Monthly Archives: July 2011

The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie

Posted on July 31, 2011 by

During a séance in Sittaford House, the Ouija board spells out “Captain Trevelyan Dead”. You’ll never guess what happens at roughly the same time to Captain Trevelyan in his house a few miles away at the same time? Bludgeoned to … Continue reading →

Posted in Agatha Christie | 8 Comments

Support Your Local Bookshop!

Posted on July 30, 2011 by

You will probably recall my recent post concerning my frustration with bookshops stocking books that I actually want to read – if you don’t, you can read it here. But I wanted to share a couple of very positive experiences … Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Fowler, General, Kate Ellis, Martin Edwards, Paul Doherty | 7 Comments

An Unhallowed Grave by Kate Ellis

Posted on July 30, 2011 by

Kate Ellis is the writer of nineteen mystery novels, fifteen of which feature Wesley Peterson, a police detective based in Devon with an interest in archaeology. As she was signing her latest novel, The Jackal Man, at Pritchard’s in Formby, … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Mysteries, Kate Ellis, Wesley Peterson | 7 Comments

Top Five of the First Fifty

Posted on July 27, 2011 by

Well, well, well. Since starting the blog, I’ve read and reviewed 50 books. I think it’s safe to say that my reader’s block seems to have been overcome. So, without further ado, I think it’s time to look at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ariana Franklin, Carter Dickson, Domingo Villar, Edward Marston, Ellery Queen, General, Hake Talbot, John Dickson Carr, Nev Fountain, Nicholas Blake, Paul Doherty, Peter Lovesey, Simon Brett, Top Fives | 6 Comments

Corpse Candle by Paul Doherty

Posted on July 26, 2011 by

There’s a minor dispute going on at St Martin’s-In-The-Marsh monastery over the development of some land that contains a sacred burial mound. Meanwhile, Abbot Stephen is about to prove his prowess at exorcism on someone possessed by the local ghost, … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Mysteries, Hugh Corbett, Locked Rooms and Impossible Murders, Paul Doherty | 10 Comments

The Egyptian Cross Mystery by Ellery Queen

Posted on July 24, 2011 by

A school teacher is found at a crossroads, crucified and decapitated, in West Virginia. Six months later, a millionaire on Long Island suffers the same fate. There appears to be no connection between them apart from a madman seen at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ellery Queen | 11 Comments

“CJ Sansom and Scandinavian Crime”

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

“All that is selling in Crime Fiction is CJ Sansom and Scandinavian books.” That’s what I was told today in Waterstones. Let me backtrack a moment. I decided to let Mrs Puzzledoctor get on with some work this morning by … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Paul Doherty, Simon Brett | 11 Comments

Nightshade by Paul Doherty

Posted on July 16, 2011 by

A while ago, I was searching without much success for a genuine historical mystery. A number of books, such as The Nine Giants, Death In The Setting Sun or anything that I’ve read by Ellis Peters were evocative of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Mysteries, Hugh Corbett, Locked Rooms and Impossible Murders, Paul Doherty | 19 Comments

The Tragedy of Y by Barnaby Ross aka Ellery Queen

Posted on July 11, 2011 by

York Hatter, patriach of the distinctly odd Hatter family, kills himself by poisoning himself and jumping off a ferry. When his body is found, his face and fingerprints have been nibbled off by the passing fish but his body is … Continue reading →

Posted in Barnaby Ross, Drury Lane, Ellery Queen | 10 Comments

All In A Maze aka The Man Who Explained Miracles by Carter Dickson

Posted on July 9, 2011 by

Tom Lockwood is minding his own business outside St Paul’s Cathedral when Jenny Holden runs out in absolute terror. During her first week back in England, prior to an arranged marriage to a son of a French general, someone tries … Continue reading →

Posted in Carter Dickson, John Dickson Carr, Locked Rooms and Impossible Murders, Short Stories, Sir Henry Merrivale | 4 Comments