an appendix. OKAY I GET IT.

Still, it was engagingly written, it wasn't BAD, but it just wasn't great. I would never use this book as a reference if I were writing a story about an investigator. So, not as bad as the first one, but I will end up donating them together anyway.

[Robert Bagnall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t want to be too condemnatory, as it’s hardly the authors’ fault that the internet came along, but it is worth noting that, because of our Information Age, this has not aged well. That aside, the general principles are good, if erring on the side of egg-sucking, but if this has stopped a wannabe simply making shit up, it’s done some sort of job. The ‘Myers Case’ at the end is a high point, bringing everything together in a typically untypical real-life case.

[Tanyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational, yet fun. Could be more of a day in the life of, but i'll surely buy it in the future.

[Adam Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating book written by two novelists and an actual private investigator on all the details needed to create a realistic and compelling P.I. character. Covers everything from licensing and regulations to techniques and relationships with Police departments. Helpful and interesting stuff, but very dated (the book was written in the mid-1990s).

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another handy book for all all aspiring authors who needs this reference on private investigating. It's a must read.