Month: February 2011
The Poisoned Martini – Part II
Here’s Part II of the serialized original eStory written by yours truly exclusively for this website. Rick Gray and others will encounter the poisoned martini in this murder mystery set in Syracuse, New York, in 1987. The police have recently solved the murders at the Syracuse Botanical Gardens. Rick was a suspect in that case. Now,… Read More ›
Friday Cocktail
Finishing off this month’s Amaretto inspired drinks is an Amaretto Sunrise. I guess you could say I’m hoping winter will be over soon. Amaretto Sunrise, similar to the more familiar Tequila Sunrise, is a layered drink. The trick is in how you pour. What you’ll need: Amaretto, Orange Juice, and Grenadine Pour 1 ounce amaretto… Read More ›
Unshapely Things
I slogged through this book. As a fan of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series, I’ve been looking for similar urban paranormal/fantasy series. Mark Del Franco’s Unshapely Things is my most recent trial run read. I found the premise of the book intriguing. Connor Grey is a druid who lost his powers while investigating a case… Read More ›
A Cure for Night
You can rest assured that this book won’t put you to sleep. A Cure for Night starts off as the story of Joel Deveraux, a young attorney, who squandered a successful law career and is now getting a second chance in the public defender’s office in Brooklyn. However, the story becomes so much more than that… Read More ›
Friday Cocktail
For those who might find it embarrassing to order this one out at a restaurant or bar, here’s one way to make Sex on the Beach at home! This drink has a lot of variations depending on people’s whims. Some have used pineapple juice in place of orange. Chambord instead of grenadine. Some with or… Read More ›
City of Light
“The year is 1901. Buffalo, New York, is poised for glory. With its booming industry and newly electrified streets, Buffalo is a model for the century just beginning.” Thus begins the jacket cover description of this historical murder mystery by Lauren Belfer. Published in 1999, City of Light is an engaging look at turn… Read More ›
Hosting a Murder Mystery II
Shortly after moving to our new location in 2008, I hosted my first ever murder mystery party at the library where I work. The event was held on Friday evening after the library was closed, and I designed an original murder mystery plot that participants could solve. For this first event, I had sixteen library patrons… Read More ›
Hosting a Murder Mystery
In less than 30 days, I’ll be hosting my 12th murder mystery evening at the library where I work. These fun events allow mystery lovers to play suspects or innocent bystanders as they attempt to solve an unique mystery designed by yours truly. Generally, I host about four of these mystery events a year. In… Read More ›
Friday Cocktail
If you’ve ever tried Amaretto and Cream, kick it up a notch and try a Godchild! Typically one might just order amaretto and cream, which is a great combination, but a Godchild is served a particular way. What you’ll need: amaretto, vodka, and cream (or half and half) Pour two ounces of amaretto, 1 ounce vodka, and 3 ounces… Read More ›
Hypothermia
This month’s mystery book club pick was Arnaldur Indriðason’s Hypothermia, published in 2007 (translated into English in 2010). This is actually Inspector Erlendur’s eighth case, but only six of his books have been translated into English. Several reviews on Amazon incorrectly refer to this as his sixth case. The story begins with a funeral; Maria’s mother… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 