Ultimately I found this an interesting and credible solution to the William Desmond Taylor murder. However, it is a bit ripe in the scene setting depaUltimately I found this an interesting and credible solution to the William Desmond Taylor murder. However, it is a bit ripe in the scene setting department--as someone else mentioned, it reads like fiction--pulp fiction padded to up the count as if Mann were being paid by the word. If I read, "Nobody had more secrets to keep than Bill Taylor," one more time, I thought I was going to scream! He must use this phrase, and other similar catch phrases, at least thirty times in the book. Mann is also a bit fatuous in insisting on spelling the word "clue" as "clew," because that is the way it was commonly spelled in the 1920s, when he trots out the expletive "tinseltown," a term that had no currency before the 1940s and was not a common term for Hollywood until the 1960s, what seems like every other sentence. There are annoying things, for example Mann claims that Mary Miles Minter wanted no visitors in later years, well I knew Mary in he early 1970s and visited her home on several occasions, chatting in her living room, and afterward having dinner, prepared by her cook, with her in the kitchen. Several other people I know also visited Mary through the years. So, as I say, ultimately I liked the book. The basic historical research seems solid, but The 384 pages (which do include notes, but no index), could profitably have been trimmed to 250 pages without sacrificing any of the book's virtues....more
I bought this when it first came out, but was a little put off by the self-consciously artsy scene setting early on--I just didn't need to now that muI bought this when it first came out, but was a little put off by the self-consciously artsy scene setting early on--I just didn't need to now that much about early Oakland, CA. But I picked the book up again recently, and after getting past that bump in the road, the book becomes readable and informative. It is a very good bio, well researched and insightful. Those interested in early film comedy will find it a worthy addition to their libraries. McFarland books are never cheap, and this one is no exception, but while $45 dollars may be a high price for a book, it is a very small price for an education. I recommend LLOYD HAMILTON: POOR BOY OF SILENT CINEMA wholeheartedly....more
Probably the best of the Flavia De Luce books I've read from the mystery plot POV, and with a great cliffhanger ending.Probably the best of the Flavia De Luce books I've read from the mystery plot POV, and with a great cliffhanger ending....more
I got introduced to this marvelous series with the wrap-up, "The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches," and then have gone backed and picked off the others inI got introduced to this marvelous series with the wrap-up, "The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches," and then have gone backed and picked off the others in no particular order. So what is one to make of the series? Eccentric, quirky, part traditional English country mystery, part magical realism without a Spanish tint. Some have criticized Flavia for being too precocious for an 11-year-old. Pish-Posh! It matters not a whit. True, few pre-teens are likely to have Flavia's (Alan Bradley's) command of the Queen's English, but if she expresses herself too well for her age, her basic outlook, concerns and motivations are typical of what my own mental processes were like when i was that age--at least as I recall from this late date ;-} So far, of the four and a half Flavias I've read, this is probably the least of the lot--but still deserving of 5 stars. The plot is always the least of Bradley's magic--and the plot here is engaging, but not spectacular. Bradley's great strength is as an observer of life and as a word stylist of prodigious skill. He also manages to inspire youthful curiosity in even this old codger in the making. Word is out that after the first six, four more Flavia De Luce novels are on the way--with number seven tentatively scheduled for January 2015. I can hardly wait!...more
I read this one first, and it made me want to read more. What I like about Patricia's/Tucker's world is that the events a credible and cary me to areaI read this one first, and it made me want to read more. What I like about Patricia's/Tucker's world is that the events a credible and cary me to areas where I have only passing knowledge. Liked it a bushel and a peck!...more
I know Patty in passing from attending Sisters in Crime (where she is immediate past president of the L.A. chapter), and thought I would read some of I know Patty in passing from attending Sisters in Crime (where she is immediate past president of the L.A. chapter), and thought I would read some of her books. I enjoyed this one a lot. Good characters, original situations, a credible "wrong (wo)man" sort of plot, and good writing. What's not to like?...more
