We have given a lot of space here to the Queens of Crime. More and more, however I’ve been turning my attentions to the Duchesses of Domestic Suspense! To my great shame, I haven’t yet read anything by Patricia Highsmith, a troubled woman whose books focused on the abnormal and most frightening members of the human … Continue reading A FRENZY OF ENVY: Celia Fremlin’s The Jealous One
THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ
Today marks the beginning of the annual Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay! While you read this, there are walks and teas and library events and detection galore going on all around Torquay and neighboring Paignton! How we all wish we could be there, right? I tell you what, though: I don’t mind in the least … Continue reading THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY GREAT BIG GIGANTIC AGATHA CHRISTIE QUIZ
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
When you’re watching thirty-six films noirs over several months, all from the same year, not all of them can be Grade-A noir! The last trio was pretty rough, but I went into this next batch with high hopes – and a little anxiety, for amongst these titles was one “classic” film with which I did not get along … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
Considering this month marks my tenth anniversary, one hopes that the next nine films on the list for our upcoming Noirvember ’55 draft would be bangers, every one of them! (Here’s the entire list.) Today’s trio, sadly, does not bode well! Murder Is My Beat The premise for this one sounds like something out of … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
Oh #$%&! Not Another Blogger’s Tenth Anniversary!!
I have never been a trendy guy. It isn’t like I haven’t tried, but I’ve always been slow on the uptake. Just before I started high school, I demanded that my mom, who had forever dressed me in dark pants, white socks, and black loafers, buy me a pair of trendy bell bottoms and platform … Continue reading Oh #$%&! Not Another Blogger’s Tenth Anniversary!!
SATURDAY REVIEW: The Thursday Murder Club
What is the world coming to? It used to be that if one announced a new film based on a hugely popular novel and starring Oscar, Tony and Olivier winner Helen Mirren, Oscar and Grammy winner Sir Ben Kingsley, Tony and Olivier winner Sir Jonathan Pryce, and 72-year-old-but-he’s-still-got-it former Bondsman Pierce Brosnan, you would reach … Continue reading SATURDAY REVIEW: The Thursday Murder Club
THE ERLE STANLEY GARDNER INDEX
This is a work in progress dedicated to the reading of one of my favorite authors. To say that Gardner was prolific is beyond understatement. There are hundreds of writings that have nothing to do with his three biggest achievements: the Perry Mason series, the Cool and Lam series, and the D.A. series. (There is … Continue reading THE ERLE STANLEY GARDNER INDEX
THE POIROT PROJECT #11: Hickory Dickory Dock
Dr. John Curran’s description of what he found over the fifty pages of Notebook 12 that comprised the planning of Hickory Dickory Dock (U.S. title: Hickory Hickory Death) suggest that Agatha didn’t have much fun writing it: “Each of the first five pages of notes for this book is headed ‘Holiday Task,’ suggesting that it was written … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #11: Hickory Dickory Dock
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
Today we reach the halfway point in our 36-film list of 1955 films noirs that Sergio Angelini compiled for our Noirvember draft. (Find the list here.) Sergio, Nick Cardillo and I are currently watching and evaluating each of these in order to present our Top 13 list to you. Today’s threesome includes a top favorite, one that … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
THE NEIGHS HAVE IT: The Case of the Fan-Dancer’s Horse
If experience is any measure, the majority of Perry Mason mysteries begin one morning, afternoon, or evening in Mason’s law office with the arrival of an intriguing new client. Doesn’t sound very exciting, perhaps, but I get a thrill every time it happens. What bizarre situation is the ingenue secretary, eccentric old woman, blonde bombshell, … Continue reading THE NEIGHS HAVE IT: The Case of the Fan-Dancer’s Horse
Ah Sweet Mystery! 