A few weeks ago, my pal (and Book Club Arch Nemesis!) the Puzzle Doctor reached his 2000th post on In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel. Not bad for a man who’s only been blogging since 1954. I hit my 500th post last August (it was a dreary review of a dreary book, Dorothy L. Sayers’ The Documents in … Continue reading AIM (NOT SO) STRAIGHT AND TRUE: My Resolutions for 2023
TV
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
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A PAIR OF SHORTS
If there’s one thing classic mystery fans know, it’s that everyone loves a good murder at Christmastime. Reading about rich Uncle Humphrey found under the tree with a stake of holly through his heart is a great way to relieve the stresses of hanging out with your real Uncle Randy who clasps you to his … Continue reading ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A PAIR OF SHORTS
TO BE CONTINUED: Adapting the Modern Mystery
Here’s a quiz: Write down the name of the first Agatha Christie mystery novel you read. Now turn to the person on your left and compare answers. (The chances are about 1 in 66 that they will match.) Next, write down the name of the first Louise Penny novel you read. Now turn to the … Continue reading TO BE CONTINUED: Adapting the Modern Mystery
SO LONG, SHERLOCK: Elementary, Season 7
Early last spring, at one of our Zoom-togethers with my pals Jim and Sergio, we talked TV as we often do, and Sergio said, not for the first time, “You guys really should watch Elementary.” Now I like Sherlock Holmes as much as the next nerd, the show was available to binge on Hulu, and it’s … Continue reading SO LONG, SHERLOCK: Elementary, Season 7
THE JUSTICE LEAGUE: My Ten (or so) Favorite Courtroom Cases
(This is for Carol.) True story: after acing my bar mitzvah at the tender age of 13, I told my parents that when I grew up, I did NOT want to be a rabbi - I wanted to be a movie star. My mom and dad exchanged a look – correct that: it was a Look – … Continue reading THE JUSTICE LEAGUE: My Ten (or so) Favorite Courtroom Cases
FINALE FAKE-OUT: Elementary, Season Six
Five seasons and 120 episodes into Elementary, we are in a good place, following a solid foursome of series regulars through quirky cases, some of them inspired by Doyle’s canon, and a variety of longer arcs, the success of which depend upon your own taste in plotlines, a particular season’s guest star, and how the whole thing … Continue reading FINALE FAKE-OUT: Elementary, Season Six
BOOK CLUB ON THE DEFENSE: The Case of the Shoplifter’s Shoe
Oh, to be in England! This week marks the eve of Bodies from the Library ’22, the long-awaited return to celebrating face-to-face all things related to the Golden Age of Detection. Most of my friends will be there, but here I am, stuck in the provinces. My Facebook feed alternates between the results of friends’ daily … Continue reading BOOK CLUB ON THE DEFENSE: The Case of the Shoplifter’s Shoe
THE SAD SAGA OF SHINWELL JOHNSON: Elementary Season 5
Throughout our journey so far through Elementary, CBS’ modern rendering of detective Sherlock Holmes, creator Robert Doherty has found various ways of turning to the original canon of stories by Arthur Conan Doyle for inspiration. We have seen standalone episodes that have either delighted or disappointed us. More significantly, Doherty has used characters – both major … Continue reading THE SAD SAGA OF SHINWELL JOHNSON: Elementary Season 5
DOWNTON ABBEY, A SAME OLD SAME OLD ERA
Yes, my friends, I know: I do not usually review mainstream films here, as this blog is reserved for the mystery genre, albeit in all its forms. Today, however, I saw Downton Abbey: The New Era, and I would like for a moment to contemplate the mystery of Julian Fellowes. Here’s a man, a well-born peer … Continue reading DOWNTON ABBEY, A SAME OLD SAME OLD ERA
Ah Sweet Mystery! 