Month: January 2019

Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent

Radicals, extremists, anarchists, terrorists… they’ve been around in some form since the dawn of civilization. Adolf Verloc would seem an unlikely agent of terror. Ostensibly he was a shopkeeper. “The shop was small, and so was the house. It was one of those grimy brick houses which existed in large quantities before the era of… Read More ›

Classic Spy Thrillers

Begin a new year by reading some of the best crime novels from years past. I invite readers of The Poisoned Martini to join me—online that is—in reading classic spy thrillers. These four titles appear on both the Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time and the Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time lists… Read More ›

Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2018?

Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2018. Based on circulation figures at my local library, these were the most checked out fantasy titles in 2018. Some surprising entries ranked high on this year’s list… *** 10. The Invisible Library… Read More ›

Top 10 Mysteries of 2018?

With the advent of a new year, it’s time to take one last look at 2018 and the most popular mysteries that readers picked up. Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out mysteries in 2018. Not surprisingly women authors ranked supreme taking all top ten slots!… Read More ›

Writing Challenge 66

Begin the new year with a renewed commitment to writing! Reserve some time to write each day. Perhaps that’s what action will happen in the photo below? A small round table set for two sits in a corner of a darkened restaurant, bar, or lounge. Especially reserved, but for who? Surely it’s not for a… Read More ›