Since this is a blog that deals in genre secrets, I’ve got a good one for you: not everybody collects Dell Map Back Mysteries because they’re great literature - it’s because they look sooo cool!! I have no idea how many of the 8500 titles Dell published in this format between 1943 and 1950 would … Continue reading RIDDLE IN RETAIL: Death Wears a White Gardenia
Author: Brad
THE POIROT PROJECT #10: Murder in Mesopotamia
“Your travel life has the essence of a dream . . . you are yourself, but a different self.” (Agatha Christie) Full disclosure: I’ve tried writing this article five times, and it becomes increasingly difficult to stick to the subject. My basic issue around Murder in Mesopotamia is that, despite a few interesting features, what fascinates me … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #10: Murder in Mesopotamia
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito
“‘Suppose,’ Mason said, ‘I should give you a dose of poison, and you should die. That would be murder, wouldn’t it?’“Della laughed. ‘Sometimes when I’ve made mistakes I think it would be a justifiable homicide. But go on. What’s the idea?’“‘But suppose that before the poison had quite resulted in death, someone came along, whipped … Continue reading WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 3
I sure hope some of you are watching along with me as I take a crash course in 1955 film noir in preparation for the second annual Noirvember Draft I’ll be having with my buddies Sergio and Nick. So far, the views have ranged from terrific to terrible, which is exactly how the genre is supposed to … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 3
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 2
I’m back with my thoughts on three more films from the big 1955 film noir list that Sergio Angelini, Nick Cardillo and I are watching in order to create our Top 13 Best Film Noirs of 1955. (Remember: I’m watching these films in alphabetical order. You can join me or simply sample the films that sound good … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 2
HISTORY MYSTERY SHMISTORY! Murder in the House of Omari
In the continuing saga that is the translation and publication of Japanese honkaku mysteries into English, Pushkin Vertigo brings us another prolific but seldom read author. Taku Ashibe has been producing crime novels and stories for thirty-five years, many of them with fanciful names like The Palace of Bizarre Idea Murder Case, Murder at the House of Another … Continue reading HISTORY MYSTERY SHMISTORY! Murder in the House of Omari
THE “GREATEST MYSTERY FILMS OF ALL TIME” DRAFT!!!
On Sunday, I met with my buddies Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo for our latest game of list-drafting. After tackling Christie, Hitchcock, Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Chan, we decided to broaden our focus on a more general look at the mystery genre in film. Each of us did our research and came together armed with … Continue reading THE “GREATEST MYSTERY FILMS OF ALL TIME” DRAFT!!!
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART I
The concept of “Noirvember” was created fifteen years ago by Marya E. Gates, a film critic, as a jazzy way to celebrate the beloved genre of film noir. Last year, the word was co-opted by Ah Sweet Mystery when Sergio, Nick and I drafted The Best Noirs of 1944. And now, another Noirvember draft is brewing: this year, we examine … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART I
“IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR . . . ” It’s About Impossible Crime by James Scott Burnside
Since 2018, when James Scott Byrnside’s Goodnight Irene debuted in all its self-published glory, I’ve had an image of the author sitting in his bathtub in the luxury penthouse he owns atop one of Las Vegas’ swanky off-the-Strip hotels – maybe around City Center? – with classic Sinatra piped in through the sound system. His typewriter on … Continue reading “IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR . . . ” It’s About Impossible Crime by James Scott Burnside
THE POIROT PROJECT #9: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
After blogging for ten years on classic crime – with a focus on Agatha Christie, mind you – I could still forgive myself for not having written closely about . . . The Secret of Chimneys . . . or Hickory Dickory Dock . . . or Elephants Can Remember (although the last two will be rectified before the year is … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #9: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Ah Sweet Mystery! 