Category Archives: Charlene’s post

Books That Feature Nature

Charlene D’Avanzo: What’s in your mind’s eye when you imagine New Jersey? It’s probably not a wilderness larger than most national parks – but that’s what is there and it’s called The Pine Barrens. A recent PBS program featured this … Continue reading

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Agatha Christie and The Guilty Party

Charlene D’Avanzo: Agatha Christie is called the “Queen Of Crime” for very good reason. She wrote an astounding 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, many that feature fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her murder mystery The Mousetrap … Continue reading

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Mysteries That Feature Books

Charlene D’Avanzo: Although I’ve read lots of mysteries none focused on books. It’s no surprise though that quite a few whodunits do feature libraries and librarians, book groups, booksellers, and more. Here are some that use the silence, solitude, and eyes … Continue reading

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Real People in Fictional Stories

Charlene D’Avanzo: Reading Rhys Bowen’s latest “Royal Spyness” mystery (Peril In Paris) I was intrigued by the appearance of a historical person – Wallis Simpson – who reminds French police that she (Simpson) is the king of England’s fiancée and thereby … Continue reading

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Christmas Mysteries

Charlene D’Avanzo: Many eminent crime writers have penned Christmas-themed stories, so, in the spirit of the season, here are a few: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie: On Christmas Eve the Lee Family is shocked by a loud crash followed by a … Continue reading

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Mystery novels avid readers recommend again and again

Charlene D’Avanzo: Several mystery novels avid readers (including me) repeatedly endorse: The Chief Inspector Gamache mysteries have gained dedicated fans over 17 novels (and counting). The first, Still Life, introduces Gamache who investigates murder in tiny Three Pines, Quebec where … Continue reading

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“True” Crime Fiction

I recently watched the latest Elvis film, titled, um, Elvis, featuring Austin Butler in the lead and Tom Hanks as the villain, Colonel Tom Parker. While Butler is a terrific Elvis, Hanks pulls off a remarkable transformation from beloved actor … Continue reading

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Earth Day

On this Earth Day, April 22nd, I look back to the very first Earth Day – what triggered it, what happened where, and what it was like. The year was 1970 and pollution was widespread. Cities like New York were … Continue reading

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK TITLE GOOD?

As with pretty much everything from Catching Butterflies to Cooking Bread, you’ll find “how to” advice for creating book titles on the web.   An article that begins with “a good book title can mean the difference between a bestseller … Continue reading

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The Duty of Writers: Pay No Attention to Duty

Charlene D’Avanzo: I haven’t been at this mystery writing business long, so now and then I seek the wisdom of veteran authors hoping their acumen will rub off. For some reason I’m often thirsty for literary inspiration at bedtime, so … Continue reading

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