The main criticism of Paul Halter's writing can be summed up in one word -- overstuffed. While I don't share this criticism, it is understandable--particularly because some of the elements turn out to be intricately woven plot strands while others fall by the wayside, rendered as the sort of fantastical flourishes which contain little actual… Continue reading Spidery Stratagems — Penelope’s Web
The hospital setting in Green for Danger came directly from Christianna Brand's experience working in such a facility during World War II. The gangsters in A Ring of Roses come directly from Brand's reading Damon Runyon--that's my guess anyway. It's not necessarily a problem because ARoR is about artifice; it makes sense that the characters… Continue reading A Ring of Roses by Mary Anne Ashe (AKA Christianna Brand)
Jerry Lewis once tried to explain his distaste for widescreen aspect ratios by thundering, "It's lazy to shoot a film in widescreen; everything is in the goddamn frame. There's no need for pictorial skill!" Whether I agree with Mr. Lewis's opinion on widescreen ratios (or indeed, what constitutes pictorial skill) is entirely moot, but I… Continue reading The Greek Coffin Mystery
Murder's such a lonely business: there's never anyone to talk to. The winner of my reading poll was Christianna Brand's Cat and Mouse. There is a specific reason I hadn't read this book for so long, but I can't tell you because it's a spoiler...sort of. Here's the deal. C&M is not a detective story… Continue reading Cat and Mouse
I'm a sucker for out-of-print, non-dust-jacket-having, old-timey mysteries. For all the masterpieces on my bookshelves, The Stingaree Murders and The Mystery at Chillery are my favorite objects. It is entirely possibly that I overrate such books because of their feel. I love when they have eighty-year-old notes written in the flyleaves. I love the discoloration… Continue reading Murder Mansion (aka House of Murder) 1934
James Scott Byrnside 