On one hand, sexuality is not a prevalent element in detective fiction. It functions as a plot device -- you need a love triangle to give the killer a motive, so you have Bill begin an affair with Kathy's sister, and Bill (who was a totally innocent dude 5 minutes ago) is now a despicable… Continue reading She Died a Lady
I have to write faster and put out a book in ten months rather than 14. (Was it 15? 16? I lost count). Posting details from time to time will keep me writing, so I'll make 4th Book a category and write one post a month. Who knows? It just might work. Bay of Blood… Continue reading My Next Novel
It's difficult to know where to start with the Quentin Patrick bibliography. There are several pen names hiding several real names. (Dick Callingham, Q Patrick, Jonathan Stagge, Quentin Patrick, Patrick Quentin, etc.) My only previous undertaking was Death's Old Sweet Song, one of the best (and most savage) murder mysteries I've read. After reading the… Continue reading The Grindle Nightmare
Anthony Berkeley's The Poisoned Chocolates Case is an absolute delight. It focuses almost entirely on summation, but manages within its artificial boundaries to accomplish everything we want in detective fiction. I'll try and explain. The Problem: Sir Eustace receives a sample box of Masons chocolate liquors in the mail. Uninterested in acting as a Masons… Continue reading The Poisoned Chocolates Case
Detective fiction is a tough racket; the readers have TBR lists stretching back a hundred years. I know because I am exactly the same -- most of my physical and electronic books are from the 30's and 40's, so I'm doubly appreciative when GAD fans buy my books. October was my best month yet. Thank… Continue reading Rollout of The Strange Case of the Barrington Hills Vampire
James Scott Byrnside 