Rory Clements had a wonderful debut novel with Martyr(my review) and introduced us to William Shakespeare’s older (and fictional) brother John who was in the spy trade. Clements new novel, Revenger, comes back 5 years later with several things changed, but soon we’re back in the 16th century intrigue. This book has a little more of William and a little less of the Catholic/Protestant power struggle that was going on at the time. So, let’s see what’s intriguing in Queen Elizabeth’s court.
Category Archives: mystery
Martyr by Rory Clements
There have been a lot of historical mystery’s lately, several of them include historical figures as the detective. In Rory Clements novel Martyr, he uses a historical figure’s brother as the main character. John Shakespeare, older brother of William (yes William doesn’t have an older brother in real life, this is a out of wedlock brother by another mother, but that isn’t touched on too much). The book is a well done mystery in an interesting time period. So let’s see what it’s about.
BBC’s Sherlock renewed for season 3
Steven Moffat’s other little series Sherlock has already concluded season 2 on BBC and is scheduled to arrive on US shores in May. I’m assuming season 2 must have been really good since the BBC has already confirmed a third season. NOTE: Do NOT click on the link if you are worried about spoilers and it also has a NSFW picture on the site.
The Immorality Engine by George Mann
While I got tired of Mann’s Ghost series with a steampunk superhero, his Newbury and Hobbes series of steampunk detectives is still going strong with the latest episode The Immorality Engine. The title is a play on words with an engine being used immoral purposes that could also be used for immortality. And we get some nice development in the relationships between Newbury, Hobbes and Bainbridge. So let’s see what happens in this latest book.
Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Over the years, I’ve become a fan of America’s favorite serial killer, Dexter Morgan (although I’ve only seen season 1 of the show). I’ve enjoyed all the books (except Dexter in the Dark, that one sucked). So, I was very excited for the newest book in the series, Double Dexter (Lindsay does love his alliteration). It was a perfectly cromulent book, fast-moving, easy to read and fun (as much fun as a serial killer can be). But I did have a couple issues with the story. So, let’s see who Dexter’s Double is.
The School of Night by Louis Bayard
I’ve become a big fan of Louis Bayard recently. He does a great job of weaving together historical stories into an interesting mystery. His books involve real people (Edgar Allen Poe from The Pale Blue Eye
The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
Louis Bayard has found a formula that works for him. He goes back in time and brings out a historical person, real (Edgar Allen Poe from The Pale Blue Eye
Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe trailer
I love Burn Notice
The prequel is set before the events of Burn Notice and stars Campbell in the origin story of his Sam Axe character, back when he was a Navy SEAL. If you’re a Campbell fan who hasn’t gotten into Burn Notice yet, this is the movie to see. The Fall of Sam Axe airs April 17 and the fifth season of Burn Notice will air sometime this summer.
The Fat Man by Ken Harmon
Every now and then, a book appears that has such a great premise you wonder why no one has ever thought of it before. That was the feeling I got when I saw Ken Harmon’s, The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir. Doing a noir mystery set in the North Pole and starring everyone’s favorite chubby friend Santa is a brilliant idea. And you should be glad I read it, since now I can tell you to avoid it at all costs. Yes, it looks fun, but it’s not worth your time. Avoid at all costs. Why do I recommend this?
The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
Sometimes an author lucks into a great story. For a mystery writer, a real live mystery is a great find. But when you have a long standing mystery that appears to be solved, but it turns into yet another mystery, then you have the makings of a great story. And when the mystery involves a great literary character such as Sherlock Holmes, then it’s calling out for a novel. Graham Moore took a real mystery and was able to turn it into The Sherlockian