Recently, I shared photos with you as evidence of my wall to wall to wall to wall assortment of mystery books. Interspersed amongst the novels and plays and story collections are books about mystery fiction. There are the historical, like Martin Edwards’ The Golden Age of Murder i(2015), the critical, like Julian Symons’ Mortal Consequences (in Britain Bloody Murder, 1973) and the playful, like Dilys … Continue reading LUCID, LUDIC AND WELL-CLUED: The Murder Game, by John Curran
Author: Brad
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 9
As we turn to nine more films this month on our 36-film-list that will form the basis of my Noirvember ’55 Top 13 Films Noirs Draft, my own personal list of favorites is starting to take shape. I only get to select four or five titles on the final draft, but if Sergio or Nick play one … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 9
THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ ANSWERS
Ten years ago on this very day, I posted for the first time. I promised you I would cover classic mysteries in every format – page, stage, and screen - and I made no bones about my adoration for Agatha Christie. No wonder I decided to celebrate my first decade with a quiz for all … Continue reading THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ ANSWERS
THE POIROT PROJECT #12: Elephants Can Remember
“’Elephants don’t forget,’ said Mrs. Oliver. ‘You know, a story children get brought up on? How someone, an Indian tailor, stuck a needle or something in an elephant’s tusk. No, Not a tusk, his trunk, of course, an elephant’s trunk. And the next time the elephant came past he had a great mouthful of water … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #12: Elephants Can Remember
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN: The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink
Over the past eight months, I’ve led you by the snout through the Perry Mason Menagerie to witness the hijinks of assorted household pets and various fowl (plus one foul but sleepy mosquito.) This time, we’re changing up the sub-genus - and this time it’s personal. I know you may scoff at first because The Case … Continue reading THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN: The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink
A FRENZY OF ENVY: Celia Fremlin’s The Jealous One
We have given a lot of space here to the Queens of Crime. More and more, however I’ve been turning my attentions to the Duchesses of Domestic Suspense! To my great shame, I haven’t yet read anything by Patricia Highsmith, a troubled woman whose books focused on the abnormal and most frightening members of the human … Continue reading A FRENZY OF ENVY: Celia Fremlin’s The Jealous One
THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ
Today marks the beginning of the annual Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay! While you read this, there are walks and teas and library events and detection galore going on all around Torquay and neighboring Paignton! How we all wish we could be there, right? I tell you what, though: I don’t mind in the least … Continue reading THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
When you’re watching thirty-six films noirs over several months, all from the same year, not all of them can be Grade-A noir! The last trio was pretty rough, but I went into this next batch with high hopes – and a little anxiety, for amongst these titles was one “classic” film with which I did not get along … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
Considering this month marks my tenth anniversary, one hopes that the next nine films on the list for our upcoming Noirvember ’55 draft would be bangers, every one of them! (Here’s the entire list.) Today’s trio, sadly, does not bode well! Murder Is My Beat The premise for this one sounds like something out of … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
Oh #$%&! Not Another Blogger’s Tenth Anniversary!!
I have never been a trendy guy. It isn’t like I haven’t tried, but I’ve always been slow on the uptake. Just before I started high school, I demanded that my mom, who had forever dressed me in dark pants, white socks, and black loafers, buy me a pair of trendy bell bottoms and platform … Continue reading Oh #$%&! Not Another Blogger’s Tenth Anniversary!!
Ah Sweet Mystery! 