From Library Cards to Undercover Authors
From Library Cards to Undercover Authors
Plus, you could own a mini Headless Horseman
Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Headless horseman bridge, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, N.Y. North Tarrytown United States New York State New York, None. [Cbetween 1910 and 1920] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016812432/.
Halloween’s a few weeks away and, if you like to decorate with a literary nod, you should check out the offerings at Michaels craft stores this season. Edgar Allan Poe is well covered, with many items devoted to the man and his raven (including the Poe on a toilet figure which seems to be a joke that I don’t get). And there’s a (paltry) few items dedicated to Mary Shelley, which depict the Universal Studios image of Frankenstein (green skin and bolts) instead of hers (yellow and scarred skin with flowing black hair).
Happily, I also discovered a handful of items devoted to Washington Irving’s Ichabod Crane. It’s a story I’ve always loved, from Irving’s original text to Walt Disney’s animated cartoon with Bing Crosby to Tim Burton’s big screen adaptation, Sleepy Hollow.
Fun fact, the photo above is of the modern bridge that serves as a monument to Crane’s final ride, but wasn’t built until the early twentieth century. The original bridge Irving used as a reference for his terrifying tale is no longer around. You can read more about Washington Irving and Sleepy Hollow on the Visit Sleepy Hollow site.
I’ve got a great link roundup for you below. And, quick reminder, you can find more mystery related content at @moremysteryplease on Instagram.
IT’S LIBRARY CARD SIGNUP MONTH
Jenn McKinlay at Jungle Red Writers posts about the benefits of the local library and why everyone should have a library card.
This one’s an older post via Penguin Random House with a list of excellent books featuring libraries and librarians.
AGATHA IN THE NEWS
There’s a new Agatha Christie in Wallingford, and this time she’s bronze. The town’s installed a new statue near the Wallingford museum as a tribute to Christie’s residency in the town.
On the other side of the pond, Kiki Dy of Eater Carolinas introduces readers to Agatha’s Coffee and Tea House in Savannah, GA. The restaurant isn’t officially associated with the famous writer, but, with it’s circa 1930s decor and “legend” about a suspected murderer, Agatha Harper, threaded into its theme, might be the perfect eatery for any Golden Age mystery lover.
BOOK BLIPS
Ever wondered why writers use pen names? On Book Riot, Elisa Shoenberger has answers.
On CrimeReads, Mark Waddell discusses his favorite settings for charming murders.
Also on CrimeReads, Lauren Muñoz examines how Golden Age murders have influenced current YA mysteries. Side note, I’ve read Muñoz’s Suddenly A Murder and it’s fantastic.
Lewis Buzbee details the struggle of saying goodbye to books and why it’s necessary on Literary Hub.
Criminal Element has an article by Nina Simon about three things she wishes she’d known before writing her first murder mystery.
At Something Is Going To Happen, take a ride with Gabriela Stiteler as she explores the joy of thrift stores and pulp magazines.
Liberty Hardy at Book Riot lists authors who do double duty as booksellers.
And we’re at the end of this newsletter. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks with more links. Until then, here’s a list of two fairly new mystery novels and one upcoming novel I’ve enjoyed recently that you might too:
Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James - 1940s murder mystery with a fast talking sassy style.
Grave Expectations by Alice Bell - A medium, a ghost, and a country house murder with strong characters and a twisty plot.
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard- The bond between sisters is tested when one of them goes missing. The ending in this one left me devastated.