Panama—Eric Zenecy—1995–in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I just had to read it. And the critics were correct. The atmosphere is palpable, you almost feel the Seine, wafting towards you, the anxiety over a missing woman, the thrill of a new discovery, identifying fingerprints. Imagine what that … Read more
An interesting subject I know zilch about–playing cards. I don’t understand poker, bridge, whatever other games are played with those interesting things full of hearts, spades, diamonds, and clovers. But I must be in the minority, because there are apparently loads of books with a playing card theme or motif–with various authors either expounding on … Read more
Jan Burke, one of the rare women who have succeeded in the usually male world of hardboiled suspense novels, has a new title out–a sequel to her Edgar Award winning novel, Bones, and the tenth in the Irene Kelly series. I was first aware of Ms. Burke back in the 90s when then President Bill … Read more
Each year the premier fan club for Rex Stout and his mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, The Wolfe Pack, have a banquet honoring those who have written a crime novel most in the style and spirit as a Nero Wolfe title. The lucky winner receives the Wolfe Award. Here are this year’s … Read more
Sometimes serendipity enters a book collectors life. When I worked for A&E mysteries.com as their bookclub moderator, I wrote articles and interviewed authors etc., but I also had conversations via comments, just like here. I noticed on one mystery board, a woman was asking anyone who may have info how she could sell a collection … Read more
A dentist? Zane Grey gave up dentistry to become the most famous western pulp fiction author? I guess he just couldn’t sink his teeth into the profession. This interesting factoid and a couple of others highlight a look at the prolific output of Mr. Grey and his influence on our ideas of what the West … Read more
“My new favorite number: 17 — That’s where Sentenced to Death will hit on the NYTimes Bestsellers list for mass market paperbacks. And to make it just a little bit sweeter, it also hit #1 on Bookscan’s mass market mystery list. Yes! There’s a martini with my name on it.” This is the author Lorna … Read more
The Desert Moon Mystery—Kay Cleaver Strahan–1928—used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three picks, that I tend to enjoy the Golden Age Of Mysteries. The time period of the 20’s 30’s, and for me into the 40’s. Back in the day, as they say, mysteries tended to involve puzzles, upper class victims, … Read more
