27 December 2020
Confused by sleuths of crime-ridden south coast
CONFUSION continues to await avid readers of two popular series of crime fiction tales centred on Britain’s south coast. They can be left flummoxed, not so much by the intricate plotting but rather by the naming of the two main characters. One wonders whether there is mutual admiration or deep rivalry between the books’ authors,… Continue Reading
10 December 2020
Garry dishes up Outback crime to rival the best
3 November 2020
Five Strikes and out; too much of a bad thing
THIS was a huge letdown. A thorough disappointment on so many fronts. And all the more so for one who has been a consistent fan of the Cormoran Strike tales from the very beginning. As evidenced by having ordered and paid for this latest saga well in advance of its publication day. We know better… Continue Reading
THERE are people who return year after year after year to the same place for their annual holidays. Familiarity apparently brings content. And probably boredom, as they are not averse also to sneaking away on an occasional long weekend break which, if pressed, they will describe as “refreshing”. Which shows it is good to break… Continue Reading
2 October 2020
Adrenalin overload, excessive effort and a hangover haze
NOW here’s a weird, even disturbing, thing; my trusty Garmin records a hilly four-mile run around the city where I live. Yet I have scant memory of it ever happening. How can this be? The watch tells of a continuous jog with every second accounted for. By contrast, my memory presents me with a… Continue Reading
25 September 2020
Delight in old master of writing, and crime fiction
THERE’S nothing like revisiting an old friend. So much forgotten pleasure to be derived from taking giant steps back to the very early years. In so doing we revive experiences that only now are revealed and recognised for their formative effect on so much that followed. As a youth, I voraciously and randomly devoured almost… Continue Reading
10 September 2020
Stop the clock; pause for reflection
OKAY, so life’s a journey. We all know that; it has been stated often enough. We also know, as with any journey, there will inevitably be stops, delays, breakdowns, detours, U-turns and even the need for spare parts and replacements. There will be tears and laughter; excruciating sadness and unfettered joy. Far less certain is… Continue Reading
8 September 2020
Murdering bullies prove noir is noir wherever you are
THIS Icelandic journey into the dark side sparked something of a defining moment. Or, more precisely, a desire to have something defined. Better than that, a search for the definition of a definition; one that entailed going beyond the resources of the OED or Mr Google. The puzzle centres on the proliferation of genres, sub-genres… Continue Reading
27 August 2020
Family history writes its own mysteries
TRACING one’s ancestors is akin to joining Poirot as he unravels the threads of an Agatha Christie mystery. Except that the little Belgian detective eventually provides acceptable answers. Not so with family history. So many detours and distractions. So many loose ends. So much that is left unexplained. Such was the case when on the… Continue Reading
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27 December 2020
Confused by sleuths of crime-ridden south coast
CONFUSION continues to await avid readers of two popular series of crime fiction tales centred on Britain’s south coast. They can be left flummoxed, not so much by the intricate plotting but rather by the naming of the two main characters. One wonders whether there is mutual admiration or deep rivalry between the books’ authors,… Continue Reading