Full disclosure, I've know Kathryn Leigh Scott casually for a number of years, and I promised to attend her book signing at Book 'Em Mysteries in SoutFull disclosure, I've know Kathryn Leigh Scott casually for a number of years, and I promised to attend her book signing at Book 'Em Mysteries in South Pasadena a few weeks ago, but couldn't make it. I did pick up the book, however, and I'm glad I did. Part romance, and part mystery--i'm not sure there are quite enough dead bodies and bodice rippings to satisfy the most avid readers of these genres--in fact most of the murders occur off stage and the heroine is only tangentially involved in solving them. But what the book lacks in these ares is more than made up for in the writing, which is first-rate, and the character development which is strong, three dimensional and totally satisfying. After years in the picture business Kathryn has absorbed the atmosphere and the attitudes of film/TV folk and gives a vibrant portrait of a once-prominent actress suddenly reduced to homelessness yet still trying to keep up appearances. The character of Meg is by no means semi-autobiographical, yet Kathryn manages to infuse Meg with enough reality to make the character truly vivid. Well worth a read, and I don't think you'll be disappointed....more
Just finished reading William M. Drew's "Mr. Griffith's House With Closed Shutters," and it is quite an achievement. One can quibble with the occasionJust finished reading William M. Drew's "Mr. Griffith's House With Closed Shutters," and it is quite an achievement. One can quibble with the occasional overstep in speculation, or some photos with faces distorted by digital stretching (like wathching a 1.33 picture spread out over a 16x9 screen); but the research is solid, the story fascinating, and the writing first rate. This may not be a "Rosebud" revalation about Griffith's life and career--but it comes close and certainly adds much to our understanding of D. W. Griffith the man, while offering a plausible new lens through which to view the filmmaker's work. Anyone who wants to know more about D. W. Griffith needs to belly up to the bar and buy a copy of "Mr. Griffith's House With Closed Shutters." Bravo Mr. Drew!...more
Just goes to prove you shouldn't judge a book by its cover--which is quite striking, but the book itself is a buptke. I bought this when it came out, Just goes to prove you shouldn't judge a book by its cover--which is quite striking, but the book itself is a buptke. I bought this when it came out, and it sat on the shelf for a dozen years or so. Then last week I finally got around to it. "Final Edit" is an easy read, but a very poor mystery--one of the weakest I've read in a long time. The hero is a book publisher who likes to bloviate in the first person about his likes and dislikes, and he sort of has an interest in playing sleuth--especially when his star editor (a much-hated fellow, don't you know) is offed, but the real armchair detective is the hero's brother, who is confined to a wheelchair and has only a couple of minor scenes--shades of Nero Wolf (but he's not fat--just lost the use of his legs in a accident many moons ago). When our hero's new girlfriend is killed, it barely rates a "gee whiz, that's a tough break" from the guy; but when his ex-wife suggests they attempt to solve the mystery by treating it as they did a "murder cruise" several years back he can hardly hold back his enthusiasm--even though the exercise proves absolutely pointless. When his brother comes up with the solution going through some computer files, we have to wait for the publisher/hero to gather all the suspects in his office while the disgruntled cops look on. Finally the murderer is revealed--but, anyone paying even modest attention figured out who done it when the character first showed up. A waste of trees and time....more
I was a committed Shakespearian even before reading James Shapiro's wonderful new book on the subject of who wrote Shakespeare, but he really lays outI was a committed Shakespearian even before reading James Shapiro's wonderful new book on the subject of who wrote Shakespeare, but he really lays out the argument for Shakespeare in a compelling fashion, and also unveils the self-serving hidden agendas of those in academe and the world who would have toppled the Bard from his rightful place in English literature. This is a book that is both academic and completely accessible, and well worth reading whether one is well-versed in Shakespeare's plays or not....more
Whatever happened to Sean McGrady? Four books with his "dead letter" detective and then nada. These are well worth the effort to find and read if you'Whatever happened to Sean McGrady? Four books with his "dead letter" detective and then nada. These are well worth the effort to find and read if you're a fan of somewhat dark mysteries....more
