‘Monogram Murders’ (2014) proves Christie estate made a wise hire
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Though not perfect, Sophie Hannah’s debut Poirot novel features spot-on characterization of the sleuth.
Mystery
‘Monogram Murders’ (2014) proves Christie estate made a wise hire
‘Judgment’ (2018) is the grossest ‘Hellraiser’ yet
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Gary J. Tunnicliffe expands the mythology, but it’s the gross-out scenes that stand out.
Woodley, Mendelsohn warm up frosty ‘To Catch a Killer’
Movie review: This cynical procedural about a mass shooter is stronger in small pieces than as a whole.
Hannah, Poirot go deep into psychology to solve ‘Mystery of Three Quarters’ (2018)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Hannah’s interest in human nature dovetails with Poirot’s to a notable degree in her third take on Christie’s sleuth.
Hannah’s ‘Closed Casket’ (2016) opens wide roster of suspects
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): With a Poirot novel, it’s often the psychology of the crime that matters, and never has that been truer.
‘Hellraiser: Hellworld’ (2005) so close to being a smart meta sequel
Frightening Friday (Movie review): A glaring piece of illogic about the “Hellraiser” lore hampers the otherwise well-made eighth film.
Crowe’s ‘Pope’s Exorcist’ adds some edge to familiar structure
Movie review: Russell Crowe finds a middle ground between cocky hero and pious priest in this horror movie based on a true story.
‘Cobweb’ weaves a sticky blend of monster and mystery
Movie review: The horror film has legs thanks to a mysterious backstory but is too timid to rank as a new Halloween classic.
‘Miss Marple’ (1984-92) stands as the spinster sleuth’s definitive portrayal
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Joan Hickson is exactly how I pictured Marple from the novels, and many other actors follow her lead in this standout series.
‘Night Theater’ (2020) mixes body horror, spiritual questions
Book club book report: Vikram Paralkar digs into the human body and dark ideas in an incongruously readable short novel.