--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAS00001 Date: 06/17/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 04:56pm \/To: JOAN TUCKEY (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: I'se right here -=> Quoting Joan Tuckey to Dorothy Reynolds <=- JT> Hello DOROTHY! JT> 27 May 96 13:15, DOROTHY REYNOLDS wrote to JOAN TUCKEY: DR> Guess I can put my shovel back in the tool shed. :} JT> We are always afraid to put our shovels away just in case we might JT> need them. One year it actually snowed on June 9. Right now it is a JT> balmy 70 degrees F.and the sun is shining. My garden is doing well - JT> tomatoes are blooming. I can remember as a child in Colorado. It snowed on my birthday. June 23rd. We're all victims of Mother Nature, eh what? Glad to hear your getting warm weather now. Love garden fresh tomatoes. Enjoy. The ones we get here are mostly hot house or come from Mexico and tasteless. And I can't afford to by them anyhow. Prices are out of sight. DR>> Left a question about Susan Isaacs and got no reply. Guess no one DR>> reads her? JT>> I haven't read her - yet. :-) JT> Am about to start "Magic Hour". You'll love it. I hope. I enjoyed it very much but then my tastes might differ from yours. Let me know if you like it. JT> Just finished "Roman Blood" by Steven JT> Saylor. He was recommended by someone here. It was suggested that this JT> series was better than the "Falco" series by ??. I found the book a JT> little slow to get in to, but then stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to finish JT> it. Someone else suggested that Saylor is quite bloody. He certainly JT> describes the early Roman society as being entirely different from our JT> present day society. They had different values than ours. It goes to JT> show that human beings have progressed somewhat in the last few JT> thousand years. We still have a long ways to go, however. Well, here's another author I haven't read. Will the list never end? :} And yes, we have progressed--somewhat, but sometimes I wonder when I watch the news. Seems as though everyday we hear of at least two murders or drive-by shootings per day. But we Americans are a pretty violent people at times. No respect for our fellow man. From what I read, Canada is a less violent nation. Good for you. JT> The garden isn't very big - just the right size for me. I grow a few JT> veggies, and lots of flowers - mostly perennials. I don't mind that JT> you kill artificial plants - they aren't nearly as nice as real ones. No they aren't and you have to dust them. I don't do dusting. :} DR> 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. 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 JT> Canada has its own version of Reader's Digest so if you get accepted I JT> probably won't see it. If it gets accepted and into print, will send you a copy. I get RD every month. My cousin gives me a subscription every year for Christmas. What a nice gift. Lots of enlightening things in there. I understand it's pretty difficult to get anything printed by them, and take a long time to let you know if they do accept anything. They never mail a rejection. You just send it in and hope for the best. If you don't hear from them in two months, you can pretty well write it off as a NO. However, I've heard of cases where the submitter has had things printed as long as seven years after submission. Guess they get reams of stuff, so it's a crap shoot. Have you ever heard of Robert Jagoda? I discovered one of his books in our library. It's rather old-copyrighted in 1977. Title-A Friend In Deed. I'm just getting started with it and so far, I like it. It's about a widower who re-marries, but is sorry he did and decides to kill his wife. He plans what he thinks is the perfect crime, but it backfires on him. The wrong woman gets killed and he turns sleuth to solve the crime. It's pretty funny (Funny ha ha, that is). Different to say the least. I'll let you know if I should recommend it. Happy gardening. Will be back soon. Dorothy JT> ... Never take on more work than your assistant can handle. JT> ! Origin: Notes & Numbers, Edmonton, AB (1:342/1015) ... If you don't have a job without aggravation-you don't have a job. ___ 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: DAS00002 Date: 06/17/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 06:07pm \/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> Yeppers. I live in a Senior apartment building. We have a great DR> library. All the books are donated, mostly by the tenants, but FR> Sounds very convenient, especially if one doesn't have a large FR> personal collection, or if one gets pocketbook shock at the cost of new FR> books today. I do have a large personal collection-only because I hate to part with books. But every so often am forced to. Pass them on to my family and friends. But I do have two autographed mysteries written by Kevin Robinson who used to participate in this conference. No amount of money could force me to give them up. They are a treasure. Can't find them in the book stores, but I'm sure the public library has them. Titles: Split Seconds (which I haven't been able to find to buy, but keep looking). Can always check it out at the library. Mall Rats A Matter