Mystery 
Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood V
“It has been often enough remarked that women have a curious power of divining the characters of men, which would seem to be innate and instinctive…” So begins the tenth chapter of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Mrs. Crisparkle having learned of Neville’s transgression in quarreling with Drood at Jasper’s residence believes Neville “may come… Read More ›
Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood IV
“Glaces cut like blade through bone, With daggers drawn I glare at you, There at you who dare presume To stare at whom I’d make my wife And share my life– I’d see you dead Before sweet Rosa wed.” – Neville and Drood, singing in unison, “No Good Can Come from Bad” from the musical… Read More ›
Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood III
So far, nothing truly mysterious has occurred. However, John “Jack” Jasper, choirmaster in the Cathedral town of Cloisterham, has expressed a morbid curiosity in the stonemason Durdles’ craft. More particularly in the crypts beneath the Cathedral. Jasper’s behavior and addiction to opium make him suspect. But is this set up for what is to come or might… Read More ›
Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood II
The first two chapters of Charles Dickens’ last novel introduced a few key characters. Aside from the title character, the most important was Drood’s young uncle, John “Jack” Jasper, choirmaster in the Cathedral town of Cloisterham. In fact, that’s where Chapter Three begins. “For sufficient reasons which this narrative itself unfold as it advances, a… Read More ›
By Its Cover: The Martini Shot
How do we choose what we read? Reviews? Word of mouth? Familiarity? Or by its cover? I’ll admit the first thing that caught my eye about this book was its title: The Martini Shot. Then I noticed it said “a novella and stories” and that it was by George Pelecanos. Now, working in a library,… Read More ›
18 Scandinavian Crime Novels
Recommended Reads: Scandinavian Crime The success of the Steig Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy shined a light on Scandinavian crime. Translations of existing titles and newly imported authors rose in popularity and continue to be read by American audiences today. Here are 18 of the most notable Scandinavian authors who’ve made an… Read More ›
For Your Eyes Only
“M replaced the stamp and the ink pad in the drawer and closed the drawer. He turned the docket around and pushed it gently across the desk to Bond. The red sans-serif letters, still damp, said: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.” This meeting with M occurs in the title story featured in this collection of adventures… Read More ›
Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Read along with The Poisoned Martini each week and examine the the origins of mysteries in the earliest examples of the genre. In April 1870, Charles Dickens’ The Mystery of Edwin Drood began appearing in installments. It would be Dickens’ last novel and one left unfinished at the time of his death. Presumably this was… Read More ›
Hosting a Murder Mystery III
Revisiting and refining themes. Have you ever hosted a murder mystery party? It can be a lot of fun. The idea of hosting one certainly appealed to me, having participated in a few over the years. As a mystery writer, I particularly liked the idea of crafting an original mystery rather than using an out-of-the-box… Read More ›
Josephine Tey’s To Love and Be Wise
Tey’s 3rd Inspector Alan Grant has to be one of the most ingenious mysteries ever written, and it begins with a good-looking young man arriving at a party… “Just inside the door, baffled apparently by the solid wall of talking and drinking humanity, was a young man, looking lost. He still had his hat in… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 