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
Anthony Berkeley
“I’ve got a little list . . . ” Part II: Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1930’s
Back in May, my buddies Sergio and Nick and I pooled our heads together and came up with our own three lists of the best mysteries from the Golden Age of Detection. Our method of selection was very structured: we came up with thirteen general categories (i.e., “Best wartime” “best locked room” and “best twist ending”) and … Continue reading “I’ve got a little list . . . ” Part II: Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1930’s
PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
“There is no Frigate like a Book to take us Lands away . . . “ These words by Emily Dickenson were emblazoned on the bookplates my grandparents gave me when, at an early age, I declared my love for reading. I pasted them into every volume I owned and used up my stock long ago. … Continue reading PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
LONDON SHORTS WEATHER: Book Club Reads Capital Crimes
My Book Club is changing things up a little for May with a collection of short stories. Under the aegis of author and editor Martin Edwards, the British Library has published a number of these collections. Although they all tend to provide a mini-survey of mystery fiction, ranging from the pre-GAD era to the modern … Continue reading LONDON SHORTS WEATHER: Book Club Reads Capital Crimes
ROGER THAT, BOOK CLUB: Jumping Jenny by Anthony Berkeley
If there’s one thing that can bring about a Book Club’s downfall, it’s Bad Books. Oh, sure, we could call ourselves Bad Book Club and play hilarious drinking games as we share our favorite Awful Passages, but that’s not what my group is about! And so we’ve been trying a new strategy of keeping our collective … Continue reading ROGER THAT, BOOK CLUB: Jumping Jenny by Anthony Berkeley
BOOK REPORT #7: The Wychford PoiZZZZZZZZ——-
In 1929, Anthony Berkeley published The Poisoned Chocolates Case, the fifth of his ten mystery novels featuring dilettante sleuth Roger Sheringham. In that book, a group of friends gather together to play armchair detective, each proposing a different solution to a current murder case. We never actually meet the main players in that case; instead, the members … Continue reading BOOK REPORT #7: The Wychford PoiZZZZZZZZ——-
Ah Sweet Mystery! 