While this is a really good book on writing, there isn't a whole lot that's specific to writing mysteries. Out of 30 chapters, maybe 3 of them were focused solely on mystery writing. As just a book about writing, it's good. Hallie Ephron does a great job not being overly prescriptive and highlighting several different approaches to story telling and writing in general. I will absolutely hand this to a newer writer even if they weren't writing in the mystery genre.