Reviews 
Whether it be a book, movie, or something else, here’s a critique.
Wondrous Beginnings
How did some of science fiction greatest authors get their start? Collected in Wondrous Beginnings are the stories that launched the careers of such science fiction masters as Stephen Baxter, Orson Scott Card, Arthur C. Clarke, Anne McCaffrey, and Gene Wolfe, among others. The collection spans nearly one hundred years! The first story included was… Read More ›
The Agatha Christie Companion
People magazine called it, “Indispensable!” An entertaining and informative guide, The Agatha Christie Companion: the Complete Guide to Agatha Christie’s Life and Work is indeed indispensable. Originally published in 1984, a revised, paperback edition was released by Berkley Books in November of 1989. It is this paperback edition that is perhaps the rattiest book I own;… Read More ›
A Darker God
Does Dionysus, god of wine and the theatre, demand sacrifice? In this third Laetitia Talbot mystery, the theme is revenge, and someone will stop at nothing to achieve it. The Prologue opens in ancient Mycaenae, circa 1200 B.C. A man—too old to go off and fight in the Trojan war—serves as lookout for the bonfires that… Read More ›
Origin
“Victims exist in another dimension, as far as I’m concerned–they’re theoretical. The police meet the victims; we work in an office. I wouldn’t have become a print examiner if I wanted to meet victims.” Lena Dawson, a fingerprint examiner at a crime lab in Syracuse, New York, arrives at work and encoutners Erin Cogan. Erin’s… Read More ›
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery!
“You may leave the village along one of two paths. One leads up into the hills…The other takes a downhill route…turn to page # to follow your path.” In the 1980s, Choose Your Own Adventures with their second-person point of view engaged thousands of young kids—and me—with a wide variety of mystery, fantasy, and scifi adventures. … Read More ›
Three Bags Full
“He was healthy yesterday,” said Maude. Her ears twitched nervously. “That doesn’t mean anything,” pointed out Sir Ritchfield, the oldest ram in the flock. “He didn’t die of illness. Spades are not an illness.” Indeed! This clever start to Leonie Swann’s Three Bags Full immediately draws readers into the story, and it is an unusual… Read More ›
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
Master Jia is giving a tour of a great wonder under construction when, upon entering the sunlight, he begins to spontaneously combust. Is this some divine retribution? Are supernatural forces at work? No, it is a case of murder in China, circa 690 A.D. When judges from China’s supreme court begin their investigation, it is… Read More ›
Immortals (2011)
Greek mythology stirs the soul with gods bickering, heroes defeating monstrous beasts, and rich stories explaining the cosmos. Perhaps as much myth has been lost to us as that which has survived to the present day. With advances in CGI and other cinematic effects, more films have explored these fantasical stories. Yet many stray from the… Read More ›
Dead Man’s Folly
“It’s a very wicked world, M. Poirot. And there are very wicked people in the world. You probably know that as well as I do. I don’t say so before the younger people, it might discourage them, but it’s true…Yes, it’s a very wicked world…” So says Mrs. Folliat to M. Poirot at the end of Chapter… Read More ›
Hillary Waugh’s Guide
Take a guided tour of the mystery genre with this writing reference book, Hillary Waugh’s Guide to Mysteries & Mystery Writing. Published in 1991, not long after I began writing mysteries, this was—and still is—a book I read for inspiration and ideas. The book is essentially a two-in-one guide. The first part focuses on “The History… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 