of Perspective. These are the two I own. I loved them. He's a good writer and I understand he's working on the fourth one. Look for these three in your library. They are in hard back only. I think you'll like them. His protaganist writes a newspaper column (which Kevin actually does). He's wheel chair bound. (And Kevin is too). I think he's based his character on himself. :}. The protaganist hangs out in the malls to gather material for his column and to visit with an array of friends. Gets involved in a mystery and of course, with the aid of his friends, solves it. I particularly enjoyed the books for having corresponded with him via this medium. Feel as if I've gotten some insight as to the type of man he is. He has a wonderful sense of humor and it shows in his writing. DR> I suppose teaching adults can be more difficult than teaching DR> children at times. Most kids are willing to learn and have more DR> open minds. FR> Interesting. I have the opposite experience. I'm teaching a group of FR> high FR> school students now during the summer session: a First Step program. I guess I'm basing my opinion on my experiences from training adults during my working years. So many times when I tried to explain how we did things, I got either an "I know that," when I knew darn well they didn't or I wouldn't be training them Or, the comment would be, "Well that isn't the way we did it at..." Then I'd have to remind them they were no longer employed at...and this is the way we do it here. Frustrating! I could tell who had the open mind and cared about learning the job and who didn't. If they asked intelligent questions, I knew they cared. If they asked no questions and just nodded and said "uh huh" look out. FR> I FR> would much rather teach adults as they are far more open and willing FR> to engage in a dialogue. Most of the younger students seem to believe FR> that learning consists sitting quietly and letting the teacher pour the FR> accumulated wisdom of the ages into their heads. And, I have no idea FR> of where I'm supposed to get this "wisdom of the ages." Well, I guess teaching is a different ball of wax than training new employees, but in a way it's similar. The bottom line is willing to learn. FR> There are exceptions of course, but so far this is my general FR> impression. DR> Adults sometimes think they know as much or more than the teacher. DR> At least I find this to be so in some of the adult classes I've FR> FR> I teach writing, intro psych, and literature classes. I prefer FR> students who FR> have ideas and bring them up--I think we all learn more that way. I FR> like even those who do know more than me. Me too. I am nearly 73 and still seek knowledge. Have learned many things from those younger than myself. It's a matter of keeping an open mind, and I also like to contribute what knowledge I have to someone else. It's all in the "Attitude." DR> Yeah, that would make a good story. Maybe the perp is a pregnant DR> "Mouse" from someone's computer. Stole it to make a nest? DR> Naw! FR> Love it. Works for me. Always thinking, that's me. Chalk it up to my writer's devious mind. (VBG). DR> ... Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun. FR> Very nice. I'm going to borrow it and revise it slightly, if you FR> don't mind. Don't mind a bit. I "borrowed" it myself. Found it on one of those Perpetual calendars that have little witticisms on each page. It seemed appropriate for a writer-or-a teacher. FR> ... Imagination is intelligence having fun. Hey, that's even better. Positive thinking. Here's another one I like. The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. Talk to you later. Dorothy 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: DAS00003 Date: 06/17/96 From: DOROTHY REYNOLDS Time: 06:52pm \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Mysteries -=> Quoting Fred Runk to Dorothy Reynolds <=- -=> While in the White Hart, Dorothy Reynolds insisted to Fred Runk that FR> <=- DR> If you like police procedurals, you will like McBain. FR> Might give him a looksee also--along with some 50-100 others. You and me three. (g). I can resist everything except books. DR> I kind of like Ngaio Marsh too. FR> I've read many of Ngaio Marsh's mysteries--that was the problem. I FR> found about 20 or more in a usedbook store that was getting rid of them FR> cheaply. I read a bunch of them in a short period of time and FR> consequently discovered FR> one of the patterns she used. If I had read them spread out, one FR> every few FR> months, I probably would never have noticed it. I stopped reading her FR> therefore. I will probably go back some time and read her works FR> occasionally--but not a bunch at a time. I find that to be the case too. One can read the same author for just so long before the stories become almost predictable. Especially one as prolific as Marsh. Kind of spoils it for you if you can figure it out before you're half way through the book. It takes a special kind of author who can spin yarn after yarn and each one with a completely different pattern. Guess that's why I kind of jump around from author to author. Find this to be the case in whatever genre I read. I even throw in a Silhouette or Harlequin Romance occasionally for a change of