“You know . . . I really can’t think how anyone ever gets away with a murder in real life. It seems to me that the moment you’ve done a murder the whole thing is so terribly obvious. . . The murder part is quite easy and simple. It’s the covering up that’s so difficult. … Continue reading A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART FIVE: The Pendulum Swings in the Swinging 60’s
Author: Brad
A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART FOUR: The Iffy 50’s
“Fifteen years ago one knew who everybody was. The Bantrys in the big house – and the Hartnells and the Price Ridleys and the Weatherbys . . . But it’s not like that anymore. Every village and small country place is full of people who’ve just come and settled there without any ties to bring them . … Continue reading A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART FOUR: The Iffy 50’s
A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART THREE: Death – and Depth – in the 1940’s
“There is sometimes a deep chasm between the past and the future. When one has walked in the valley of the shadow of death, and come out of it into the sunshine – then, mon cher, it is a new life that begins . . . The past will not serve . . . “ Sad Cypress (1940) Thirteen … Continue reading A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART THREE: Death – and Depth – in the 1940’s
A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART TWO: The Glittering 1930’s
“They say all the world loves a lover – apply that saying to murder and you have an even more infallible truth. No one can fail to be interested in a murder.” The Murder at the Vicarage (1930) WORKS Seventeen Novels (as Agatha Christie) The Murder at the Vicarage (1930) The Sittaford Mystery (1931) Peril at End House (1932) … Continue reading A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART TWO: The Glittering 1930’s
A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART ONE: Roaring into the 1920’s
“Why not make my detective a Belgian? . . . A retired police officer. Not too young a one. What a mistake I made there. The result is that my fictional detective must really be well over a hundred by now.” Agatha Christie’s Autobiography WORKS Nine Novels The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920/21) The Secret Adversary (1922) The Murder … Continue reading A CENTURY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, PART ONE: Roaring into the 1920’s
THE PROBLEM IN 3A(s)
Special day, special blog! It can all be summed up in three little words: Anniversary, Apology, and Announcement. Anniversary On my way to buying my first Christie! Exactly five years ago today, this little fellow began his adventures in blogging, and what a world it opened up for me. I literally found my people, and, … Continue reading THE PROBLEM IN 3A(s)
NEVER META-MYSTERY I DIDN’T LIKE: The Sentence Is Death
“The thing about you, Tony, is you write stuff down without even realizing its significance. You’re a bit like a travel writer who doesn’t know quite where he is.” Is there any modern author who embraces the style, tropes and fashions of classic crime fiction more frequently or creatively than Anthony Horowitz? Whether it’s in … Continue reading NEVER META-MYSTERY I DIDN’T LIKE: The Sentence Is Death
DAY-OLD BLANCMANGE: Paul Halter’s The White Lady
It turns out that if you Google “white lady,” it’s an actual thing. In fact, according to Wikipedia, the legend of a woman in white pervades the folklore of multiple countries. She tends to be the ghost of a woman who died by violence, committed suicide or, in the scarier versions, killed her husband and/or … Continue reading DAY-OLD BLANCMANGE: Paul Halter’s The White Lady
IT’S SHORTS WEATHER: Perusing Bodies From the Library 3
So far, August 2020 is not sorting itself out to be the summer of anyone's lifetime. In another galaxy, long ago and far, far away, I would be reveling in memories of a marvelous July trip to London and New York, meeting old friends and cramming in as many intense discussions of a GAD variety … Continue reading IT’S SHORTS WEATHER: Perusing Bodies From the Library 3
YOU TAKE DYSTOPIA, I’LL TAKE DAT TOPIA: Pondering the Hunger Games Prequel
Let me take you back to a meeting held one year ago in the editorial offices of Scholastic Books: Editor: Ladies, I fervently believe that the YA dystopian novel has not burned itself out yet! Even in these unsettled times, young people are spoiled and complacent. They love to read about worlds where adults have … Continue reading YOU TAKE DYSTOPIA, I’LL TAKE DAT TOPIA: Pondering the Hunger Games Prequel
Ah Sweet Mystery! 