  Mystery
This week: Edited by: darkin
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Welcome to the Mystery Newsletter. Why are mysteries so popular? Because mysteries make you think. You follow every clue, examine the crime scenes and remember what each suspect said, until you solve the crime. A good mystery can keep you interested until the end. A great mystery will keep you guessing until the last page...when it makes you slap your forehead in surprise!
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A Writer's Guide to Murder Weapons
Mystery plots come in many forms: missing persons, lost objects, theft, scams, and, of course, murder mysteries. A popular choice, murder mysteries are as different as the authors who pen them. But they all have one thing in common.
Someone is killed.
Every murder needs a weapon, either man-made or naturally found. Your choice of weapon will depend largely on your villain's personality and on the kind of mystery you want to write. Murder methods can be broken down into six different types. How you use them is completely up to you.
Firearms
This would be any kind of weapon that uses gunpowder to propel a projectile. There are many different types of guns your villain can use. Most are classified into two major categories.
Handguns
These are weapons designed to be fired with one hand and are easily carried and concealed. Two types of handguns are:
1. Revolvers: These have a revolving cylinder to hold the bullets and can be single or double action.
2. Pistols: These use a removable clip to hold bullets and can be single shot, semiautomatic and fully automatic.
Rifles and Shotguns
These have longer barrels for accuracy, can be single-shot or rapid fire, and are much harder to conceal. A villain using a rifle would have a more difficult time of hiding his weapon while escaping.
Sharp Weapons
This can be any item that can pierce the skin. Knives, scissors, ice picks, and even knitting needles are examples of stabbing weapons that have been used to commit murder in real life. And any of these could be used by your villain to commit his murder.
Poisons
Once thought to be a woman's murder weapon, poisons are making a comeback in murder mysteries. Just about anything hazardous can be used, from man-made cleaners to naturally growing plants. But be sure to research your choice carefully. You don't want to pick a poison that isn't deadly or is nearly impossible to get.
Blunt Weapons
Clubs, baseball bats, and pokers are examples of blunt weapons, but pretty much anything your villain can grab can be used. Appliances, small pieces of furniture, and even cookware can be used in your murder mystery.
The Human Body
Don't forget your villain's abilities when plotting your victim's demise. A villain doesn't have to be a boxer or martial arts master to kill the victim using his hands and feet. But he does have to be somewhat strong to make it convincing.
Regardless of the method you choice for your victim's death, you need to remember that any weapon will leave behind forensic evidence. When you choose your method, be sure to research it thoroughly so your scene is realistic and accurate. Your readers will thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
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Thank you for taking the time to read this issue. I hope it was helpful and inspires you to write Here is some of the feedback I've received from my last newsletter.
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Submitted By: Little Scribbler 
Submitted Comment:
Great Email, I am thinking about writing a story about police officers and I've watched shows about police, but I have one question: Don't police officers say "copy" instead of "I understand"?
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Good catch, Matt. I had those two reversed
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Submitted By: white_feather
Submitted Comment:
Well done newsletter, Demon squirrely. Probably the most informative that I subscribe to. There are a couple codes I know personally I feel I can add.
10-4: I understand or I agree.
1090: I'm coming to your position.
What's your 20?: Where are you located? What's your position?
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Submitted By: fleckgirl
Submitted Comment:
Demon - Great Newsletter! My brother works 911 dispatch and I had to laugh at some of your translations because they made me think of him. Sometimes I will be on the phone with him and he'll interrupt me with a "stand by"... I guess sometimes it's hard to remember you're not at work & on the phone when your job entails the phone all day. Thanks for the smile!
Fleck Girl
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Submitted By: karabu
Submitted Comment:
Listening to police friends, I've noticed they also don't usually use "man" or "woman", but say, "male" or "female".
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Submitted By: billwilcox
Submitted Comment:
That's a Code Orange, Darkin.  Good stuff! Keep it coming!
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Mystery: June 13, 2007 Issue [#1766]
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