Marple makes novel debut in ‘Murder at the Vicarage’ (1930)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): For the first time in novel form, readers get a taste of Christie’s second indisputable icon: Miss Jane Marple.
Mystery
Marple makes novel debut in ‘Murder at the Vicarage’ (1930)
‘Hannibal Rising’ (2006) makes Lecter sympathetic
Hannibal at 40 (Book review): It’s perhaps inevitable that we’ll find sympathy with the devil as a series goes on. That’s what happens in this prequel.
Preston, Spezi probe ‘Monster of Florence’ (2008)
Preston & Child flashback (Book review): Journalists aren’t supposed to become the story. But in this bizarre chronicle, you’ll see they can’t be blamed.
‘Mystery of the Blue Train’ (1928) stays on rails
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): OK, it’s not even Christie’s best work about a train. But count me as an apologist for this Poirot entry.
Lecter gets worldly in Harris’ ‘Hannibal’ (1999)
Hannibal at 40 (Book review): Thomas Harris increases the scope from “Red Dragon” and “Lambs,” but again spins a great Lecter yarn.
Preston takes on God in ‘Blasphemy’ (2008)
Preston & Child flashback (Book review): It’s not blasphemously bad. But if one were to rank Preston’s work, this would not be among his Good Books.
Christie’s ‘The Big Four’ (1927) is a big misfire
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Cobbled together from short stories, this would-be international crime thriller ranks among Christie’s weakest novels.
Lecter, Starling match wits in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (1988)
Hannibal at 40 (Book review): Harris expands on one iconic character and launches another in the novel that would go on to become an acclaimed film.
‘Tyrannosaur Canyon’ (2005) a rip-roaring thriller
Preston & Child flashback (Book review): Unlike Crichton, Preston doesn’t resurrect dinosaurs. Yet the spirit of the great lizards permeates this tale.
‘Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ (1926) an early Christie gem
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): It’s armed with one of the most famous endings in mystery history, and Poirot is in vintage form.