Okay, I’m not moving to Japan! That was what we writers call a tease. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Ever. Trust me. However, Soji Shimada’s introduction to Takemaru Abiko’s debut mystery, The 8 Mansion Murders, offers many attractive reasons for me to do so. First there’s the architecture. According to Zillow.com, the 910-sq.ft. condo I … Continue reading SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I’M MOVING TO JAPAN!!!
Author: Brad
G.A.D.ZOOKS! A Special Announcement
Gadzooks! Definition: a cry of surprise or irritation. The perfect epithet for when you have turned that page to where the sleuth drops all pretense, points to the least likely suspect and declares: “It was you!” … Continue reading G.A.D.ZOOKS! A Special Announcement
I SECOND THAT EMOTION: Mysteries That Make You Feel
Dale Carnegie said: “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.” Try applying this truism to the classic mystery, and you can perhaps see why some people turn away from the tendency of these stories to shortchange the emotional aspects of murder, while others are … Continue reading I SECOND THAT EMOTION: Mysteries That Make You Feel
PONDERING THE IMPOSSIBLE, CHRISTIE-STYLE
I’VE never hung out so much with other guys until I started blogging about death. Seriously, if you knew me, it makes total sense that this GAD commentator would associate with the elegant Moira, the scrappy Kate, and the sagacious Bev. To my surprise and delight, however, I find myself welcomed into the company of … Continue reading PONDERING THE IMPOSSIBLE, CHRISTIE-STYLE
OBIT
EDITOR’S NOTE: I was putting the final touches on my last post for the Tuesday Night Bloggers about great detectives (my topic was “Recipe for Success: the Six Best-Fed Sleuths”) when I was sent the article I include below. I think this sad news is appropriate to the TNG topic this month. My comments follow:) … Continue reading OBIT
ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES OF THE AIRWAVES
There are many ways to get your GAD on! Sure, the purest the literary route, whereby you assemble your own TBR pile (that’s “To Be Read” for those of you who . . . well, I have no idea why anyone who doesn’t have a TBR pile would come visit me!) and whittle it down … Continue reading ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES OF THE AIRWAVES
ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN FINDS THE SOLUTION
If you were with us yesterday, Encyclopedia Brown had to find out who robbed Mr. Thurlow’s bookstore . . . even if it meant bringing in his best friend!!! Here’s the solution! Mrs. Brown, in a fresh starched apron and carrying a plate of freshly baked chocolate cinnamon raisin dreams, greeted her weary menfolk as … Continue reading ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN FINDS THE SOLUTION
THE WORLD’S BEST LITERARY DETECTIVE . . . JR.
Like every major metropolitan newspaper, the Idaville Gazette had a book reviewer. Bernice Sturgess, whose son Cicero was Idaville’s leading child actor, wrote a column that appeared every Thursday. Her tastes ran to romance authors and non-fiction, so it was no surprise when a review appeared for a book called 100 Greatest Literary Detectives. The town’s … Continue reading THE WORLD’S BEST LITERARY DETECTIVE . . . JR.
SLINGING THE BULL WITH NERO WOLFE
It has been a long time since I hung out with the guys at 454 W. 35th Street. To be honest, that street address is the best guess of the Wolfe Pack, detective Nero Wolfe’s official fan club. But they were sure enough of their figures to arrange having a plaque posted on the brownstone … Continue reading SLINGING THE BULL WITH NERO WOLFE
THE GREATEST DETECTIVE OF THEM ALL
First the good news: The Tuesday Night Bloggers are back, and we’re bigger than ever! And we have a month of posts planned for you that focus on the greatest detectives that ever lived . . . in the pages of literature. We do this in honor of a new book, edited by Eric Sandberg, … Continue reading THE GREATEST DETECTIVE OF THEM ALL
Ah Sweet Mystery! 