What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly large sums of cash for so-so reading copies of their titles? After providing a particularly thrilled recipient with a copy of Constance and Gwenyth Little’s BLACK … Read more
The very first mystery bookstore I entered was Whodunit? in Philadelphia PA. I was a teen with my mom, and deliberately looked up and found this particular store because I had a couple of books I wanted to sell and they said they bought books in exchange for credit. I was enthralled upon entering. I … Read more
After finding the ABE article about books exploring the theme of twins, I became intrigued, and realized I had one of the titles in my TBR pile. It had been there quite awhile. I think because every time I’d pick it up I’d veto reading it at that moment on the basis of needing something … Read more
Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue––Barbara Paul–1980-OOP Imagine you could tell if one someone was lying? And I’m not talking about body language like so called experts claim on talk shows, but concrete evidence that exposes anyone who likes to fib? That’s the premise of this tongue in cheek novel by Barbara Paul, … Read more
My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read them voraciously. Naturally, Nancy Drew titles and plots lingered in my mind long after my childhood books had been sent on to another needy family member. Judy … Read more
I need books. All the time. I’ve always stated that if I become homeless the shopping cart I push will be full of discarded novels. So when I go away on vacation, I bring books. Yes, real books, with covers, and binding, and fragrant pulp wafting from the pages. Our vacations consist of road trips … Read more
I was aware of a couple of novels published after the authors’ death, but was surprised at the number of rather famous titles that fell into this category. I’m more familiar with crime fiction titles being finished by other authors–Lawrence Block completed a Cornell Woolrich manuscript, Nancy Pickard carried on a series when the original … Read more
