It’s been a while since I read the classic hard-boiled detectives, and felt like revisiting the pillars of the genre. The Big Sleep is one of those genre-defining works, but a lot has changed in the 80+ years since its publication. Following is a review of the novel, with a summary that is waxing philosophical […]
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Bad weather archaeology
Droughts Exposing Archaeology Aquis Querquennis is a Roman fort in Galicia, Spain. Constructed circa 69-79 AD, it was occupied by the Legio VII Gemina until that unit was posted to Dacia in 120 AD, when it was abandoned. It was rediscovered in 1920 and had undergone excavations, but what is interesting is that in 1949 […]
Review: The Law, by Jim Butcher (plus Little Things: a short story)
At this point I’m pretty much invested in the Dresden Files series, so there’s a lot of momentum in reading new releases. This review covers the recent Novella plus a short story that appeared in another anthology. What to Expect The Law: Expect a shorter story, about a quarter of the usual novel length. More […]
Book Review: Comeuppance Served Cold, by Marion Deeds
Historical-fantasy blends are my favourite genre, and the Roaring 1920’s is one of my fav periods, so of course this drew my attention. What to Expect Expect a half-heist half-revenge story, told in a somewhat non-linear way (lots of skipping back and forth). The story mostly follows Dolly White, with occasional other points of view, […]
Nero – a Life in Coins
I’ve posted this image on Instagram with a short blurb, but thought the subject warrants more expansion. The coins feature the emperor Nero throughout his reign. Born in 37 CE, proclaimed emperor at 54 (aged just shy of seventeen) and overthrown in 68 at the age of thirty one, he’s probably one of the more […]
Announcing my collaboration with Neil Gaiman!
I’m ecstatic to announce a collaboration between myself and Neil Gaiman, revolving around ancient mythologies!
TV Series Review: Miss (and Ms) Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Double whammy (and a half): review of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the sequel series Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, and a note about the book series that sparked them. First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Yes, I’ve watched the TV series before reading the books. However, that is how I found out about […]
Book Review: L’Esprit de L’Escalier, by Catherynne M. Valente
A promise of a Hugo-award finalist retelling of one of my favourite greek myth caught my interest for a quick read. What to Expect Expect a Gothic novelette, full of brooding atmosphere. The ancient Greek gods are the rock stars (literally) of the modern world, and we get to explore what might have been were […]
Book Review: Amongst Our Weapons, by Ben Aaronovitch
The Rivers of London is a good series and I’ve enjoyed the previous volumes, so I was quite excited with new release. What to Expect Expect another typical Peter Grant supernatural crime blend, reading like a modern British police procedural novel except that the crimes (and police people) deal with magic. By now Aaronovitch is […]
Book Review: Unremarkable, by Geoff Habiger and coy Kisse
I love the 1920’s and historical fantasy, so any combination is an obvious allure 🙂 What to Expect Expect a short novel about a good Jewish boy from Chicago getting caught in the notorious gang wars between AL Capone and Bugs Moran. Not only is that bad enough, but there’s a supernatural twist that bubbles […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 