Of all the writers I've read and written about for this blog, no one confounds me quite like Fuminori Nakamura. The last time I reviewed one of his books, The Rope Artist, I grappled with my feelings about his work. If we had a Facebook relationship status it would be 'it's complicated'.| Mysteries Ahoy!
When I began my Holmes on Film series, I knew there would be some rough spots. There was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes - a film that pitted the Great Detective against dinosaurs. That movie was a masterpiece compared to the 'comedy' film, Holmes and Watson.| Mysteries Ahoy!
The Jealous One is my first experience reading Celia Fremlin. It is the story of a disappearing neighbor, a disintegrating marriage, and tensions in suburbia. It mixes elements of mystery, domestic suspense, and beautifully observed social drama. All wrapped up in middle class anxiety.| Mysteries Ahoy!
Occasionally people get in touch with me to let me know what type of content they want for the blog. The most frequent thing asked for is for me to review their book. Second are requests for me to review Smallbone, Deceased. I am not sure what it is about that title that leads to it being singled out. I will get to it someday, I promise! But in a close third place are requests for me to do more of my Five to Try series.| Mysteries Ahoy!
While The Hound of the Baskervilles was being filmed, Fox announced it would be the first installment in a series. They would make a sequel that was to be based on William Gillette's long-running play.| Mysteries Ahoy!
Yes, it's time for me to return to the adventures of Detective Conan.| Mysteries Ahoy!
There are several reasons that I typically prefer to read a series in order. One is that I like to chart the development of a writer and their style. But the other is that I am, at heart, terribly …| Mysteries Ahoy!
Originally published 195987th Precinct #10Preceded by ’til DeathFollowed by Give the Boys a Great Big Hand For a wealthy businessman, a kidnapping puts him in a predicament as troubling as an…| Mysteries Ahoy!
It is amazing how tempus fugit. Incredibly seven years have passed since I last read and wrote about a Falco novel, Shadows in Bronze. While I found that book disappointing, I think the character and setting have a lot to commend themselves. I certainly didn't expect it would take this long to return to Rome!| Mysteries Ahoy!
It is a hot, steamy night in the city of Wells, South Carolina. Officer Sam Wood is out on patrol, driving its sleepy streets. His route comes to an abrupt halt when he spots a body in the highway. There lies the body of Enrico Mantoli, a conductor who is in town to set up a music festival.| Mysteries Ahoy!
It's been a few months since I last posted a round-up of genre film and television works I have watched. Rather than doing it monthly, I think it is more sustainable to do these quarterly.| Mysteries Ahoy!
I have some good news…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Originally published in 1929 Roger Sheringham #5Preceded by The Silk Stocking MurdersFollowed by The Second Shot Sir Eustace is a cad of the first water, with a specialty in other men’s wives…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Anthony Berkeley at Sherborne School in 1911, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons In Berkeley, wit, charm and flair warred with demons. He loved to confound people’s expectations. The contra…| Mysteries Ahoy!
The BBC has been making quality radio adaptations of vintage crime novels for decades. Unfortunately though, with the exceptions of Christie and Sayers, these adaptations haven’t been easy to…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray investigate the murder of a medium during a séance.| Mysteries Ahoy!
The Detective Wore Silk DrawersPeter LoveseyOriginally Published 1970Sergeant Cribb #2Preceded by Wobble to DeathFollowed by Abracadaver A few years ago Soho Crime reissued the Cribb stories with s…| Mysteries Ahoy!
The Sergeant Cribb mysteries hold a special place in my heart. This is not only as a reader but also as a blogger. The reason is that this series has been with me since the start of the blog. My ve…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Between 1960 and 2005, five different film directors tried to tackle a common subject: the character of Tom Ripley. These five films, adapted from the first three novels in Patricia Highsmith’…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Recently I have been watching a lot of vintage movies in the mystery and crime genres. At first I had intended to write individual posts about them but I quickly realized that would overwhelm the o…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Endless Night is best viewed as a work of literary fiction in which there is a crime. The reason for this is that though there is a murder, it occurs very late in the book. Instead the book follows…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Originally published 1984 Graham Marshall is a respectable husband and father and dedicated London businessman. He’s always played by the rules, believing that’s the surest way to climb the corpora…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Originally Published 1938Nigel Strangeways #4Preceded by There’s Trouble BrewingFollowed by The Smiler with the Knife What do you do when you plan a murder then, inexplicably, your victim tur…| Mysteries Ahoy!
The Judas Window is one of the most celebrated books in John Dickson Carr’s bibliography. When Ed Hoch conducted his famous poll of mystery writers’ favorite locked room mysteries, the …| Mysteries Ahoy!
A Quiet PlaceSeicho MatsumotoOriginally Published 1975 A Quiet Place is one of those novels that presents a particular challenge to review without mentioning at least a few spoilers. This is becaus…| Mysteries Ahoy!
We are only be a few days into the New Year but I am already looking to the future. I spent this morning perusing publishers and booksellers’ websites and catalogs. A few publishers have yet …| Mysteries Ahoy!
Below are my thoughts on the TV and films I watched this month that can be said to fall within the mystery or crime genres (or that are close enough that I think there’s crossover appeal). Th…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Originally published in 1932The American edition was published as Clerical Error that same year The Reverend Mr. Pardicott is struck by the idea that he should kill one of his parishioners, Colonel…| Mysteries Ahoy!
Those of you who have been around this blog for a while will know that I am a bit of a fan of the inverted mystery. While I make a point to read a pretty wide variety of crime and mystery fiction, …| Mysteries Ahoy!
The Voice is a collection of six short stories written by the prolific Japanese mystery writer, Seicho Matsumoto. I have read several of his novels over the years, most recently Tokyo Express, and …| Mysteries Ahoy!
I Married a Dead Man tells the story of a young woman in dire straits. Its protagonist, Helen, is unmarried and eight months pregnant. She seeks help from the father but he isn’t interested. …| Mysteries Ahoy!
