My buddy JJ over at The Invisible Event unfortunately has to go on a short hiatus. I will miss his erudite excursions into mystery fiction, particularly the joy with which he tackles those classic impossible crime stories he so relishes! I thought I would salute JJ with my view on one of Agatha Christie’s rare … Continue reading SO MUCH BLOOD: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
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
THE QUINTESSENTIAL CARR: He Who Whispers
In a Facebook discussion about John Dickson Carr that was sparked by a posted review of his classic The Three Coffins (which I reviewed myself here last week), author and fellow blogger Curtis Evans from The Passing Tramp described his own experiences with the author. While he had thoroughly enjoyed reading Carr as a young … Continue reading THE QUINTESSENTIAL CARR: He Who Whispers
VINTAGE NOIR: Three Films from 1947
Every month at Past Offences, Rich picks a year and invites bloggers everywhere to celebrate the mystery offerings the particular year produced in literature and film. (Check out the results for 1933 here.) For March, Rich allowed regular contributor Santosh to pick the year just because Santosh solved a mystery Rich had posted. (My answer, … Continue reading VINTAGE NOIR: Three Films from 1947
LOCKED ROOM TALES: The Disciple, Paul Halter
As this baby blogger wanders through the sphere reading the work of others who have honed in on mystery fiction as their specialty, one name that keeps recurring is that of Paul Halter. Author of thirty-nine novels and two short story collections, nearly all of them impossible crime mysteries, he is considered the French John … Continue reading LOCKED ROOM TALES: The Disciple, Paul Halter
LOCKED ROOM TALES: John Dickson Carr, The Master
Forgive me if this post is uncomfortably long and rambling! I admit that I am trying to kill two birds with one stone (something I’m sure one of Carr’s murderers would accomplish in a suitably tricky way!) First, this begins a sporadic series about the locked-room murder, a sub-genre of mystery novel that is admittedly … Continue reading LOCKED ROOM TALES: John Dickson Carr, The Master
A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
“’Do you mean that you’ve had no sexual experience at ALL?’ demanded the young man incredulously. ‘At nineteen? But you must. It’s vital.’ “The girl hung her head unhappily, her straight greasy hair fell forward over her face. “‘I know,’ she muttered. ‘I know.’ “He looked at her, stained old jersey, the bare feet, the … Continue reading A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
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
KATE MADE ME DO IT: A Workplace Quiz
The beginning of every year is extraordinarily busy for me because that’s when I gear up at school to present the big musical! (This year we produced Nice Work If You Can Get It, with music by George Gershwin, and it went very well, thank you.) Consequently, I have had neither the time nor the inclination toward reading, … Continue reading KATE MADE ME DO IT: A Workplace Quiz
POIROT ON THE TRAIL: Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
This post is part of the celebration of all mysterious books and movies in 1933 going on here at Rich’s blog, Past Offenses. Ironically, I thought I would take a look at this 1933 novel in context with Hercule Poirot novels form other years, including the one I most recently read:1963’s The Clocks. … Continue reading POIROT ON THE TRAIL: Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
Ah Sweet Mystery! 