A.C.E. Writers

I’m often asked how to write a professional book review. It’s quite simple and follows a basic format. My reviews are well read, often sell books, and not always positive. It’s possible to write a negative review and still sell books! You must know how to put the words into organized thoughts and promote as you write.

First Step: The Hook

This is my favorite part of the review. Create a hook from the book that brings the reader back. This is usually a single line with a few sentences of support that gives the reader the gist of the book, without telling the ending, and offers a profound peek at what’s inside the book. This isn’t about you or the author, it’s about the book.

A black aging finger rotting to bone lying on the sand was just an indication of more to come. Can you imagine the anguish of the person who located the finger as the story unfolded to reveal the slaughter of a human body, bit by bit? Untold mysteries brought prognosis and speculation, on each page of the book.

Second Step: The Title Pages

This offers the reader information about the book, including where the book is published, the author’s name, the title of the book, and if an option, where you purchased the book and it’s value. I rarely give actual price in this portion of the review, but rather choose to mention value.

This is an excellent read and left me wanting to read more by this author who has published numerous other books including: (list titles of other books here).

Third Step: The Storyline & Plot

Here I choose to give a glimpse of the plot, still without telling the ending of the story. I offer information about the story that might help the reader determine if this story is one they want to read.

This thriller novel bore little resemblance to horror, offering thrills instead by way of judification of the plot, intricate details of the characters in the plot, and selective factors of the investigation that led to the imprisonment of the wrong suspect. Twists and turns in the investigation reveal little of the actual crime but instead focus on how one man was seduced into a pleading that left him without recourse. And yet, he never pled guilty to murder.

Forth Step: About the Author

Tell your readers what the author offers by way of credentials. Give them a glimpse into the author’s life and share a few details that bring the author and this rendition of a specific plot line to life.

The Author of this novel piques my interest because in prior writings, she’s always presented authority figures in ways that leave you with an understanding of the workings behind the scene. This book was no different. Her detailed accounts of the investigation give you direct comprehension of the lag between real criminal activity and prosecution. You begin to understand that you don’t have to be guilty to be accused of a crime, and they find ways to prove you guilty.

Fifth Step: The Wrap Up

Would you read it? Why should they buy the book? Is it worth the time and effort they’ll spend on the book? What will they get out of it?

This book is a page turner. Once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down. You’ll be flipping pages to see what happens next, even after you’re done. It doesn’t end… This book leaves you wondering what happens, because it never actually reveals who the killer is. Hints that the suspect behind bars isn’t the killer are all through the book, but there’s never a solution. Help! Somebody tell me how it ends!

 Offer drama and closure with your final statement, and give your review reader a choice to buy the book or not. But more significantly, offer the reader of  your review a purpose to go get this book in the review.

 Reviews can be as few as 200 words, or as many as 2000. The choice is yours. How much do you want to write about what somebody else got paid to present?