Tempe Public Library

Desert Sleuths - Hybrid

Thinking Like a Detective

The Desert Sleuths are part of an international organization dedicated to women crime writers.

You’re thinking of writing a nineteenth-century murder mystery but discouraged by the apparent lack of forensic evidence. Much of our impression of detective work during the 1800s has been shaped by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, where deduction, not evidence, catches the criminal. Truth is, there was an excess of evidence available in that period, including trace evidence and fingerprints.

Let Kerry Cathers, of A Curiosity of Crime, take you into the world of nineteenth-century sleuthing, including what evidence was available, when and how crime scenes and evidence were (or weren’t) processed, and how to create a detective who is true to the era. This seminar provides advice about how to maximize, and shorten, your research. Along with knowing what parts of modern sleuthing you can take into the nineteenth century, in this seminar you will learn how to

·         think like a nineteenth-century detective

·         tweak fact to fit your fiction

·         process a crime scene and evidence before the science existed

You’ll learn what elements you’ll have to put in place, beyond physical evidence, to craft an intriguing crime story. Most importantly, you will know how to plot your mystery around the evidence you want to include. 

Desert Sleuths is a proud chapter of Sisters in Crime, Inc., an international organization that promotes the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers. Sisters in Crime helps women achieve equality in the industry by raising professionalism, serving as the voice for excellence, and achieving diversity in crime writing. Desert Sleuths welcomes writers from all backgrounds, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity. gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, citizenship, medical condition, genetic information, or any other irrelevant characteristic.

They meet third the Wednesday of every month, except September and December. Learn more about Desert sleuths at: https://desertsleuths.com/

QUESTIONS? 480-350-5500

FEE: None 

REGISTRATION: Required. Register for in person here. Register for virtual here.

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