“Seriously? What in the world do Sondheim and crime fiction have in common?” That question, gracing the back cover of Josh Pachter’s eighth “Inspired by . . . “ story anthology, Every Day a Little Death: Crime Fiction inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim, has an easy answer. At least it does for those of … Continue reading SIDE BY HOMICIDE BY SONDHEIM
Author: Brad
KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
Is there any fictional character who has been showered with parodies, pastiches, homages and adaptations as much as Sherlock Holmes? Has anyone even tried to keep track of all the stories, novels, plays, movies, and games that have gotten their inspiration from the most famous detective of all time? I am no Holmesian scholar. In my lifetime, … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
ENCORE: More TV Mysteries to Watch
After recently reviewing the first two episodes of Netflix’s The Residence and a few other series, I received a request and two suggestions. So here I am, delivering on my . . . well, I promised nothing, and nobody asked. So here goes. The request came from Hannah, who was interested to hear what I thought about The … Continue reading ENCORE: More TV Mysteries to Watch
“I’ve got (another) little list . . . ” Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1940’s
My Book Club has come up with a wonderful idea to spice up our monthly meetings. We’ve determined that it isn’t necessary to read a classic mystery each time (especially since we have a spotty track record when it comes to finding titles we can all enjoy); what matters is that we have a grand time talking about classic … Continue reading “I’ve got (another) little list . . . ” Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1940’s
FOUR FOR THE (EASY) CHAIR: Current Mysteries on TV
If you want to read a mystery, the sky’s the limit! At least, that’s what I hope you’ve figured out from this humble blog and the thoughts of others or from a quick trip to your local bookstore. But if you want to watch a mystery, the pickings are relatively slim. Forget the movie theatres! Times have changed … Continue reading FOUR FOR THE (EASY) CHAIR: Current Mysteries on TV
THE POIROT PROJECT #6: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Agatha Christie’s twenty-eighth mystery and the nineteenth featuring Hercule Poirot, has the disadvantage of being surrounded by better titles. Its two predecessors are And Then There Were None, the greatest mystery of all time, and Sad Cypress, a haunting and beautifully written story. And it is followed by Evil Under the Sun, perhaps Christie’s most fun mystery, … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #6: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
CURSE YOU, ROBBIE BURNS! The Reunion That Didn’t Happen
Having the poet’s worst predictions come true is never fun, but over this past weekend, my best-laid plans for a Christie reunion “gang aft very very agley” indeed! When my pal Christopher Diehl announced a few months ago that he would be directing a Christie double bill for the Riverside Community Players, it felt like the perfect … Continue reading CURSE YOU, ROBBIE BURNS! The Reunion That Didn’t Happen
WHO TAW THE PUTTY TAT?!? The Case of the Lame Canary
(This year, my Perry Mason reviews have been appearing on the 17th of each month, but as I’m leaving tomorrow for a week-long road trip and Christie reunion – more about that upon my return – I thought I’d slip in this month’s Mason a few days early. I hope that works for you. Our regular … Continue reading WHO TAW THE PUTTY TAT?!? The Case of the Lame Canary
BOOK CLUB TURNS PROCEDURAL: Murder by the Clock
This month, my Book Club decided to read 1929’s Murder by the Clock, the second mystery novel by Rufus King and the first of eleven books featuring a most unusual policeman, Lieutenant Valcour. At some point, Book Club decided to push the book back to April, but I went ahead and read it anyway since my routine … Continue reading BOOK CLUB TURNS PROCEDURAL: Murder by the Clock
AN ADAPTED CONVERGENCE: Towards Zero on the BBC
AN ADAPTED CONVERGENCE: The BBC’s Towards Zero (NOTE: This is a SPOILER-FREE review of the recent BBC adaptation. I have also refrained from any major spoilers of the book, so make yourselves at home!) Okay, let’s all find a comfortable chair, sit ourselves down, and breathe!!! Discussing Christie adaptations is always a dangerous proposition. Agatha herself … Continue reading AN ADAPTED CONVERGENCE: Towards Zero on the BBC
Ah Sweet Mystery! 