For October 24 Plot: In exchange for a lavish treat, the narrator, Withers, agrees to spend a holiday with an unpopular boy, Arthur Seaton. Seaton appears “yellow” in color, with “slow chocolate-coloured eyes, and lean weak figure.” Because of his appearance, “most… true-blue Englishmen” treat him with condescension, hostility, or contempt. A day or twoContinue reading “Review of “Seaton’s Aunt” by Walter de la Mare: Halloween Countdown”
Tag Archives: mystery
Review of “The Maze” (1953)
This black-and-white horror flick was a recommendation from my friend Tracy. She has yet to steer me wrong. Plot:Kitty Murray (Veronica Hurst) and Gerald MacTeam (Richard Carlson) are enjoying a vacation in the south of France. They expect to be married in two weeks. With them are Kitty’s Aunt Edith (Katherine Emery) and the about-to-beContinue reading “Review of “The Maze” (1953)”
Review of “The Name of the Rose” 1986
Struck with a bit of nostalgia, the dearly beloved and I chose a movie we’d both seen in the theater back in the day. I read the book, which, as always, was better than the movie, though I liked the movie. Plot:William of Baskerville (Sean Connery), a Franciscan monk, and his assistant, novice Benedictine monk,Continue reading “Review of “The Name of the Rose” 1986″
Review of “Harbour Street” by Ann Cleeves
Plot: Detective Joe Ashworth is on the Metro, bringing his daughter Jessie home from a school program. The train is crowded because of the holidays. Joe noticed a couple necking. A well-dressed elderly lady boards, and Joe wonders why someone with money didn’t take a taxi. Bad weather stops the train, and the passengers exitContinue reading “Review of “Harbour Street” by Ann Cleeves”
Review of “The Double Admiral” by John Metcalfe Halloween Countdown
5) “The Double Admiral” by John Metcalfe Plot: Bishop John Charles receives a letter from an old friend, a retired admiral named Hood, inviting him up to spend a weekend at his seaside bungalow in Hampshire. John Charles hasn’t seen Hood for a while, but he’s heard rumors about him. He also knows he isContinue reading “Review of “The Double Admiral” by John Metcalfe Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions: The Ultimate Miss Phryne Fisher Story Collection”
The Stuff: This is a collection of short stories involving Miss Phryne Fisher, an Australian lady detective of the 1920s. She is independent, knowledgeable, wealthy, and liberated. This contains seventeen Miss Phryne Fisher murder mystery short stories. IMselddomHO, the short form doesn’t let the mysteries develop as well as the novel. Not all the storiesContinue reading “Review of “The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions: The Ultimate Miss Phryne Fisher Story Collection””
Review of “The Tower Treasure” by Franklin W. Dixon
Plot: While on an errand for their father, Hardy brothers, dark-haired Frank, 18, and blond-haired Joe, 17, Hardy somehow carry on a conversation over the roar over their 1920s motorcycles. Their father, Fenton, is a private detective, having retired from the New York police force after a sterling career. Joe says, “I wish we couldContinue reading “Review of “The Tower Treasure” by Franklin W. Dixon”
Review of “Charlie Chan in Egypt” (1935)
Our Saturday pizza and bad movie night was something a little different. We chose a silly Charlie Chan movie, Charlie Chan in Egypt. Plot: In the opening scene, men dressed as stereotypical archaeologists pry a plaque inscribed with hieroglyphics off a stone wall inside some undefined underground space. Professor Arnold (George Irving) digs through theContinue reading “Review of “Charlie Chan in Egypt” (1935)”
Review of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” by G. K. Chesterton
I am the man who knows too much to know anything, or, at any rate, to do anything.Other than its title, this book bears no resemblance to the Hitchcock films of the same name. This is a collection of eight mystery/detective short stories that feature well-connected Horne Fisher. His friend, journalist Harold March, serves asContinue reading “Review of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” by G. K. Chesterton”
Review of “The Case of the Fiery Fingers” by Erle Stanley Gardner
Perry Mason, attorney at law, is just returning to his office from a long day at court. His secretary, Della Street, has a pile of letters for him to sign, and one client to see. The potential has been waiting for an hour. Mason at first demurs, but Della tells him the girl is inContinue reading “Review of “The Case of the Fiery Fingers” by Erle Stanley Gardner”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 