“I have seen the swallowing of jewels, a puffer fish poisoning, and a woman strangled with her own cat, but I have never seen anything like this.” (Rowan Manory) It’s no secret that I always wanted to write a mystery. I have penned a few childish things. No, literally, they were the works … Continue reading FLOOD, MUD, BLOOD: Goodnight Irene by James Scott Byrnside
locked room mysteries
ACDC, PART ONE: Medieval Ho Hum, er, Mayhem in The Bowstring Murders
And so we begin. A Carter Dickson Celebration has been a long time coming. As I explained before, when I first began to embrace the works of John Dickson Carr, my youthful stubbornness caused me to opt for Gideon Fell and reject Sir Henry Merrivale. Was this foolish of me? Perhaps. Am I unhappy about … Continue reading ACDC, PART ONE: Medieval Ho Hum, er, Mayhem in The Bowstring Murders
REPRINT OF THE YEAR : Les Crimes Impossibles, à la Française
Today’s post is not so much tinged with irony as soaked in it. Many months ago, Kate Jackson invited me to be part of a sort of “contest” designed to cast a light on some of the marvelous re-issues of classic mysteries that have occurred this year. We were asked to name our poison, so … Continue reading REPRINT OF THE YEAR : Les Crimes Impossibles, à la Française
A.C.D.B. – An Announcement!
I know my London friends will wake up, open this and mutter, “Dude’s a day late!” However, it is still November 30thin these parts, and so it is still John Dickson Carr’s birthday! Since the man has given me cause to celebrate multiple times since I was about 13, I figure I owe him at least … Continue reading A.C.D.B. – An Announcement!
“IT’S CLOUDS’ ILLUSIONS I RECALL . . . “: The Latest from Paul Halter
I can hardly begin to sort the barrage of thoughts and feelings that have swirled around me like the wind while reading The Man Who Loved Clouds, the latest novel by French author Paul Halter to be translated into English courtesy of John Pugmire and Locked Room International. The announcement several months ago of its … Continue reading “IT’S CLOUDS’ ILLUSIONS I RECALL . . . “: The Latest from Paul Halter
PAUL ET MOI DANS LE GRAND POMME!
Before we start, let’s take a quiz. One question only, multiple choice. Go on – you know you want to. QUESTION: Look at the picture below: Can you identify who this is? Is it . . . A brilliant but disreputable (and proud of it!) classic mystery blogger (HINT: his name rhymes with “cray-cray”); A … Continue reading PAUL ET MOI DANS LE GRAND POMME!
READ-ALONG WITH BRADLEY! The Red Widow Murders: Part One
It seemed a good idea at the time, but in the cold light of day, calling this event “GADzooks!” seems a shuddering case of The Cutes! The Puzzle Doctor calls his a “chapter to chapter”, and JJ will appear with his own “Spoiler Warning” in this format in July! True to form, PD remains spoiler-free, … Continue reading READ-ALONG WITH BRADLEY! The Red Widow Murders: Part One
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
GAME, SET, AND MATCH, CARR STYLE
Before you read any further, please note that if I had any trouble with today’s mystery novel, it had more to do with me than with the book itself. You see, the school term finally came to an end on Friday, and I have to say that if someone had rung my doorbell two weeks … Continue reading GAME, SET, AND MATCH, CARR STYLE
THE SEVEN BLUNDERS OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF CRIME
I want to make it clear right from the start. I have nothing against ambition. They called the Wright Brothers foolhardy for imagining they could fly. Yet this real-life Daedalus and Icarus gave vent to their ambition, and because of them I can now relax in my cramped seat on Jet Blue, hoping against hope … Continue reading THE SEVEN BLUNDERS OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF CRIME
Ah Sweet Mystery! 