“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and then talking over its head. … Continue reading CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER: The Best Short Adventure of Ellery Queen
TV
L’EXCROISSANCE or, Giving the (Moving) Finger to Christie
My buddy Kate over at Cross Examining Crime just wrote an interesting article on Agatha Christie’s The Moving Finger. While she’s not as fond of the novel as I am, she had a fascinating take on the character of Megan Hunter here. By an amazing coincidence, I happened to watch the TV adaptation of The … Continue reading L’EXCROISSANCE or, Giving the (Moving) Finger to Christie
BRAD’S FIRST ANNUAL BINGE AWARDS!
To binge = to indulge for a short period of time in an activity to excess, especially drinking alcohol and eating. Not a very pleasant or healthy notion. My question is, if we add “watching TV” to that equation, does that elevate the concept of binging? Probably not, but it’s an important thing to ask, … Continue reading BRAD’S FIRST ANNUAL BINGE AWARDS!
“THE LOOK ON A PERSON’S FACE”: Christie’s Murder Is Easy
1939 marked the conclusion of the most prolific decade of Agatha Christie’s career. Coming off nine straight novels in a row featuring her Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (including the classics The A.B.C. Murders and Death on the Nile), Christie ended this streak with two stand-alone mysteries that shared one trait – both were concerned with … Continue reading “THE LOOK ON A PERSON’S FACE”: Christie’s Murder Is Easy
AGATHA CHRISTIE AS FEMINIST: Appointment With Death
In 1926, Agatha Christie’s husband Archie asked her for a divorce, having fallen in love with another woman. Her subsequent actions could be looked on as both revenge and empowerment: first, the famous “disappearance” which led to suspicions that Colonel Christie might have done away with his wife, and then a series of characterizations throughout … Continue reading AGATHA CHRISTIE AS FEMINIST: Appointment With Death
CANCELLED: The Final Call for a TV Non-Celebrity
Who out there could be unaware that for the past sixteen years I have hosted a game show? Every week, on Bay Area Quiz Kids, I was introduced as “the best host on the West Coast,” a subtle dig at What’s-His-Name on Jeopardy. This caused Mr. Trebek such distress that, when he visited my home … Continue reading CANCELLED: The Final Call for a TV Non-Celebrity
CHRISTIE’S THE CLOCKS: The Ravaging Effects of Time
“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
Ah Sweet Mystery! 