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
My Book Club
“. . . OF COURSE, OF COURSE”: The Deadly Percheron
My Book Club’s recent discussion about our favorite 1940’s mysteries is the gift that keeps on giving. That our lists displayed such marvelous variety, with very few crossover titles, is a testament to our voracious reading habits and differing tastes; it may also explain why we have such trouble agreeing on what to read each … Continue reading “. . . OF COURSE, OF COURSE”: The Deadly Percheron
MORE FUN AND GAMES WITH BOOK CLUB: Five Great Mystery Debuts
My Book Club is full of fun and fascinating people, but our collective book selections have been a decidedly mixed bag. And so last month, we took a break from these doldrums (perhaps mystery lovers should call them “humdrums”), and did something a little different: each of us shared their ten favorite mysteries from the … Continue reading MORE FUN AND GAMES WITH BOOK CLUB: Five Great Mystery Debuts
“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
BOOK CLUB TACKLES ITS INNER DEMONS: The Noh Mask Murder
The ever-increasing availability of Japanese honkaku and shin honkaku mystery stories translated into English is one of the greatest perks of the classic mystery revival. I used to talk about each review as “this year’s book,” but now I can’t keep up with the new titles. I’ve got books on my shelf that I haven’t read yet, another Kosuke … Continue reading BOOK CLUB TACKLES ITS INNER DEMONS: The Noh Mask Murder
FOUL PLAY, THE FAIR PLAY WAY: My Book Club Reads The Maze
“In a ‘fair play’ puzzle plot mystery, the author provides the reader with all the clues, allowing the reader to match wits with the detective. All the pieces of the puzzle are hidden in plain sight.” (Gigi Pandian, for Crimereads) “This is a fair story. If you get the right answer – not merely a guessed answer, … Continue reading FOUL PLAY, THE FAIR PLAY WAY: My Book Club Reads The Maze
BOOK CLUB STICKS TO PROCEDUR-AL: Exit Lines by Reginald Hill
When it comes to procedural mysteries, I’d rather watch ‘em than read ‘em, although there was a time when I read quite a few of them. I had a good long run with Ed McBain more years ago than I can remember, and I think that around the same time I read one or two of … Continue reading BOOK CLUB STICKS TO PROCEDUR-AL: Exit Lines by Reginald Hill
DO YOU WANNA KILL A SNOWMAN? Book Club Reads The Sittaford Mystery
As those of you reading this who also follow some of my blogging friends may have realized, what happens in Book Club does not stay in Book Club. The best part of Book Club is the clubbers themselves. We have decided that it doesn’t matter whether we love or hate a book – it’s all about the … Continue reading DO YOU WANNA KILL A SNOWMAN? Book Club Reads The Sittaford Mystery
REVENGE OF THE OCTO-BLOGGER!!
Can you believe it?!? Eight years ago today, I slapped the title of a very very old song on a shingle and set up shop as a blogger. My goal was to be a part of the conversation about all things having to do with the mystery genre that we all love. If I tend to run … Continue reading REVENGE OF THE OCTO-BLOGGER!!
BOOK CLUB LEARNS ITS LESSON WELL: Murder Among Friends
A serial killer has been stalking co-eds at a Southern California university. Dubbed Black Overcoat by the police due to his distinctive garb, he has so far claimed five victims, employing a different type of weapon with each kill. Most recently he was in a seedy coffee shop sitting near Garnet Dillon, a beautiful young … Continue reading BOOK CLUB LEARNS ITS LESSON WELL: Murder Among Friends
Ah Sweet Mystery! 