There is nothing more satisfying than reading a book while sipping a hot cup of tea.
Since the time I finished my first Reginald Hill at the beginning of the year, I had been planning to read another book of his but somehow never got round to it. The 1976 book club, hosted by Simon @ Stuck in a Book and Karen @ Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings, has now given me the … Continue reading #1976 Club: Another Death in Venice by Reginald Hill
Of late, I find it hard to get into first-person narratives. I used to enjoy such narratives but now I can hardly bear to read a few paragraphs of the book with such a p-o-v before giving it up. Has it ever happened to you?
Yesterday, much to my shock, I learnt of the death of author and blogger, Mathew Paust at Todd Mason's blog Sweet Freedom. Over the years, since I started blogging, quite a few of my fellow-bloggers have passed away, always leaving one wretched. However, Matt's death has hit me pretty hard as he was a blogging … Continue reading Mathew Paust (1941-2021)
"Then how do you know he was shot at all?"There was an irritating air of the amateur detective about this question which roused Peter at once. Friends Peter Langley and James Vincent are journalist, very junior in the hiearchy. One weekend, after submitting their articles to their newspapers, they decide to take a trip to … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: The Majestic Mystery by Denis Mackail (1924)
Major William Austen is not happy with his current position in the army. As the war nears its end, he wants to go back to his earlier position in the Scotland Yard. He is currently a top-shot in the espionage department but wants to become a Chief Inspector once again. His friend Andrea tells him … Continue reading Malicious: Death at the Wedding by Anne Hocking (1946)
"All of us nurse our own private sorrow. Where I come from, tragedy made a common bond between strangers. Since then we have taught ourselves to forget. It's the only way to make life tolerable...' So you discover a new-to-you-author and fall in love with the book and want to read more of him. Only … Continue reading Revenge and Regret: Vendetta by Harry Carmichael (1963)
Like Cecil Freeman Gregg whom I read recently, Francis Grierson is another prolific writer who is virtually unknown today. Here is an informative post on him: https://tellersofweirdtales.blogspot.com/2013/11/francis-d-grierson-1888-1972.html Grierson's series character, Superintendent George Muir is at the Ministry of Estimates and Social Service (MESS) when the novel opens. He is there to investigate the leaks that … Continue reading Murder in MESS: The Crimson Cat by Francis Grierson (1944)
MasterMoreton opened his eyes at this admission and stared up into the inspector's face with renewed interest, suddenly remembering the conversation in the train and his disparagement of the police in general. Bit of a floater really but... Young Augustine Marryon Moreton is in low spirits. Not because of his name or short height or … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: The Old Manor by Cecil Freeman Gregg (1945)
"Well," Jack inquired amiably, "been any murders today?" One of the best ways to travel is through books and thus I was delighted to borrow Murder in Bermuda from the library. Though I have heard of the Bermuda triangle and read a book and seen a movie on it, I have no clear-cut idea about … Continue reading Deadly Lilies: Murder in Bermuda by Willoughby Sharp (1933)
"Here, steady on! we are not in Chicago, you know."..."We are in London and that is far more dangerous because it is safer." Earlier this year I read The Death Coins by an author new to me - Walter S. Masterman. I did not enjoy the book but was also not ready to dismiss the … Continue reading In Pursuit: The Hunted Man by Walter S. Masterman (1938)
