--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00001 Date: 06/09/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 10:16am \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Various... -=> Quoting Fred Runk to Dorothy Reynolds <=- -=> While in the White Hart, Dorothy Reynolds insisted to Fred Runk that FR> <=- DR> I'm most fortunate in that we DR> have a very well-stocked library in the building where I live and FR> A library in the building where you live? Yeppers. I live in a Senior apartment building. We have a great library. All the books are donated, mostly by the tenants, but others who are relatives or friends also donate them; thus a wide variety of books are at our disposal. It's great, especially for the tenants who otherwise might not be physically able to get to the public library. DR> My problem is DR> making a decision which ones to read. Sigh! FR> Random access? Alphabetic? Reverse Alphabetic? All of the above. (VBG). Works for me. DR> English was my favorite subject and I always did well with DR> composition. As for literature, my teacher used to tell me I didn't DR> read books, I devoured them. Still do. I can get lost for hours in DR> a good book. FR> I go deaf with a book in hand. Me too. Can remember when I was a kid how many times I nearly missed out on meals because I was so engrossed in a book didn't hear my mother call me to come and eat. And next to reading, eating is my next best favorite thing to do. FR> I teach at several community colleges in the area, one's on a rural FR> campus, FR> surrounded by desert and mountains and heat and cactus (really very FR> nice), FR> the others are at the local state prison (not very nice at all), and FR> occasionally at the local AF Base. Hmmm, not an ivy-covered campus in FR> the bunch. I suppose teaching adults can be more difficult than teaching children at times. Most kids are willing to learn and have more open minds. Adults sometimes think they know as much or more than the teacher. At least I find this to be so in some of the adult classes I've attended. It's a tough job, no matter what and my hat's off to you. DR> Welcome aboard and I hope you stay with us. FR> Thanks. I've actually been around for many months, but my messages FR> never seemed to get any response until lately. Plot for story--case of FR> the missing fidomail. Yeah, that would make a good story. Maybe the perp is a pregnant "Mouse" from someone's computer. Stole it to make a nest? Naw! Dorothy FR> ... at began: Once upon a Mobius strip, there was a story th FR> ___ FR> X Blue Wave/QWK v2.20 X FR> -!- Maximus 2.02 FR> ! Origin: Fred's Place (1:300/6.2) ... Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro * Origin: Pacific Rim Information -=- San Diego, CA -=- (1:202/711) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00002 Date: 06/09/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 10:53am \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Where is everybody? -=> Quoting Fred Runk to Dorothy Reynolds <=- -=> While in the White Hart, Dorothy Reynolds insisted to Fred Runk that FR> <=- DR> My favorite author is Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series. Have you ever read him? Good writer. FR> No, don't remember ever reading any of McBain's stuff, although I've FR> certainly heard of him. If you like police procedurals, you will like McBain. FR> My favorites right now tend to be the police procedurals, especially FR> British FR> for some reason: London, Oxford, etc. The British writers do seem to have a way with the mysteries. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle comes to mind. I kind of like Ngaio Marsh too. Have only read one of her books so far, but our library is full of them and intend to read more. She's been compared with Agatha Christie. FR> I also like the mysteries set in other times and other climes. Along FR> with PD James, Martha Grimes, Elizabeth George, and Colin Dexter, I FR> also enjoy Ellis Peter's tales of Brother Cadfael; Anne Perry's FR> Victorian amnesiac detective, Monk; and a series set in Augustinian FR> Rome, based on the exploits FR> of a private informer, Falco, by Lindsey Davis, I think. I've read several of Ellis Peter's tales. They are enjoyable. Been quite some time since I've read him though. Will have to get back to him one of these days. Mysteries know no boundaries. They've been with us since time began and I find them fascinating. Those set in the times you've mentioned are often more so, because the investigators didn't have the modern methods we have today. Had to rely on their minds and gut feelings to solve the crime. Well Fred, you've given me a lot of authors to explore. Thanks loads. I wasn't aware Asimov wrote mysteries too, but doesn't surprise me. What a prolific