“Do you read a lot?” you ask. “I don’t know, compared to what?” I respond. On December 13, with still 18 days to go, George Easter, editor of Deadly Pleasures, wrote on his blog: “My reading goal for 2023 was to read 120 mysteries, crime novels and thrillers. Today the count stands at 121 read. So my goal was reached.” Holy book pages, Batman! Gosh all Fiddlesticks! Damn, that’s amazing!! … Continue reading
I got the polio virus just after turning nine years old, in the summer following my third grade. I was hospitalized for a month. Within two days after my admission to the hospital and unknown to me, my mother also caught polio and died. While I was in the hospital, my father visited me but said nothing about my mother’s death until the day before I was brought back home. … Continue reading
More mystery book fan Valentine Cards on Janet Rudolph’s blog here. Many mystery authors have given their protagonist’s romantic partner a prime place in their book series. Spenser and Susan come immediately to mind along with Nick and Nora Charles and others. Once again, premier mystery fan Janet Rudolph has an even more extensive list of mystery authors with their protagonist and romantic supporting characters. Check out her list; maybe … 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
Deadly Pleasures is a magazine for crime fiction fans, providing tons of mystery and thriller book reviews four times a year since 1992. There is a team of regular reviewers headed by editor and founder of the publication, George Easter. [Easter pictured at right.] Every year, scores of bloggers, newspapers, and magazine writers will post a list of what they consider “The Best Mysteries of the Year.” This month, Easter … Continue reading
Why you might buy used books When the library doesn’t have enough copies When you want to keep a copy of the book with your own notes and scribbles When a new book is not affordable Considerations when buying used books The fastest two ways to find used copies are using Amazon.com or Ebay.com. The reason I use those two sites for used books only as a last resort is … Continue reading
“Crime fiction“ includes all sub-genres of mysteries and thrillers and any blend thereof. (FYI: One list of 21 crime fiction sub genres.) “Fun“ includes reviews, information, suggestions, and your comments about crime fiction, such as: crime fiction books the club is not reading, crime fiction movies, TV shows, and theatrical performances, crime fiction tours, field trips, conferences you hear about or better – have attended, crime fiction sites (author homes, … Continue reading
Many adult mystery book fans began as a fan of Nancy Drew and/or the Hardy Boys. As an adult, I have read some of the Hardy Boys books to my children and grandchildren. But how much mental space does the love of these pulp books for kids occupy for you, now as an adult? Is Nancy Drew a Part of Your Adult Life? For thousands of adults, the answer is … Continue reading
It is normal for true mystery book fans to evaluate the same book differently – some will love it and some will say “yuck”! Why? There may be as many reasons as there are fans! But before getting into the reasons, let’s look at an example from a recent mystery book club meeting. Examples of the Reactions to One Book in a Small Group of Mystery Book Fans Last month, we discussed Alex … Continue reading
The instigation for this Mystery Book Club field trip on Friday August 28, 2015, comes from Robert Parker’s Back Story, chapter 13. So we might as well start with that; then the pictures: The theater was dark on Mondays, and I took Paul to dinner at the world’s greatest restaurant, which is, of course, The Agawam Diner in Rowley. The place was always crowded for breakfast and lunch, but on a Monday … Continue reading
LET'S PLAY CLUE: Was it MBC Leader Dick Goutal, in the garden, using the poisonous plant, Black Henbane?
