‘Hallmarked Man’: For the love of mystery, and for the love of love

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 John Hansen Books

Book review: The case is almost too complex. But thanks to an omniscient narrator, the romance is deceptively simple in Rowling’s eighth Strike novel.

‘The Fly’ (1986) is a classic fairy tale … in reverse and inside out

November 28, 2025November 28, 2025 John Hansen Horror Movies

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Just because Cronenberg’s film is many people’s introduction to body horror doesn’t mean he eases you into the subgenre.

‘No Way Out’ (1987) a time capsule of early crime-solving with computers

October 30, 2025September 18, 2025 John Hansen Movies

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This dated Hackman-and-Costner thriller has come back around as an instructive snapshot.

‘Marple’ Season 6 (2013) takes a respectable final bow

October 26, 2025October 10, 2025 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Jane gets a well-deserved island vacation in a grand but shortened season that includes a short-story mashup and a great “Endless Night” lead turn.

Williamson’s ‘Wasteland’ (1999) is not a total waste

October 23, 2025November 4, 2025 John Hansen One-Season Wonders

TV shows lost to history (Review): The “Dawson’s Creek” creator jumps ahead to explore the issues of 20-somethings – sort of.

‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’ Season 5 (2010-11) offers something old, something new

October 12, 2025September 20, 2025 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): A Miss Marple short story finally gets adapted, along with two non-Marple novels and one of her standout novels.

Handoff to McKenzie is intriguing – if not exactly smooth – in ‘Marple’ Season 4 (2009)

October 5, 2025September 16, 2025 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Though Marple’s personality changes, she still fits the elderly sleuth’s flexible template in four engaging episodes.