writer he was! I haven't read Bayer, but have seen the Janek series on TV. As for Tony Hillerman, I have a friend who was a student of his when he taught at UNM in Albuquerque. He's told me several little anecdotes about the man and has a very high regard for him. I've just got to read his books-one of these days-So many books and so little time. (She heaves a large sigh). :} DR> What part of the country do you live in? I'm in San Diego, Ca. FR> Tucson, Arizona--just down the road from you. Ah, that explains the mountains, sun, desert, cactus, etc. Should have guessed. You gave me enough clues. (G). I thought maybe Texas or New Mexico. Howdy neighbor! Talk to you later, Dorothy FR> CBIP: Zenna Henderson, INGATHERING, 319/565 FR> CSIP: Gene Wolfe, CALDE OF THE LONG SUN, 1/370 FR> Book Three of "The Book of the Long Sun" FR> COTBIP: Joseph Conrad & Ford Madox Ford, ROMANCE, 111/428 FR> ... Iluvatar: Creation is a symphony in which each life is a theme. FR> -!- FR> X Blue Wave/QWK v2.20 X FR> -!- Maximus 2.02 FR> ! Origin: Fred's Place (1:300/6.2) ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro * Origin: Pacific Rim Information -=- San Diego, CA -=- (1:202/711) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00003 Date: 06/12/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 11:23am \/To: BELLE BIJOU (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Susan Isaacs -=> Quoting Belle Bijou to Dorothy Reynolds <=- BB> I'd like to say to , DOROTHY REYNOLDS (1:202/711) who said: Belle: Thanks for the info on James Lee Burke. I definitely will read him. BB> Well, he is probably my very favorite, or darn close to it. His BB> writing is very lyrical, often poetic. But you should also know that BB> there is pretty graphic violence in his books. I don't let that stop me if it's a part of the story. I've read quite a few books with violent scenes in them. If the writing is good, that's what counts. BB> He's really a pretty good actor, although I think both his brothers BB> might be better. But this was NOT the role for him. Agreed, his brothers are better. They are all fine looking specimens of men, but that doesn't make one a better actor. I didn't picture Alec as Jack Ryan in Hunt For Red October. Thought Harrison Ford much better for the role, but what do I know? I just adore those cajun men! :} Am fascinated with Louisiana anyway. So much history there. Being of French extraction myself must explain my penchant for the place. I once visited Baton Rouge and loved the ambience. Unfortunately time ran out before I had the chance to visit New Orleans. Hope to get back there someday. Just finished Anne Rule's book Dead by Sunset. A true story about a suave, seemingly sophisticated man who could charm the birds from the trees, but what a bad guy he turned out to be. If you like True Crime stories, recommend you read it. Just picked up Walter Moseley's Black Betty. I suppose I should read his books in sequence, but it's the only one in our library at the moment. Cant' wait to get started on him. Have heard very good words about his books. Will let you know how I like it. Talk to you later Belle. Thanks again for the info on Heaven's Prisoners. Definitely plan on reading it. Dorothy BB> -!- msged 2.05 BB> ! Origin: 1:109/253 Dinah's Scrabblemania (1:109/253) ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro * Origin: Pacific Rim Information -=- San Diego, CA -=- (1:202/711) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00004 Date: 06/12/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 11:41am \/To: RICHARD KNOWLES (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Where is everybody? -=> Quoting Richard Knowles to Dorothy Reynolds <=- RK> In a message of , dorothy reynolds (1:202/711.3) RK> writes: RK>I saw your previous message about Susan Isaacs but I haven't read her. RK>Traffic in this area can be slow. > Think I figured out why messages weren't coming through. Little >problem with BBS in the throes of change over to Internet. Stuff coming >through loud and clear now. RK> Sorry about replying so late. That's okay. I was laid up for a couple of days and am just now getting around to reading messages. RK> My mystery reading is hap-hazard. I RK> have read very few of the better known writers except for Tony RK> Hillerman. Mine too. I like to look for some of the lesser known writers. Very often surprised at how good the books are. It seems some authors get a lot of recognition, while others who are just as good seem to fade away. I've not gotten around to Tony Hillerman yet, but I understand he's quite good. Don't think he's writing as much as he used to. Believe I read somewhere he isn't in the best of health. As for the others you mention here I haven't read any of them but I'm going to