Christie gets theatrical in ‘Murder in Three Acts’ (1935)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This novel doesn’t have the strictest three-act structure, but it does tap into the notion of life as a performance.
Books
Christie gets theatrical in ‘Murder in Three Acts’ (1935)
Crichton opens a smart puzzle box in ‘Sphere’ (1987)
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Unlike most Crichton novels, “Sphere” is a puzzle box. On your first read, you don’t know what it’s about.
Christie expands sleuth roster with ‘Parker Pyne Investigates’ (1934)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie struggles to come up with the right word for Pyne’s job. He’s like a life coach, except you pay by the situation.
‘Eaters of the Dead’ (1976) digs into Viking lore
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Crichton takes a crack at making the “Beowulf” lore accessible for modern readers.
‘Boomerang Clue’ (1934) a better romance than mystery
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): It’s too bad Frankie and Bobby didn’t get more stories, because they’re by far the best part of this Christie yarn.
Crichton takes new track in ‘Great Train Robbery’ (1975)
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): The author trades science fiction for historical fiction and gives an eye-opening look at 1850s London.
Poirot questions himself in ‘Peril at End House’ (1932)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): A vacation turns into a murder mystery, but that doesn’t mean Poirot is off his game. Nor is Christie.
Crichton’s ‘Congo’ (1980) illustrates nature’s power
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): “Congo” is less focused than his other thrillers, but it’s a sneaky man-versus-nature novel.
Poirot takes swing at ‘Murder on the Links’ (1923)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie’s second Poirot novel includes rival detectives, forbidden love and dysfunctional families.
Crichton warns of mind control in ‘Terminal Man’ (1972)
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Mind-control via computers never became a thing. But that only makes “The Terminal Man” more fascinating.