Mystery 
Murders in the Rue Morgue
“The mental features discoursed of as the analytical, are, in themselves, but little susceptible of analysis.” Thus begins “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, which first appeared in Graham’s Magazine in 1841 and is widely considered the first true detective story. Although its solution might appear fantastical, Poe’s first Dupin tale lays out the foundation… Read More ›
Vera Caspary’s Laura
“Near the door, a few feet from the spot where the body had fallen, hung Stuart Jacoby’s portrait of Laura.” Imagine falling in love with the portrait of a woman who is presumed dead. The life-like representation, however accurate, draws the interest of the detective investigating the case. His job is to learn everything… Read More ›
Baker Street Irregulars
Read along with The Poisoned Martini … A master of detection and deduction, Sherlock Holmes has inspired countless books and movies since his first appearance over a century ago. Join me in reading the novels selected for the series, “Baker Street Irregulars.” As before with previous discussion series, “A Taste of Murder” in 2011; “Unusual… Read More ›
Second Helping of Murder
A missing girl’s body surfaces in the second book of the Comfort Food Mystery series. Trixie Matkowski “fondly remembers summers as a child spent visiting the shores of Lake Ontario.” Now, Trixie owns the Silver Bullet Diner and the cottages once owned by her aunt and uncle and where she had spent those summers. Unfortunately,… Read More ›
10 Classic Mysteries to Read This Summer
Recommended Reads: 10 Classic Mysteries Summer is a great opportunity to relax and read those books sitting in our “to be read” pile. If you’re a mystery fan like me, consider reading some classic examples of the genre. These selections often appear on “best of” lists; so if you haven’t read them, now is the… Read More ›
Black Dog
The title of Stephen Booth’s debut mystery comes from an expression in “some country places” where a person suffering melancholy is described as having “the black dog on his back.” For much of the novel, several characters could be said to have the black dog weighing them down. The story begins ominously. A granddaughter tells… Read More ›
In the Woods
After presenting an idyllic scene of summer past in which three children play, the prologue ends chillingly with the words… “These children will not be coming of age, this or any other summer. This August will not ask them to find hidden reserves of strength and courage as they confront the complexity of the adult… Read More ›
Wicked Syracuse
Every city has its secrets… “Like any city, Syracuse holds secrets. Some secrets are simply things that don’t get said, but others are juicy–the stuff scandals, soap operas and miniseries are made of. If stalwart heroes made Syracuse a vibrant, growing city, so too did the miscreants that dot the city’s history.” Reading like the… Read More ›
Armchair Sleuths
Read along with The Poisoned Martini … Armchair Sleuths tend to solve their cases with acuity and without venturing far from home. From some of the earliest examples of the genre to the most recent crime thrillers delving into dark corners of the mind, this selection of titles will you a cursory look at the… Read More ›
Pen, Ink, and Crimes
The newest blog added to my links page is Pen, Ink, and Crimes. The blog, begun in August 2010, is a home of sorts for the New England chapter of Sisters in Crime. The focus was to “update you on our news and information” but has expanded to include tips on writing, interviews, and more. 2010 saw… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 