print out this message and keep it for further reference. Thanks for telling me about them. I kind of like to change off sometimes and read other things besides mysteries, but they are my first love in reading. Next to historical books, that is. You sound as if you are as avid a reader as I am. It's a great way to escape from the everyday trials of life, and it's amazing the things we learn--even from fiction. But then, aren't most books based on true life? Nice talking to you again, Richard. Dorothy I have read nearly all (28 out of 33) of Arthur Upfield's RK> series about a half-European/ half-Aborigine Inspector in the RK> Queensland police force with the unlikely name of Napoleon Bonaparte. RK> Unfortunately, I think they are all out of print again. I have read RK> several mysteries set in Ancient Rome by Lindsey Davis, John Maddox RK> Roberts, and Stephen Saylor. All three authors are good with Saylor RK> being the best. RK> Bruce Alexander has a new series based on real historical character, RK> Sir John Fielding, a blind 18th century London magistrate. He created RK> one of the 1st English police forces, the Bow Street Runners, and was RK> brother to Henry Fielding, the novelist. The 1st one is called Blind RK> Justice. RK> I also really like the works of Laurie King who has two series, one RK> about a lesbian detective in the SFPD, the 1st book is A Grave Talent, RK> and two books about Sherlock Holmes and a bright female apprentice: The RK> Beekeeper's Apprentice and A Monstrous Regiment of Women. RK> I have also read two mysteries about a Ranger with the federal Bureau RK> of Land Management. She is a Basque which lands her right in the RK> middle of the cattle vs sheep range wars which still haven't entirely RK> gone away. The author is Kirk Mitchell, whose first books I read were RK> SF about an alternate history where Rome never failed. RK> RK> And I've read a number of others. The very first Ruth Rendell. A RK> couple of Anne Perry books and so forth. RK> -!- msged 2.07 RK> ! Origin: Sci-Fido, Berkeley, CA (1:161/84) ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro * Origin: Pacific Rim Information -=- San Diego, CA -=- (1:202/711) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00005 Date: 06/13/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 09:13am \/To: CATHERINE VANICEK (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Where is everybody? -=> Quoting Catherine Vanicek to Dorothy Reynolds <=- CV> To DOROTHY REYNOLDS from Cate Vanicek & her laptop Siamese. -=> Quoting Catherine Vanicek to Dorothy Reynolds <=- CV> I'm happy to get this conference, too. I've been using DorthyL, an CV> Internet mystery group, because nothing was showing up here. I was CV> gratified to see a couple of messages there from Suzze. For a while I CV> thought I'd lost all of you guys, and it's good to know I haven't. Aha! So that's where Suzze is. Glad to hear she's still around. We don't have DorothyL on our BBS. DR> Is this going to affect your participation in the DR> Writing Conference too? CV> Yes. I'm fairly sure it will. MYSTERY seems almost impossible, CV> though. I found a BBS that carries it, but there's is absolutely no CV> mail. Zip. And that's true even when Butter brings mystery mail in. CV> I contacted the sysop about it, but got no response. DR> I kind of like the BBS as it is. I've gotten used to the DR> simplicity of it. CV> I wonder if the regular BBSes will swindle, too. Some seem to be CV> doing that now. DR> DR> The internet is kind of scary. So much new stuff to learn DR> in order to operate it, but then, I'm not all that swift about DR> this electronic stuff. Do like the idea of messages going through DR> faster though. CV> I enjoy that part, too. DR> I'm getting ready to read DR> Anne Rule's Dead By Sunset. It came into our private library the DR> other day. Update on the above book. I really liked it. It's about a very suave man who can charm anyone, even the police. He is suspected of killing his fourth wife in 1986 but the police couldn't get enough evidence to arrest him for several years. Finally came to trial in 1993. Excellent book. I've printed what you wrote here and will save it for further reference of books to read. Thanks. DR> How's your writing coming along? And how are you? Hope your DR> physical problems are under control and that you're feeling DR> better. I read a message that you've been suffering with back DR> problems. CV> My back's not going to be cured, but that's the way it goes. At least CV> it isn't as bad as it was. Thanks for asking. Glad to hear you're doing better. Back problems are no fun. Been there so I can empathize. Take care of yourself. CV> So how are you? I'm great. Still trying to get some writing done, but for some reason my heart's not in it at the moment. Gotta exercise more self-discipline. Too many distractions I guess. Like reading all those good mysteries. :}. Well have to go. My cleaning person is coming to do my apartment in a few minutes. Talk to you later. Please stay in touch and I'll do the same. Dorothy CV> Cate CV> -!