Fright. Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

 Fright  George Hopley 1950-IP It’s no secret that I love Cornell Woolrich.  There are several entries on this list of his work. Fright is a latecomer to me. Under the pen name of George Hopley, Woolrich wrote a book that I literally could not put down. I was riveted, horrified, wondering if the protagonist would … Read more

There Really Are a Bunch of Mysteries Featuring Thanksgiving!

Who would have thought it? Not me. Thanksgiving in my life is something I’ve always wanted to avoid. Stress, relatives, stress, too much food, and stress were the prevailing elements when I was growing up. Naturally, over the years the holiday was celebrated with other people, but the stress remained–a boyfriend’s mother,  a friend’s family, … Read more

Biblios–Part 5

Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2  Bibilos Focusing on Bookselling/Collectors Part 3  Bibilos Focusing on Writers Part 4  Biblios focusing on Writers Part 5  Biblios Focusing on Publishing Naturally, after I write about the specific areas within mystery biblios, I find slews of other titles that should … Read more

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie—Alan Bradley 2009–IP There’s never been a protagonist quite like 11 year old Flavia DeLuce. Right off the bat you are thrown into her chaotic world where she lives with her two sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, and her widowed father in a decaying manse called Buckshaw. She and her … Read more

The Best Book Covers

  I’ve already stated that the best book covers DO persuade  me and make a difference in whether or not I’ll purchase a title. What I didn’t relate is that dust jacket and book covers are a passion of  mine. I love illustration on practically anything; from packaging perfumes, to ads, to menus, and naturally books. … Read more

Biblios–The Continuing Saga–No. 4

Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2  Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3  Bibilos Focusing on Writers Part 4  Biblios Focusing on Writers Part 5  Biblios Focusing on Publishing I’m amazed at how many mystery books are about writing, authors, publishing, letters, rare manuscripts, diaries, collecting, rare … Read more

They Buried a Man. Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

They Buried a Man   Mildred Davis 1953 –used Mildred Davis is the author I ‘discovered’ recently. Somehow I passed her by all these years. So, I read her Edgar Award winning first novel, and was not as impressed as I had thought I’d be–maybe too much expectation on my part, but there was a romantic attachment … Read more

Stone Quarry. Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

  Stone Quarry— S. J. Rozan  1999-St. Martin’s Press-IP “It can be a treacherous road, State Route 30, especially rain slick in the twilight of late winter, but I know it well. I sped along its badly banked curves faster than legal and faster than necessary. I was heading for Antonelli’s; I had plenty of time. I drove … Read more