Reviews 
Whether it be a book, movie, or something else, here’s a critique.
Navigating Reviews
I don’t usually pay attention to reviews until after I’ve read a book. I like to form my own opinion first and then see how it compares to others’ thoughts. Sometimes though–especially when selecting books for a discussion group or in looking for a new author–I do look at reviews. Recently, I read a news… Read More ›
Aunt Dimity’s Death
What constitutes a mystery? In this delightful tale, Lori Shepherd learns that her Aunt Dimity has died. “I was stunned. Not because she was dead, but because I had never known she’d been alive,” says Lori. Her mother used to tell her stories, featuring the indomitable Aunt Dimity. Recently, Lori’s life has been a downward spiral. She… Read More ›
Drood the Musical
It’s the solve-it yourself Broadway Musical! One of the first musicals I ever saw–and still one of my top ten favorites–is The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which played in Syracuse at the Civic Center on October 17 & 18, 1988. I was drawn to it because it was a murder mystery and was thrilled to… Read More ›
Death at La Fenice II
Having finished this Donna Leon mystery set in Venice, I’m a bit disappointed. This first Guido Brunetti story is marvelously written. The language, dialogue, characterizations are all superb. (See previous post here.) The mystery aspect of the story, however, is not up to par. A famous German conductor, Maestro Helmut Wellauer, is poisoned during a performance of… Read More ›
Death at La Fenice I
Normally I don’t like to review a book before I’ve finished reading it, but in the few chapters I’ve read so far, Death at La Fenice has thoroughly captured my attention. I don’t yet know how strongly the mystery aspect will play out, but the writing and characterizations are excellent. This first Guido Brunetti police… Read More ›
Achilles
A lyrical exploration of the Greek hero Achilles, this short novel by Elizabeth Cook reads like an epic poem. Just over a hundred pages in length, the story is told in three parts. The first deals directly with Achilles and his exploits. The second describes the aftermath of Achilles’ death and the fall of Troy. Finally, the short… Read More ›
The Clairvoyant Countess
I foresee a mystery in your future… The Clairvoyant Countess was one of the first mysteries (not by Agatha Christie) that I read. At the time, I was intrigued by the occult element in mystery stories, and the idea of a psychic detective was a “new” curiosity. Originally written circa 1975, I picked up a… Read More ›
An Expert in Murder
Using “real” people as the detective in fiction seems to be growing in popularity these days. Of course, this isn’t a new phenomenon. Eleanor Roosevelt solved political mysteries in a series by son Elliott Roosevelt. Benjamin Franklin finds adventure in the humor-filled pages of Robert Lee Hall’s books, and Jane Austen turns detective in Stephanie… Read More ›
The Eight
It has 64 squares in rows of black and white. Upon its surface, the rank and file of pawns are poised for the game to begin… Ever since I was a little kid when my dad taught me how to play, I have been a fan of Chess. When I stumbled across this book and… Read More ›
later, at the bar
“Inviting as a good shot of whiskey on a cold winter night,” later, at the bar is a look at small town life and the characters who inhabit it. This collection of interconnected short stories reads like a novel. The narrative flow and recurring characters form a cohesive whole. In fact, some of the stories… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 