In switching from a monthly author to theme-based posts, I fear the Tuesday Night Bloggers got it a little backward. You see, in May we explored travel and vacations , all whilst I was still slaving away at my teacher’s desk. Now it’s June, when summer vacation starts for haggard educators (oh, and kids, too!), … Continue reading MURDER ON THE BLACKBOARD: Hildegarde Withers on Page and Screen
DUMB WITNESS: Deconstructing Second-Rate Christie
Agatha Christie often complained about Hercule Poirot, but don’t you think she was more or less having us on? Yes, she claimed to have grown tired of his mannerisms and foibles, the very qualities she had instilled in him: his obsession with neatness and order, his vanity over his moustaches and his shoes, his taste … Continue reading DUMB WITNESS: Deconstructing Second-Rate Christie
PLOT VS. CHARACTER: Thoughts Inspired by a Fellow Blogger
“No plot is devoid entirely of character, and even the most character-rich study has to give them something to do – particularly in my given field of crime fiction. At a more atavistic level it’s really about writing over character or plot, but give me that choice and – 63 times out of 80 – … Continue reading PLOT VS. CHARACTER: Thoughts Inspired by a Fellow Blogger
LET THE VACATION COMMENCE: A Blogger’s 12-Step Plan
It’s May 31, the fifth Tuesday of the month, and the final opportunity for the Tuesday Club Bloggers to post on our first “theme” month ever! Curtis, Kate, Bev, Moira, JJ and various guest stars have explored the concept of vacations and transport all month, and I suppose I could have sought out one more … Continue reading LET THE VACATION COMMENCE: A Blogger’s 12-Step Plan
A CASE OF IDENTITY: Losing Oneself in Agatha Christie
The Tuesday Night Bloggers are focusing on vacations this month, and I myself am on the verge of an eleven-week-long break from school. In fact, I have just two more days to go, so you must forgive my greater-than-usual fuzziness this week. I won’t discuss trains, boats or planes this time. Instead, I wanted to … Continue reading A CASE OF IDENTITY: Losing Oneself in Agatha Christie
THE HEAT IS ON: Ellery Queen on Vacation
The Tuesday Night Bloggers have dedicated the month of May to variations on the theme of transportation, travel, and vacation. Ah, vacation! What educator doesn’t thrill to the sound of that word in early May? I have exactly four full days and three half days of work left before mine starts . . . not … Continue reading THE HEAT IS ON: Ellery Queen on Vacation
THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GORY: Christie and Hitchcock Ride the Rails
I recently read an article about what a boon the self-driving car will be to all of us who like to multi-task as we travel. “Driving is the biggest waste of time,” the proposers of this dubious technology cry, “because the only thing you accomplish is getting from one point to another!” I only hope … Continue reading THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GORY: Christie and Hitchcock Ride the Rails
EVOLUTION OF A COURTROOM MYSTERY: Witness for the Prosecution
They’re celebrating all mysterious things from 1957 over at Rich’s wonderful blog, Past Offenses, so I thought I’d join the party with some thoughts on Witness for the Prosecution, Billy Wilder’s film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s short story. Discussion will follow which necessitates spoiling the central gimmick of the story. Now, I can’t really imagine anyone … Continue reading EVOLUTION OF A COURTROOM MYSTERY: Witness for the Prosecution
IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
Has anyone ever seen the 1969 comedy, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, about the misadventures of a group of tourists on a 19-day trip through Europe? It certainly put me off the concept of conducted tours, and it reminded me that no matter how hard you may try, even the best-laid plans for … Continue reading IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
FUGUE FOR TEN BODIES: Thoughts on Directing And Then There Were None
Last night was opening night for And Then There Were None, which I directed at the high school where I have been teaching drama for the past twenty-four years. I have been living with this production in my head for the past twelve months, and I approached it with mixed feelings of excitement and concern. … Continue reading FUGUE FOR TEN BODIES: Thoughts on Directing And Then There Were None
Ah Sweet Mystery! 