“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 was introduced to Dame (Edith) Ngaio Marsh 19 years ago during my first Christmas in the Mystery Book Club at Manchester Library. The book was appropriately, Tied Up in Tinsel, the 27th book in Marsh’s Detective Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn series. Her first book was in 1934 and her last, the year of her death, was in 1982. Alleyn presents as a British “gentleman detective” – schooled at Eton, … Continue reading
“British” – The story takes place in the United Kingdom of Great Britain with British law enforcement officers (LEOs). It can be written by writers that live inside or outside of the UK. “Police Procedural” – It is a sub-genre of crime fiction that emphasizes the investigative procedure of police officers, police detectives, or law enforcement agencies as the protagonists, as contrasted with other genres that focus on non-police investigators … Continue reading
Expect spoilers in the bottom half of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. Then halfway down the page we report some of the discussion from the meeting which likely includes spoilers. Your comments, corrections, additions, clarifications are welcome at the end. We read Better the Blood … Continue reading
There are no spoilers for the top part of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. But….. Near the bottom of the page, there is a place for our participants to leave comments about the book, and spoilers will likely be included. Don’t scroll down to the comments area, until you … Continue reading
There are no spoilers for the top part of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. But….. Near the bottom of the page, there is a place for our participants to leave comments about the book, and spoilers will likely be included. Don’t scroll down to … Continue reading
We read The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker for the March 31, 2023 meeting. There are no spoilers for the top part of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. But….. Near the bottom of the page, there is a place for our participants to … Continue reading
An updated more permanent version of this information can be found here. I enjoy this sub-genre because the characters are…, different! I’ll share a list of authors who have written in this area, but the immediate reason for this post is the announcement of a Mystery Writers of America webinar on the topic scheduled for Thursday evening February 9, 2023 – 7 pm EST. If interested in this topic: Please … Continue reading
We are read Mission Hill for the February 24, 2023 Meeting. There are no spoilers for the top part of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. But….. Near the bottom of the page, there is a place for our participants to leave comments about the … 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
LET'S PLAY CLUE: Was it MBC Leader Dick Goutal, in the garden, using the poisonous plant, Black Henbane?
