---
product_id: 26930701
title: "Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats"
brand: "jane k. clelandhallie ephron"
price: "€ 47.82"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.de/products/26930701-mastering-suspense-structure-and-plot-how-to-write-gripping-stories
store_origin: DE
region: Germany
---

# Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats

**Brand:** jane k. clelandhallie ephron
**Price:** € 47.82
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats by jane k. clelandhallie ephron
- **How much does it cost?** € 47.82 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.de](https://www.desertcart.de/products/26930701-mastering-suspense-structure-and-plot-how-to-write-gripping-stories)

## Best For

- jane k. clelandhallie ephron enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted jane k. clelandhallie ephron brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats

## Images

![Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f-KWi4GNL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Excellent information for ALL writers--regardless of genre or experience
  

*by C***K on Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2018*

Make your writing compelling! Excellent book, excellent information for all writers, regardless of genre or experience. Solid explanations and illustrations of what makes writing compelling--what elements capture and KEEP readers' attention, and keep them turning the pages, as well as how to structure a story that carries the reader (and multiple plot lines) from page to page. The author explains strategies and easy-to-follow methods for weaving compelling elements together, suggesting structures that make the story and plot stronger.Like many, I have a shelf full of writing books--most of which I thought I HAD to have, and then read only the first few pages of before skimming the rest (maybe) and setting aside. I started reading this book, stopped, got up and got a highlighter, started reading again, stopped again, went and got a pen and a notebook, and then read cover-to cover, marking and taking notes. The author explains suspense, structure, and plot--all things I thought I understood--in a way that made me see and understand them (and be able to USE them) in a new light. I'm using that new understanding to craft a stronger story.I highly recommend this book to all writers, and am sure I'll be referring to it again and again. (I just bought some colored flags to mark particularly important sections, so that I can find them easily, and refer to them as I go.)(ps--I did find some of the examples a little odd, and one reference early on that I couldn't make heads or tails of, but that's really a minor wobble.)

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    I feel a little bit like Darth Vader in that duel
  

*by J***L on Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2016*

Every time I think of Jane Cleland’s book, “Mastering Suspense,” I envision the famous showdown between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan during Star Wars: A New Hope. It’s a legendary scene of dark vs. light; student vs. teacher. Upon seeing Obi-Wan for the first time in decades, Vader says: “I’ve been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.” After reading this book, I feel a little bit like Darth Vader in that duel. Well-taught, empowered, and confident. But hopefully with a little less arrogance and a happier ending in store.I’ve had the pleasure of personally learning under Jane’s mentorship at my MFA program, an experience I esteem highly and cherish greatly. This book is a bit like that: a personal mentorship. Here, Jane has divulged actionable methods for creating better works of writing. This isn’t a book just for mystery writers. She wrote with a wide audience in mind. Whether you’re a memoirist, a historian, or a novelist, you’ll see suspense in a new light. Even better, Jane has provided a masterful process by which you can incorporate suspense into your writing.My favorite sections included exercises you can employ to deepen your knowledge (of characters), expand your settings (and use them to create suspense), and explore nuances regarding betrayal and confusion.Like Alfred Hitchcock once said, surprise is cheap—anyone can do it—but suspense? Suspense is what keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Good, could be better...
  

*by M***S on Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022*

Overall, this is a useful book. It's one of the few books I've seen that actually discusses subplots and tries to give you some idea of how to use them. Key word being tries. The way it's explained is confusing at times, vaguely referencing scenes that are "part of the main plot" and therefore not in the "subplot" without any examples or explanations of how or why.So, a subplot is an ex-husband stalking his wife and scenes relating to that, okay, got it. But then it says the wife wins a custody battle and gets the kids which is not subplot like the stalking, but part of the main story. I can only conclude that she used another excuse not related to stalking to get custody of her kids (b/c it has to be part of the main story and can't be in the subplot)--but I don't know. If I did, that would be helpful. What this needs is a scene-by-scene detail of a whole book, pointing out which scenes are the main story and which are subplot.All she gives here are snippets of each and you don't get a big picture idea. One reviewer said it's the only book you need, if it is for them, wow, then they must have known literally everything else this book isn't about...like character arc, the three-act structure and splitting it in half, the hero's journey, the heroine's journey, etc. My point is, dear aspiring authors, this is not the only book you need. Unless you have somehow magically absorbed and are able to utilize the many other aspects of storycraft that go into great writing. This is but a piece.And subplots are crucial, which is why I wish she could have been clearer about them.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats
- Mastering Plot Twists: How to Use Suspense, Targeted Storytelling Strategies, and Structure to Captivate Your Readers
- How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.de/products/26930701-mastering-suspense-structure-and-plot-how-to-write-gripping-stories](https://www.desertcart.de/products/26930701-mastering-suspense-structure-and-plot-how-to-write-gripping-stories)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Germany*
*Store origin: DE*
*Last updated: 2026-04-01*