By now, it will have become clear, at least to myself and all the sensible people who pay attention to my whining, that I have to cancel my plans to return to London this summer. The Bodies in the Library conference has been postponed, the buildings are empty, and the streets are bare – and … Continue reading TAKING TIME TO SAVOR CHRISTIE: Four Decades Worth of Suggestions
Hercule Poirot
GAME, SET AND (UN) MATCHED: A Discussion of Mirrors and Follies
Margot Kinberg taught me to seek inspiration in the words of my fellow bloggers, and that is what happened to me yesterday. My buddy Kate over at Cross Examining Crime re-read and reviewed Dead Man’s Folly. I figure that few Christie fans start a conversation with, “Oh, yes, and my favorite book of hers is … Continue reading GAME, SET AND (UN) MATCHED: A Discussion of Mirrors and Follies
GAD = GORY AND DARK: Sarah Phelps Takes On the Establishment
The latest BBC rendition of an Agatha Christie classic , 1936’s The ABC Murders, has just dropped onto Amazon Prime. Now we forward-thinking Americans can add our two cents to the European reaction over Sarah Phelps’ treatment of the Mistress of Mystery. (I believe the words “Burn the witch and her laptop!” have been uttered in … Continue reading GAD = GORY AND DARK: Sarah Phelps Takes On the Establishment
TWO REVIEWS, TWO QUESTIONS: Part One
Here is the first question: Why is Sophie Hannah writing the new Poirot novels? For many of you, the real question is why anyone should endeavor to continue Hercule Poirot’s career forty-five years after his true creator’s death? It’s a good question, but it’s not my question. Notice the italics on the name "Sophie Hannah." It … Continue reading TWO REVIEWS, TWO QUESTIONS: Part One
THE GREATEST DETECTIVE OF THEM ALL
First the good news: The Tuesday Night Bloggers are back, and we’re bigger than ever! And we have a month of posts planned for you that focus on the greatest detectives that ever lived . . . in the pages of literature. We do this in honor of a new book, edited by Eric Sandberg, … Continue reading THE GREATEST DETECTIVE OF THEM ALL
READER’S CHOICE: The Detective or the Egg?
About six weeks ago, I invited the blogosphere to suggest GAD topics for a mammoth group discussion between my blogging buddies Noah, JJ and me. The response was staggering. Okay, three people replied, but they were great suggestions, and I thank you! One of them came from my online friend rkottery: “How about the role … Continue reading READER’S CHOICE: The Detective or the Egg?
THE EVIDENCE OF THE TATTERED PAPERBACK: Fifty Years of MotOE and Me
Two hundred posts are something to celebrate. It’s time to talk about the book that changed my life. The fact that Agatha Christie is my favorite author has as much to do with her place in my own history as her position as one of the greatest mystery writers of all time. She did not … Continue reading THE EVIDENCE OF THE TATTERED PAPERBACK: Fifty Years of MotOE and Me