March, 2020 was the only month that our Mystery Book Club did not meet (in some fashion) since its beginning more than 20 years ago. That month we read The Forgotten Garden and I asked people to post their book comments on this website because the pandemic had struck. By April, I had purchased a Zoom account and figured out (mostly, LOL) how to use it. But the library had … Continue reading
I was surprised today to get an email from the International Thriller Writers (ITW) who are looking into the coming impact of AI on the book publishing world. Connelly books written by a computer’s brain, bnut available at 1/3 the price? No thank you! New Raymond Chandler books written in the “style” of Raymond Chandler by AI? No thank you. What do you think? Here is what the letter from … Continue reading
WARNING: This post is a rant. You might get a laugh, you might cringe, you might be offended, you may get bored. The Grand Master Award is a big deal, or at least it should be. It was established by the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) to “recognize important contributions to the mystery field over time, as well as a significant output of consistently high quality.” Full membership in the … Continue reading
My annoyance, followed by curiosity, all began with the announcement of a panel of “acclaimed mystery authors” which I promoted in the December 1, 2022 Mystery Book Club “events” email. See below. I thought, well, if I am promoting it, perhaps I should attend the online event. Then I thought, it might be best to read at least one of the author’s books so I could form my reaction based on … Continue reading
This is a follow up to the previous post about the live Zoom interview of mystery-thriller writer Lynne Reeves on the evening of Wednesday November 9. I discovered today that she is also the subject of a written interview in The Big Thrill online magazine. It is called an UP CLOSE (with an author) feature. I would say it is more like an introduction to Reeves, useful to read, but … Continue reading
What do you see in the famous illustration on the right: The vase or the two faces? It depends, right? So it was today as I reflected on The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, the book by Dorothy Gilman that our mystery book club read for February and that we met to discuss today. While I am a mystery book fan and a lover of thrillers and police procedurals, my wife is … Continue reading
A wonderful capture of what makes Elmore Leonard’s writing “work.” All 46 books! Pay attention to presenter Martin Amis as he talks about Leonard’s style. Priceless! And as Elmore Leonard describes the influences on his writing. And how this award has re-energized him! Elmore Leonard receives the 2012 DCAL from National Book Foundation on Vimeo. From the National Book Foundation web page: New York, New York (September 19, 2012) – … Continue reading
There is an old saying, “Always finish what you start.” And Sue Grafton seems to be on target with the release of V is for Vengeance in 2011 and the paperback version due out this October 30. Perhaps she will indeed finish; she only needs to write novels for W, X, Y, and Z. Unless… Unless in Vengeance, Millhone is confronted with an evil programmer, intent on destroying the remains of … Continue reading
LET'S PLAY CLUE: Was it MBC Leader Dick Goutal, in the garden, using the poisonous plant, Black Henbane?
