Amidst the array of masterpieces that constitute the Christies of the 1930’s, Death in the Clouds (American title: Death in the Air) suffers by comparison. Hercule Poirot spent a large part of this decade “en route” to one place or another, but despite a chapter or two spent in Paris, Clouds is firmly set in London and nearby suburbs. … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #7: Death in the Clouds
I KNOW WHY THIS CAGED BIRD SINGS: The Case of the Perjured Parrot
“‘Well,’ Mason said, ‘now that the parrot’s dead, we might as well . . .’ “‘But the parrot isn’t dead,’ Drake interrupted. ‘You have the parrot. I suppose that the parrot is a witness to something or other – probably the murder – but damned if I see how he could have been. Tell me, … Continue reading I KNOW WHY THIS CAGED BIRD SINGS: The Case of the Perjured Parrot
MAYBE I’M A-MAZED: The Labyrinth House Murders
Back in June, 2016 I fell a little bit in love – with a book. I was able to read The Decagon House Murders (1987) due to the efforts of three men: author Yukito Ayatsuji, scholar and translator Ho-Ling Wong, and Locked Room Internationalpublisher John Pugmire. I was a fresh-off-the-farm blogger and had never heard of Japan’s honkaku mystery movement. … Continue reading MAYBE I’M A-MAZED: The Labyrinth House Murders
SIDE BY HOMICIDE BY SONDHEIM
“Seriously? What in the world do Sondheim and crime fiction have in common?” That question, gracing the back cover of Josh Pachter’s eighth “Inspired by . . . “ story anthology, Every Day a Little Death: Crime Fiction inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim, has an easy answer. At least it does for those of … Continue reading SIDE BY HOMICIDE BY SONDHEIM
KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
Is there any fictional character who has been showered with parodies, pastiches, homages and adaptations as much as Sherlock Holmes? Has anyone even tried to keep track of all the stories, novels, plays, movies, and games that have gotten their inspiration from the most famous detective of all time? I am no Holmesian scholar. In my lifetime, … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall
ENCORE: More TV Mysteries to Watch
After recently reviewing the first two episodes of Netflix’s The Residence and a few other series, I received a request and two suggestions. So here I am, delivering on my . . . well, I promised nothing, and nobody asked. So here goes. The request came from Hannah, who was interested to hear what I thought about The … Continue reading ENCORE: More TV Mysteries to Watch
“I’ve got (another) little list . . . ” Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1940’s
My Book Club has come up with a wonderful idea to spice up our monthly meetings. We’ve determined that it isn’t necessary to read a classic mystery each time (especially since we have a spotty track record when it comes to finding titles we can all enjoy); what matters is that we have a grand time talking about classic … Continue reading “I’ve got (another) little list . . . ” Ten Favorite Mysteries of the 1940’s
FOUR FOR THE (EASY) CHAIR: Current Mysteries on TV
If you want to read a mystery, the sky’s the limit! At least, that’s what I hope you’ve figured out from this humble blog and the thoughts of others or from a quick trip to your local bookstore. But if you want to watch a mystery, the pickings are relatively slim. Forget the movie theatres! Times have changed … Continue reading FOUR FOR THE (EASY) CHAIR: Current Mysteries on TV
THE POIROT PROJECT #6: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Agatha Christie’s twenty-eighth mystery and the nineteenth featuring Hercule Poirot, has the disadvantage of being surrounded by better titles. Its two predecessors are And Then There Were None, the greatest mystery of all time, and Sad Cypress, a haunting and beautifully written story. And it is followed by Evil Under the Sun, perhaps Christie’s most fun mystery, … Continue reading THE POIROT PROJECT #6: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
CURSE YOU, ROBBIE BURNS! The Reunion That Didn’t Happen
Having the poet’s worst predictions come true is never fun, but over this past weekend, my best-laid plans for a Christie reunion “gang aft very very agley” indeed! When my pal Christopher Diehl announced a few months ago that he would be directing a Christie double bill for the Riverside Community Players, it felt like the perfect … Continue reading CURSE YOU, ROBBIE BURNS! The Reunion That Didn’t Happen
Ah Sweet Mystery! 