My apologies for the non-mystery related post, but I am procrastinating the only way I know how. In 11 months or so, I'll post my favorites of the 1930s and continue sporadically. So, in no particular order... The Third Generation (1979) Rainer Werner Fassbinder There is black comedy and then there's The Third Generation. Bitter… Continue reading My 10 favorite films of the 1970s
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)
1947 Maine and Gretta Grahame is living her best life. She has successfully escaped her past for several years, settling in the safe, sleepy town of New Sweden. Besides working at the local library, Gretta is president of her murder-mystery book club. She knows a lot about murder mysteries. She claims there's no plot she… Continue reading The Synopsis Blues