Finished this yesterday, and must say I enjoyed it. Gores has the Hammett style down and it seems like it could well be the "McCoy" instead of the pa Finished this yesterday, and must say I enjoyed it. Gores has the Hammett style down and it seems like it could well be the "McCoy" instead of the pastiche/homage that it is--to be sure, it is in the style of "Red Harvest" or "The Dain Curse" . . . three shporter separate adventures with a through line. There are a couple of howlers, though, for instance on p. 62 Gores has Spade sit on a red vinyl stool--forgetting that Vinyl as we know it wasn't viable before 1926 and certainly not widely used for covering restaurant furniture until much later. Then on P. 92 he writes about a police touring car with a light on top--not likely, since touring cars are open cars with rag tops. A sedan or coupe might have a light on top, but not a touring car. Gaffes like these don't ruin the book by any means, and frankly I didn't catch any others. Plotwise this is pure pulp, and Gores follows Hammett's example in having Spade jump to conclusion and rely way too much on coincidence that stretches credulity--still, it is a fun read....more
What can one say? Not exactly a crime novel, though there's an attempted murder and a killing . . . not exactly realistic, though it's set in very reaWhat can one say? Not exactly a crime novel, though there's an attempted murder and a killing . . . not exactly realistic, though it's set in very real 1930s environments . . . part allegorical . . . part fantastic . . . indeed, one might even say, part stupid . . . yet also a devastating and clever satire of James M. Cain's work . . . I'm not certain it can even properly be described as hard-boiled, though there are certainly many hard-bolied elements. This book is at turns vivid, unfocussed, dream-like, engaging and acomplete mess, yet it has a haunting quality that I will not soon forget, The whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts....more
Rumpole is a great character, and the TV series certainly captures John Mortimer's defense lawyer to a "T." I was perfectly content with Rumpole as plRumpole is a great character, and the TV series certainly captures John Mortimer's defense lawyer to a "T." I was perfectly content with Rumpole as played by Leo McKern, and felt no need to read the stories (which in any event wrere brough to the screen practically word for word); but with McKern's death, Mortimer has written an end to screen adaptations of his character. Not so with the books and stories, however, and "Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders" is a welcome addition to the continuing Rumpole saga. It looks back to the beginning of his career and how he made his reputation, and is a complete delight to read. The only thing that keeps me from giving it five stars is that through the stories over the years Rumpole has mentioned brief snippets about the Penge bungalow murders--so there is some back story pretty firmly established, and Mortimer seems to have forgotten or ignored this and written a story that is at odds with his earlier writings on the incident....more
I have to confess that I've had this book since it first came out and I had not read it, but I saw the audio book version in my local B&N and decided I have to confess that I've had this book since it first came out and I had not read it, but I saw the audio book version in my local B&N and decided to take the lazy man's way.
At first, I must say, I was a bit distracted by the structure and by the seeming blurring of the lines between the LDS and the FLDS churches, as others have noted in their Goodreads critiques--but Krakauer has a method to his seeming madness.
To his great credit Krakauer treats the origins of the Mormon faith and the subesequent revalations of latter Latter Day Saints and Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints with great respect, never questioining whether these revalations came from God.
But the central question of the book really goes beyond Mormonism. Krakauer speaks of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith, as encouraging his followers to be in direct communication with God--and later essentially revoking that tenet and placing himself as the sole intermediary between God and the faithful. The dilemma, Krakayer asserts,is if everyone communicates directly with God then all "revalations" become valid, which can tend to destroy the underpinnings of society. The larger questions are: What is the nature of religious faith, and how does one determine what is true? Are we in a position to question the "voice of God" as heard by another? And, what principles for living are we to accept or reject?
What makes this book ultimately so effective, and devastaing is slow in coming, but Krakauer has skillfully paved the road for the final chapter. I won't give away the ending, but will say that it is definitely worth plowing through all the seeming digressions and asides to get there. After listening to the audio book, which is abridged, I will definitely go back and read the book itself....more
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