- Blue Wave/386 v2.30 CV> ! Origin: Bitter Butter Better BBS, Tualatin OR, 503-691-7938 CV> (1:105/290) ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 --- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro * Origin: Pacific Rim Information -=- San Diego, CA -=- (1:202/711) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00006 Date: 06/15/96 From: FRED RUNK Time: 09:03am \/To: SAM WARING (Read 3 times) Subj: Messaging and authors -=> While in the White Hart, Sam Waring insisted to Fred Runk that <=- SW> That's her: BIMBOS OF THE DEATH SUN is a perfectly hysterical, SW> dead- on-target sendup of cons and the fen who attend them. The SW> mystery's only average, but I feel it's more than redeemed by her SW> descriptive writing. Some of those who were apparently easily identified in her book weren't too happy about the characterization. SW> I recently heard an interview with McCrumb on "All Things Consid- SW> ered," where she said that she doesn't consider the last several books SW> she's written (the ones with Nora Bonesteel in them) to be SW> "mysteries." She said she feels that they're novels which evoke the How are they marketed? As mysteries or do they show up in the general fiction section or both? SW> part of Appalachia with which she's familiar, rather than whodunits, SW> and that she tells her fans this when they ask about when her next SW> "mystery" is coming out, and complain that her last "mystery" didn't SW> have enough detection in it or something. Sounds like a problem with typecasting or an identity crisis. ... Tagline War Carnage: Next on Geraldo ___ X Blue Wave/QWK v2.20 X --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Fred's Place (1:300/6.2) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAK00007 Date: 06/15/96 From: MATTHEW SHAPIRO Time: 08:27am \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: cool cool message base. The Loading Zone BBS [VSB] 201-796-1827 Saddle Brook, NJ 28.8 V34/14.4 --- VFIDO 7.12 * Origin: The Loading Zone (1:2604/408) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAL00000 Date: 06/15/96 From: RICHARD KNOWLES Time: 09:36am \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Where is everybody? In a message of , Fred Runk (1:300/6.2) writes: RK> Saylor series about Gordianus the Finder. The first one is Roman RK> Blood and the second is Arms of Nemesis. There are RK> presently 5 in all. I also like the John Maddox Roberts RK> series which begins with SPQR, but the Saylor series is the RK> best one of the three. >Don't know the Saylor series. Thanks for the information. I will certainly >look around for those, especially since you suggested it's better than the >Davis' set. I think I've heard of the John Maddox Roberts series, but >related to the Science Fiction genre, not mystery. Roberts is now writing sword-and-sorcery mysteries. The 1st one was a Forgotten Realms book and the 2nd is a Dragonlance book. >You may get some argument on that from some, but I definitely consider AVES >OF STEEL to be one of his best. I have read ROBOTS OF DAWN and considered >it ok, but I didn't feel it was a mystery in the same sense as CAVES OF >STEEL or THE NAKED SUN. Those two were written to be mysteries, if you now >what I mean, while Asimov had something else in mind for ROBOTS OF DAWN. >think he concentrated more on linking his robot series to his "Foundation" >series and concentrated less on writing a mystery tale. >I enjoyed meeting R Daneel once again, but it was a much weaker tale, >although of interest to completists and those curious about how he was oing >to bring all his works into one universe. I enjoyed Robots and Empire where the link is made explicitly. Not a mystery though. --- msged 2.07 * Origin: Sci-Fido, Berkeley, CA (1:161/84) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAL00001 Date: 06/15/96 From: RICHARD KNOWLES Time: 09:53am \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Where is everybody? In a message of , Fred Runk (1:300/6.2) writes: RK> Aborigine Inspector in the Queensland police force with the RK> unlikely name of Napoleon Bonaparte. Unfortunately, I RK> think they are all out of print again. I have read >I think they are back in print again. I've seen a whole section of a local >bookstore dedicated to Upfield's mysteries. >If you can't find them, let me know if you are missing any. Perhaps I ould >find them around here. Ok, I need: The House of Cain The Beach of Atonement A Royal Abduction Gripped by Drought