
Welcome to THE NO ALIBI ZONE
MYSTERIES, MURDER, & INVESTIGATING CRIME

LYNN BOHART
Author • Writing Mentor • Mystery Coach
Your trusted guide for writing believable mysteries.

"I write mysteries, talk to the people who know crime scene investigation from the inside out, and help writers create stories that keeps readers guessing."


Mystery Coaching: The Clue's the Thing
LET'S WORK TOGETHER and keep readers glued to the page!
Have you ever dreamed of writing a murder mystery? Perhaps you're already writing one, but you're stuck on how to leave a trail of reliable clues. Maybe your lead detective or sleuth isn't believable in their role. Or you fear the middle drags and the ending doesn't land the punch you wanted. You might even have a great idea for a mystery but aren't sure where to begin.
That's where I come in. I've written eleven mysteries and created both believable amateur sleuths and working detectives. I've researched investigative techniques and interviewed law-enforcement and forensic professionals to understand how they work. You know the story you want to tell; I can help make the mystery and investigation work.
"My experience working with Lynn was fantastic.She gave me invaluable feedback, made great suggestions and helped me think of alternative options for my story. Her approach is supportive and helpful. This is a coach who is truly in your corner and would like you to do your best. I'm sure I'll be seeking her advice in the future again." Tali S.
My goal is to help writers who long to create a credible mystery but struggle with things like:
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Is the crime compelling, and does it make sense?
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Does the trail of clues create a fair but believable puzzle to be solved?
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Is the investigation roadmap believable?
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Is the villain a worthy adversary to your protagonist?
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Are the red herrings working?
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Does the detective have a logical path to the killer?
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Is there enough tension to keep the reader turning pages?
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Does the ending feel earned?
Whether you're new to writing or just new to mysteries, there is tremendous value in working with someone who understands what it takes to craft a believable murder investigation.
I work with only a limited number of clients at a time so that I can give you my full attention and best advice. My only goal is to help you craft the best mystery possible. Here's an important point! Even though you don't work for law enforcement or, like me, have never actually killed someone (thank God!), this is a great opportunity to ask questions and do a deep dive into what makes a murder investigation work.
YOUR VISION. YOUR STORY. MY EXPERIENCE.
**If you have questions or are not sure how this works, you can book a free 15-minute call. I can not only answer your questions, but you'll get a chance to see if we're a good fit. Just scroll to the bottom to fill out the questionnaire.
MY ROLE: I focus my attention on the mystery (crime, clues, investigation) and whether what you're creating is interesting, believable, and compelling. This is your story not mine. I'm a teacher at heart, so you can think of me as your personal trainer. I am not here to tell you 'how' to tell your story, but rather to act as a sounding board and give you feedback based on best practices and my years of experience writing and studying the crime of murder. (Yes, I think a lot about murder!) I will also occasionally conduct developmental edits once your story is complete, looking at the overall structure and flow, as well as strength of the characters, their interactions and role they play with the crime. If you are interested in this, message me separately.
YOUR ROLE: You'll need to come with an open mind. Writing is intensely personal, and sometimes the most useful feedback is the feedback that challenges an idea you really love. The good news is that I'm not an editor, and I'm not here to 'red line' your copy. I'm here to help you identify what works, what falls short, and the opportunities to make it better. Your job will be to choose what feels right to you.
"Lynn Bohart truly excels in providing top-notch writing advice, with her exceptional professionalism and keen attention to detail. Her deep understanding and quick responsiveness make working with her an absolute pleasure. I'm immensely thankful for her support as I navigate my first novel—her positive criticism is a lifeline on this steep learning curve." Kim W.
HOW WE DO IT: Once I receive your order, I will send you a Session Questionnaire to give me a sense of where you are in your writing journey, what your story is about, and your areas of concern. After I get that back, I'll schedule a short call to make sure I understand what your goals and objectives are. This is important so that my goals are your goals. Depending on the package you've purchased, we will go from there.
THINGS WE MIGHT DISCUSS
"Lynn is a seasoned professional dedicated to the craft of writing!" KALI P.
1) INITIAL CRIME AND STORY ARC: What’s the crime that sets your story off and how have you planned out the investigation, along with character details and subplots, all leading to a satisfying conclusion.
2) STORY STRUCTURE: Discussion of the three-act story structure, including the inciting moment (the murder), rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
3) CREATING COMPELLING CHARACTERS: A discussion on how to create your lead detective (detective or sleuth) and their counterparts (the villain and supporting characters) in a way to appeal to readers and potentially use them for a series.
4) NEED FOR THE CRIME AND THE PERFECT VICTIM: How have you framed the crime and victim?
5) CLUE STRUCTURE: How have you mapped out the clues that will lead to the 'reveal,' along with potential red herrings and places you can use misdirection and/or distraction.
6) GRABBING & HOLDING A READER’S ATTENTION: A discussion on techniques designed to keep a reader turning pages.
7) EFFECTIVE USE OF DIALOGUE: Looking at how you've used dialogue to reveal important character information, drive action, and draw readers in.
8) EFFECTIVE USE OF SETTING: A discussion on you can use setting to increase tension and do more than just serve as a backdrop for your story.
9) TOPIC OF YOUR CHOICE: Don't see what you need here? Just let me know what area you'd like to discuss.
WAYS THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
I have made this as simple as possible. But I'm always open to help in a different way.
Just reach out and let me know what you have in mind.
STORY DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS: #1, #2, #3
For a story development session, you will send me a detailed outline (including clues and where they are placed in the story). I'll review that and then schedule the require call(s). Calls are typically one hour long and are open-ended to brainstorm ideas, answer any questions you might have, and allow for me to give you feedback on your story outline. We can then discuss what your priorities are and how I can help further.
#1 One session $75/hr (Good for an initial review or if you need to solve a specific problem.)
#2 Three sessions: $150 (Ideal for a more in-depth review. Save $75)
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#3 Five sessions: $225 (Perfect for ongoing support. Save $150)
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Want a page review?? When you check out, you can add on a page review to any of the story development sessions for only $50. I will give you a thoughtful, detailed review on up to 20 pages, double-spaced. You cannot order this separately.
*Please note that the time it takes for me to study your questionnaire and story outline/synopsis is included in the session cost.
FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW: $110
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WANT TO KNOW IF YOUR OPENING CHAPTER WORKS?
Your first chapter is your reader's introduction to the story. It needs to not only stand out but answer certain questions, while setting the stage for the puzzle that will become the murder investigation. I'll review up to 35 pages (double-spaced), give detailed written feedback, and then schedule a 30-minute call. For this package, you will also fill out the questionnaire and provide a detailed outline or synopsis along with the first fully written chapter.
Note: I do a very limited number of full document reviews. If you are interested, I will ask for the first chapter in advance to get a sense of your writing style and how long it might take to read and review the full manuscript. Then, I will quote a price.
NEXT STEPS
Before you order, please read the terms and conditions by clicking on the link below. If you'd like to get a head start, you can download the questionnaire and get started on that. When you're ready, click on the session you're interested in. You will be taken to Thrivecart, where you will complete your purchase. At check out, you can add a page review if you're interested. Once I'm notified of the purchase, I'll be in touch for next steps.
Thanks so very much. Lynn