‘The Ruins’ (2006, 2008) a creepy exercise in fatalism
Frightening Friday (Book and movie reviews): It’s a shame Smith hasn’t written a novel since, but “The Ruins” holds up as elite horror.
Books
‘Curtain’ (1975) impressively drops on Poirot’s career
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Hercule Poirot’s last case is also one of his most memorable, in this novel written decades before its publication.
King stirs brew of tropes, imagination in ‘Fairy Tale’ (2022)
Book review: King’s own imaginings blend with those of great fantasy storytellers for a diverting but not groundbreaking epic.
T&T’s interplay makes ‘Postern of Fate’ (1973) readable
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie’s last-written novel is one of her weakest, but thanks to Tommy and Tuppence’s banter, it’s not the worst.
Christie, Osborne weave a tangled ‘Spider’s Web’ (2000)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): A colorful lead heroine and a tangled scheme are the highlights of the third and final novelization of a Christie play.
Westmacotts wrap with intriguing triptych ‘The Burden’ (1956)
Sleuthing Sundays (Book review): Agatha Christie wraps her Mary Westmacott sojourn with a three-person character study and the slightest touch of mystery.
‘A Daughter’s a Daughter’ (1952) presages ‘Gilmore Girls’ ’ generational clashes
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): In a spiritual sequel to “Unfinished Portrait,” Christie sorts through mother-daughter relationships.
Gibson meticulously imagines a future in ‘The Peripheral’ (2014)
Throwback Thursday (Book review): I like the TV show more, but it owes its foundation to William Gibson’s novel, a sort of rulebook for the series.
‘The Rose and the Yew Tree’ (1948) explores minds, politics
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie’s fourth Mary Westmacott novel is a smart, gripping exploration of love and local political gamesmanship.
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1973) didn’t start as a slasher
Frightening Friday (Book review): Fifty years ago, Lois Duncan wrote a gripping mystery novel for teens about guilt, responsibility and moving on.