Dr. John Curran’s description of what he found over the fifty pages of Notebook 12 that comprised the planning of Hickory Dickory Dock (U.S. title: Hickory Hickory Death) suggest that Agatha didn’t have much fun writing it: “Each of the first five pages of notes for this book is headed ‘Holiday Task,’ suggesting that it was written … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #11: Hickory Dickory Dock
Author: Brad
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
Today we reach the halfway point in our 36-film list of 1955 films noirs that Sergio Angelini compiled for our Noirvember draft. (Find the list here.) Sergio, Nick Cardillo and I are currently watching and evaluating each of these in order to present our Top 13 list to you. Today’s threesome includes a top favorite, one that … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
THE NEIGHS HAVE IT: The Case of the Fan-Dancer’s Horse
If experience is any measure, the majority of Perry Mason mysteries begin one morning, afternoon, or evening in Mason’s law office with the arrival of an intriguing new client. Doesn’t sound very exciting, perhaps, but I get a thrill every time it happens. What bizarre situation is the ingenue secretary, eccentric old woman, blonde bombshell, … Continue reading THE NEIGHS HAVE IT: The Case of the Fan-Dancer’s Horse
SIX SKIDOO: My Favorite Mysteries of the 1920’s
The real fun with my Book Club occurs when we toss aside the traditional “Read-of-the-Month” format and talk about books in general. When we read something together, we make quick work of our discussion: if we all loved it, we cover that love in twenty minutes; ditto if we all despised it. And if we … Continue reading SIX SKIDOO: My Favorite Mysteries of the 1920’s
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 5
You know the drill! The full list is here. We’re drafting the Top Thirteen 1955 Films Noirs in November. Today’s trio is a decidedly mixed bag: each has elements that work for me – and elements that don’t. I’ll rank the trio at the end, but I wonder if any of them will earn a high enough place on … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 5
LAY OFF MAC DUFF: The Unsuspected by Charlotte Armstrong
Had Charlotte Armstrong decided that she would become the beloved author of sixty-six cozy mysteries starring her beloved amateur sleuth, retired history professor MacDougall Duff, I have a feeling we would not be talking about her now. Or perhaps Dean Street Press would be slowly republishing her long-forgotten canon. (Not to snark on Duff: I … Continue reading LAY OFF MAC DUFF: The Unsuspected by Charlotte Armstrong
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 4
Let’s return to the mean streets for three more of the thirty-six films noirs made in 1955 that the Noirmeister Sergio Angelini sent to Nick Cardillo and me so that we can determine the Top Thirteen during our Noirvember Draft. (Here is the complete list.) Warning: not every trio of movies can be a banger, folks! Today, I feel … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 4
GONE GIRL IN THE WINDOW, NO TRAIN: The Dead Friend Project
I think I’m growing tired of these covers of modern cozy mysteries, with their punny titles, cutesy illustrations, and snarky tag lines: The cover of The Dead Friend Project, Joanna Wallace’s second novel, is almost bland by comparison to others, but it gets the job done of informing you that this is a murder mystery. Note the … Continue reading GONE GIRL IN THE WINDOW, NO TRAIN: The Dead Friend Project
BRAD TAKES THE COLBERT QUESTIONERT
Something a little different today . . . Citing financial reasons, CBS has cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The timing couldn’t be worse. Colbert has the #1 rated program on late night TV and, quite frankly, his hilarious political commentary has gotten me through a rough ten years. We’ve waded through the dirty morass … Continue reading BRAD TAKES THE COLBERT QUESTIONERT
FILM, FILIM, DIANYING, PELICULA: International Agatha Christie She Watched
If you come here often, you may have picked up that I love talking about movies. Sadly, the most fraught discussions tend to center around the adaptations of my very favorite subject - Agatha Christie. I can’t say I’m surprised: a conversation with the Dame herself would have elicited fervent emotions on the subject. Why shouldn’t her … Continue reading FILM, FILIM, DIANYING, PELICULA: International Agatha Christie She Watched
Ah Sweet Mystery! 