Today’s read was an impulse charity shop purchase. I have read a few books by this writing duo (Patrick Quentin was a penname for more than one collaboration, but for this novel it was for Richard …| crossexaminingcrime
Today’s a read is a recent edition to the A Very Short Introduction series. I have read various ones over the years, including one on Crime Fiction (2015). This was a particularly bad reading exper…| crossexaminingcrime
Today I am diving into the middle of the Marjorie Swallow, 1920s mystery series, written by Anna Sayburn Lane. I decided to try the third book in the series because of the Chelsea Flower show context, as it is not one that I have really come across before, and my mother-in-law is rather fond of […]| crossexaminingcrime
No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding Author: Catherine Mack Genre: Cozy Mystery Publication Date: May 13, 2025 Publisher: Minotaur Books Series: The Vacation Mysteries #2 Thank you to N…| Leah's Books
Carolyn Keene’s The Secret of Shadow Ranch, the fifth book in the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, takes our girl sleuth out of River Heights and into the rugged, sun-scorched canyons of Arizona. First published in 1931, this entry delivers an exciting mix of Western adventure, supernatural mystery, and classic Nancy Drew pluck. Plot […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
One of the most delightfully odd tales in the Sherlock Holmes canon, “The Red-Headed League” showcases Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s talent for mixing humor, eccentricity, and classic detective work into a perfectly crafted short story. “The Red-Headed League” was first published in The Strand in 1891. The Plot Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story The […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
Introduction The Adventure of the Gloria Scott” is one of the earliest tales in the Sherlock Holmes canon—not in terms of publication, but in the life of Holmes himself. It holds a unique position as a kind of origin story, revealing the moment when a young, university-aged Sherlock first flexed his deductive muscles. Told as […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
This week, I’ll be reviewing a selection of cat-themed short stories and books for #ReadingtheMeow2025. Most of my picks are from the Golden Age of Mystery fiction, which is set between the two world wars. So far, I’ve reviewed three short stories: “The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael” by Agatha Christie, “The Cyprian Cat” […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
Reading the Meow is back for 2025, and I am so excited to participate for my second year in a row! This cat-themed reading challenge, hosted by Literary Potpourri, is not just about reading; itR…| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
There are a few vintage mystery novels which focus on a jury. The first two that sprang to mind were Verdict of Twelve (1940) by Raymond Postgate and The Jury (1932) by Gerald Bullett. Curtis Evans…| crossexaminingcrime
Lana Hansen’s future is looking bright. She has money in her bank account, a babysitter for her cat, and even a boyfriend. Regrettably she won’t get to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her new beau, Chad. Instead, she will be leading a lovers-only tour in France. Luckily for Lana, her best friend, Willow, and her partner, Jane, will be joining her.| Jennifer S. Alderson