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
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
The structure of Joel Townsley Rogers's superb The Red Right Hand is the star of the show. Sure, there are numerous baffling murders (the most murderous book I've read since Death's Old Sweet Song), loads of well-hidden clues, and enough dread to kill several nerves; however, it is the hypnotic overlap of past and present… Continue reading The Red Right Hand
The Fourth Door was Halter's first published novel, yet many of its themes and obsession can be found within the other nine I have read, including his latest, The Gold Watch. Bless him, he's still doing the same thing. It's the promise of narrative trickery and (of course) impossible crime which makes me so happy… Continue reading The Fourth Door — Paul Halter
