Buying an ebook

I don’t have a kindle, nook, ipad, or any other device in which to download books, unless you count my brand new used 4 iphone. Which I don’t. Reading a book on that would be like deciphering the written word from a dollhouse library. And yet, I was almost willing to try. Almost. Who is … Read more

The Dead Ringer–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

The Dead Ringer—Fredric Brown–1948–IP I thought since my last post was about collecting side show/carny books, that I’d give the synopsis of one of the 100 best mysteries, as carnys are its theme. Fredric Brown was a prolific writer. He wrote not only crime fiction, but science fiction as well, and plenty of both. His … Read more

Collecting Side Show/Carny Books

It may seem an odd subject to want to amass titles, but for some, the quirkiness and oddities that circus sideshows and carnivals provide are fascinating subjects. I began to indulge in collecting any mystery that had a smidgen of sideshow or carny theme, and have progressed to purchasing non crime fiction too. Sideshows are … Read more

The Affair at Royalties–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

The Affair At Royalties-George Baxt–1971-OOP I must be honest. I’ve no memory whatsoever of this book–what I mean is, I’ve no remembrance of the plot, characters or setting. The reason–I read it as a teen, and was struck enough by the story to carry around George Baxt’s name in my wallet, in case something else … Read more

After Life–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

After Life—Rhian Ellis–2000-available “First I had to get the body into the boat. This was more than ten years ago, and I’ve forgotten some of what came before and after, but that night and the following day I remember in extravagant detail.” I was hooked immediately from those first lines. I read and read, and … Read more

The Doorbell Rang–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

The Doorbell Rang—Rex Stout–1966 There are a gazillion Rex Stout/Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin novels that are superb. I chose The Doorbell Rang because of its audacious subject and the ending, which I will not be revealing. I’m not alone in loving this particular title. It’s on the list provided by MWA–Mystery Writers of America … Read more

Great Black Kanba–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

Great Black Kanba—Constance and Gwynth Little–1944–IP The sisters were consistently hilarious. “Carolyn Hart (Grand Dame of cosy mystery writing) calls this tale of mistaken identity, barking lizards, multiple beaus and murder on a trans-Australia railroad trip one of her five favorite mysteries ” Great Black Kanba turns out to be my favorite of the bunch, … Read more

No E-Book For Stephen King

I tried to purchase the latest Stephen King this weekend. At an honest to goodness real live indie bookstore in N. Jersey. They were out of stock. Out of stock!! After my mouth stopped its jaw dropping, the bookman explained he couldn’t keep it in the store,  that it’s an original paperback and not in … Read more