I’m not online as much as I’d like so a few things: 1) comments are moderated for obvious reasons (had one spammer get through while I wasn’t looking) 2) I’m really enjoying Adrian McKinty’s newest stand alone title, The Cold, Cold Ground (excellent reading so far)* 3) comments are turned off for this post because … Continue reading »
A SIMPLE PLAN (1998) a film directed by Sam Raimi and stars Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Bridget Fonda based on the novel with the same name by Scott B. Smith. The film has a freshness rating of 90% at the Rotten Tomatoes site. Somehow I missed this movie when it first appeared. I … Continue reading »
Introduction One False Move (1991), a movie directed by Carl Franklin that stars Billy Bob Thornton (he co-wrote the screenplay), Cynda Williams and Bill Paxton, is one of my favorite movies. Have any of you seen it? This is a movie that doesn’t waste any time getting your attention for the first few minutes in. … Continue reading »
UNTIL THY WRATH BE PAST (2011), wastes no time pulling you into the story. This is the fourth book in the series set in Sweden to feature district attorney Rebecka Martinsson. This is the best written book in the series that started with SUN STORM (2006). This is a tightly plotted story that is well … Continue reading »
As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be neat to highlight some of the new writers I’ve discovered in 2011. For some writers on this list, it only took one book to make me a fan. This list mostly consists of Scandinavian writers which is fitting considering that this is my … Continue reading »
I am on an Åsa Larsson reading spree. Her novels, described by others, are said to be more traditional crime thrillers than police procedurals and how she structures her story, told in third person narrative, works very well for me. Some of the themes in her novels have been interesting too. The novels are all … Continue reading »
Washington Post: “The Leopard” is a bloated, near-total disaster. ” The Washington Post review of The Leopard written by Jo Nesbø, is the eighth book in the Harry Hole series, written by Patrick Anderson (a review I don’t agree with) highlights a problem I see coming with the commercialization of Scandinavian writers for U.S. audiences. … Continue reading »
Just curious what other readers out there think. The American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo will be released on Dec 21st and I wanted to ask you all to share your thoughts with others who might be unfamiliar (yes they are out there) with the books or the author if they should … Continue reading »
The News Just a gentle reminder to US mystery readers that Jo Nesbo’s latest Harry Hole novel, The Leopard will be released next week, Dec 13th. I’ve already read it and it’s good. The Redeemer still holds the top spot for me though and I still don’t see a publication date for it on Amazon. … Continue reading »
Professor Andersen’s Night is an unsettling yet highly entertaining novel of apathy, rebellion and morality. In flinty prose, Solstad presents an uncomfortable question: would we, like his cerebral protagonist, do nothing? While Professor Andersen is drinking his cognac and letting the “Christmas spirit fill my mind”, he peeks out his window and sees a woman … Continue reading »
The Blood Split (2008) by Åsa Larsson with translation by Marlaine Delargy is the second book featuring tax attorney Rebecka Martinsson. She first appeared in Sun Storm, a riveting story that focused on religious zealotry. Both books are set in North Sweden where the subarctic climate is characterized by unusually long and freezing winters. The … Continue reading »
First, I have to say that I’ve always wanted to read this book. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book and this author- Don Winslow. I know it’s not true but I feel like I’m the last person to discover how great he is. California Fire and Life won the Shamus Award in … Continue reading »
It is 1978 in the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country’s only coroner is quietly pulled by Vietnamese security from a screening of a movie he was attending with his wife. He’s asked/escorted to the crime scene of a murdered young woman who’s been speared through the heart by an épée … Continue reading »
Since it’s going on day 11 or 12 since I last blogged about anything, I thought I’d write a quick note to say that I haven’t had time to read anything online or off. I’m behind. I hope to get back on track and catch up with everything and everybody as soon as I can. … Continue reading »
