“In old days the public didn’t really mind much about accuracy, but nowadays readers take it upon themselves to write to authors on every possible occasion, pointing out flaws.” This sounds like an excerpt from an interview with Agatha Christie – or any other longtime successful author - but the line is actually spoken early … Continue reading CHRISTIE’S THE CLOCKS: The Ravaging Effects of Time
Author: Brad
JJ MADE ME DO IT: The Impossible Crimes Project
The blogosphere is just like school at recess: you step into the yard and look fearfully around for people who you can play with and will like you for who you are. I’ve found so many wonderful, thoughtful writers in here who have expanded my understanding of what lies out there in the world of … Continue reading JJ MADE ME DO IT: The Impossible Crimes Project
THE BBC’S AND THEN THERE WERE NONE GETS IT RIGHT
My relationship with Agatha Christie – now a half-century old – began with And Then There Were None. Why not start with the best: the best classic mystery writer, the best of her novels. Oh, I have other favorite Christies, too, culled for a list of Poirots and Marples. But ATTWN stands apart from … Continue reading THE BBC’S AND THEN THERE WERE NONE GETS IT RIGHT
THE MIRROR CRACK’D FROM SIDE TO SIDE
“What a terrible mistake I had made in starting with Hercule Poirot so old,” Agatha Christie states in her autobiography. (He is reputed to be around 62 at the start of The Mysterious Affair at Styles . . . in 1920.) “I ought to have abandoned him after the first three or four books, and … Continue reading THE MIRROR CRACK’D FROM SIDE TO SIDE
TWO VILLAGE MYSTERIES FROM 1950
Over at Past Offenses, Rich is gathering mystery fans from far and wide to honor the year 1950. It just so happens that during this year, two of my favorite authors published mysteries set in small villages. Agatha Christie, writing her fiftieth novel, created a masterpiece. Ellery Queen, however, wrote a lesser Wrightsville tale that, … Continue reading TWO VILLAGE MYSTERIES FROM 1950
CURTIS MADE ME DO IT PART III: A New Queen for Your Consideration
Continuing my examination of three classic but forgotten mysteries recommended to me by Curtis Evans at The Passing Tramp, I have saved the best for last! And in doing so, I have both good, incredible, wonderful news to share, as well as bad, horrible, terrible news. The good news is that, based on reading only … Continue reading CURTIS MADE ME DO IT PART III: A New Queen for Your Consideration
CURTIS MADE ME DO IT, PART II: A Mystery by Annie Haynes
“’Beastly mess the place seems to be in,’ grumbled Sir Arthur Penn-Moreton, looking round the room with a disgusted air. “’Well, if you will give balls you have to put up with the aftermath,’ said Dicky, his younger brother, screwing his monocle in his left eye as he spoke. “Dicky was already seated at the … Continue reading CURTIS MADE ME DO IT, PART II: A Mystery by Annie Haynes
CURTIS MADE ME DO IT, PART I: My first E.R. Punshon
Happy New Year, everybody! A little over a year as a member of the Golden Age Detection group on Facebook, and my life has changed for the better. I have (virtually) met dozens of erudite and charming people whose passion for mystery fiction matches mine even as their knowledge far exceeds my own. As a … Continue reading CURTIS MADE ME DO IT, PART I: My first E.R. Punshon
1950: A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR NOIR
Over at Past Offences, Rich has designated January as a celebration of the year 1950 and all the great mysterious books and films that came out of that year. To join up, simply go here: https://pastoffences.wordpress.com/2015/12/28/1950book-sign-up-page/ Turns out that 1950 was a great year for film noir. Wikipedia lists fifty-four titles, including In a Lonely … Continue reading 1950: A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR NOIR
The Curious Incident of the Doggerel in the Nighttime
My fellow blogger, Helen Szamuely, posted a fascinating article about the nature of clueing in classic mysteries, much of which is lost to modern writers and readers due to the rising technology of our times. Read her post here: http://conservativehistory.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/some-idle-thoughts.html It inspired me to scribble a silly poem - something I do way too often … Continue reading The Curious Incident of the Doggerel in the Nighttime
Ah Sweet Mystery! 