This is a good, short introduction to the subject for anyone thinking about writing a thriller. While much of the text is formulaic (it’s part of the “Teach Yourself” series, so there are a lot of sidebars and summaries), some parts of the book do shine and can be very useful. Matthew Branton does a forensic examination of one highly successful writer’s bestseller (James Patterson’s Roses are Red)– but you shouldn’t read this section if you haven’t read Patterson’s book, as it’s full of spoilers.