Bony and the White Savage (alternative title: The White Savage) RK> Bruce Alexander has a new series based on real historical RK> character, Sir John Fielding, a blind 18th century London RK> magistrate. He created one of the 1st English police RK> forces, the Bow Street Runners, and was brother to Henry RK> Fielding, the novelist. The 1st one is called Blind RK> Justice. >Ah, interesting. Henry Fielding served as a magistrate also for some time. >Have yo read any of them? What did you think of it? Yeah, I've read the first one, Blind Justice. The mystery was kind of silly but Sir John is great. >Which one of Perry's two series did you read--or both possibly? I'm eading >the Monk series right now. Might look in on the other sometime. My wife has be reading both. She really likes the Monks. I read the first book about the Pitts and liked it but I really hated the one where they first meet. --- msged 2.07 * Origin: Sci-Fido, Berkeley, CA (1:161/84) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAL00002 Date: 06/16/96 From: JOAN TUCKEY Time: 01:09pm \/To: DOROTHY REYNOLDS (Read 3 times) Subj: I'se right here Hello DOROTHY! 27 May 96 13:15, DOROTHY REYNOLDS wrote to JOAN TUCKEY: DR> Hello Joan! Glad to hear from you. Thought maybe you'd gotten DR> snowed in and I missed the flare you sent up for someone to DR> come dig you out. Guess I can put my shovel back in the tool DR> shed. :} We are always afraid to put our shovels away just in case we might need them. One year it actually snowed on June 9. Right now it is a balmy 70 degrees F.and the sun is shining. My garden is doing well - tomatoes are blooming. DR>> Left a question about Susan Isaacs and got no reply. Guess no one DR>> reads her? JT>> I haven't read her - yet. :-) Am about to start "Magic Hour". Just finished "Roman Blood" by Steven Saylor. He was recommended by someone here. It was suggested that this series was better than the "Falco" series by ??. I found the book a little slow to get in to, but then stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to finish it. Someone else suggested that Saylor is quite bloody. He certainly describes the early Roman society as being entirely different from our present day society. They had different values than ours. It goes to show that human beings have progressed somewhat in the last few thousand years. We still have a long ways to go, however. DR> Lucky you to have room for a garden. It's the one thing I miss DR> about apartment living. However, I don't have a green thumb. I'm DR> the only person I know who can kill artificial plants. Whatcha DR> growing? Veges, flowers or both? The garden isn't very big - just the right size for me. I grow a few veggies, and lots of flowers - mostly perennials. I don't mind that you kill artificial plants - they aren't nearly as nice as real ones. JT>> The latest book I've read was "The Baked Bean Supper Murders" by JT>> Virginia Rich. It was a good read and full of mouthwatering JT>> recipes - for baked beans and lobster dishes and other things. JT>> The one I'm working on now is "House of Blues" by Julie Smith. I JT>> have read several others of hers and really like them - set in JT>> New Orleans. DR> Never heard of either of these ladies, but they are on my "look DR> for"list. Just finished reading a Lillian O'Donnell. Private Crime. DR> Good book and a fast read. My first of hers to read, but we have DR> several more in our private library, so intend to bone up DR> on her. Somehow I didn't enjoy "House of Blues" as much as others by Julie Smith. She has several series going. I discovered her because of a recommendation on this echo. I will be looking for Lillian O'Donnell in our library. JT>> What I want to know is how is your writing progressing? Have you JT>> heard any more from your publisher? DR> Thanks for asking. Am still in the pangs of re-write. It's not DR> going as well as expected. And I keep getting ideas for another novel DR> as I go along. Muddle is the word for it. However, I did submit one DR> little piece to Reader's Digest Life in These United States and Canada has its own version of Reader's Digest so if you get accepted I probably won't see it. DR> Well gotta go. Time for lunch, then back to the novel. Take care. DR> Oh, before I forget, have copied your email address down in my DR> book, so don't be surprised if you get an email message from me. DR> Our sysop is in the process of changing everything over to online. DR> My email address is bears@tnl-online.com Write me there sometime DR> if you wish. I've recorded your e-mail and one of these days will surprise you. So long for now, Joan (tuckey@planet.eon.net) ... Never take on more work than your assistant can handle. --- GoldED 2.50+ * Origin: Notes & Numbers, Edmonton, AB (1:342/1015)