pace. But I find they have the same basic plot, regardless of the author. In fact, it was because I found this to be so, that I decided to try my hand at writing a Romance. "Surely, I can do better than this" I told myself and sat down to attempt it. We'll see if it plays in Peoria. :} DR> I've read several of Ellis Peter's tales. They are enjoyable. Been DR> quite some time since I've read him though. Will have to get back DR> to him one of these days. FR> Well, they will be around for awhile--I doubt if they will go out of FR> print any time soon. Besides, it's always nice to know there's FR> something good waiting out there for when one has the time. DR> because the investigators didn't have DR> the modern methods we have today. Had to rely on their minds and DR> gut feelings to solve the crime. FR> Right--there's more of a reliance on logic, rationality, and FR> understanding of one's fellow humans in them. Also, there is some FR> "technology," and Brother Cadfael's experience with wounds and trauma FR> would make him an excellent coroner even today. Which goes to prove the old adage "there's nothing new under the sun." We seek to improve methods with modern eqipment, but the technology is basically the same. Maybe if Brother Cadfael were alive today, he might be able to solve some of today's "Still unsolved mysteries." Think so? DR> I wasn't aware Asimov wrote mysteries too, but doesn't FR> Yes, in fact some consider one of Asimov's mysteries, CAVES OF STEEL, FR> to be FR> one of his best novels. It is one of my favorite Asimov works. My oldest grandson is a great fan of his. He has a very large collection of his books. Some of everything. Next time I write will ask him if he has Caves of Steel. I bet he does. DR> I haven't read Bayer, but have seen the Janek series on TV. FR> While the TV versions lack some of the complexity and depth of the FR> novels, as is frquently the problem when moving a story from book to FR> film, the shows FR> definitely capture the feel of the novels. In fact, I got interested FR> in the FR> novels because of the TV presentations. I didn't realize they were FR> based on FR> novels until a friend loaned me one of his. When I read the novels, I FR> see Janek as Richard Crenna. Strange how we tend to do that. Picture a certain actor in the role of the protaganist. I read Hunt For Red October before they made the movie. They couldn't have picked a better star for the role of the Russian sub captain than Sean Connery, however I hated Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan. Couldn't see him in the role at all. I had him pictured a lot more vivacious than Baldwin played the part. Enjoyed the book much more than the movie. Find this to be true more often than not. I understand Clancy wasn't too happy with the movie either. Well my Fido friend, guess I better cut this short. I do tend to go on and on sometimes. Happy reading, and thanks for you most intelligent posts. Find them very enjoyable. Talk to you later, Dorothy FR> ... All my anachronisms are out of date. Good one. Consider it swiped. DR FR> -!- FR> X Blue Wave/QWK v2.20 X FR> -!- Maximus 2.02 FR> ! Origin: Fred's Place (1:300/6.2) ... I haven't lost my mind; it's backed up on tape somewhere! ___ 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: DAS00004 Date: 06/21/96 From: FRED RUNK Time: 04:31pm \/To: RAJIV JAMES (Read 3 times) Subj: stephen.r.lawhead -=> While in the White Hart, Rajiv James insisted to Fred Runk that <=- RJ> To: FRED RUNK RJ> Subject: stephen.r.lawhead RJ> FR+>Not at all. Fantasy is definitely allowable in the Fido RJ> conference. I'm FR+>fairly positive I've heard or read some RJ> conversation threads about Lawhead. RJ> Okay thanx a lot fred I'll check it out. You are welcome. I will be looking for you. ... Barkis is willin'. -C. Dickens- ___ 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: DAT00000 Date: 06/21/96 From: DELORES E ROWE Time: 10:07pm \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: reading matter... Fred Runk was discussing reading material with DER.... FR> DER> YUK!!! The main reason I left Phoenix was the HEAT!! I don't issit FR> DER> a bit! FR>Yeah, it gets too hot in Phoenix for me also. <> Good Grief! It must be at least, what.....10 degrees cooler in Tucson, huh?? FR> DER> night....Monday was nice,but yesterday and today it hardly got into FR> DER> the sixties and it was down to 36 last night! I think I woke up at the FR> DER> end of October!! :> FR>Sounds like the middle of winter to me! Ahh, yes, but......then there are days like Thursday, Friday and this morning. Azure skies, gentle breezes and high temperature of about 76-80! That, my man, is Paradise Found!!!!!!!! ! FR> FR>SIL? sister-in-law? FR> DER> FR> DER> Son-in law. FR>Ok. FR>I wonder what would be sister-in-law? SIL? FR> DER> and Shadows, Echoes In The Darkness and The Blooding, are gripping FR> DER> accounts of real cases. Do you remember William Holden as the Blue FR> DER> Knight? Many of his books have been made into quality movies. FR>Yep, definitely. Thought he brought a similar quality to the role that FR>Crenna brings to the Janek TV presentations. Indeed, he did. They did a TV series, and the Blue Knight was played by......( CRS rears it's ugly head again!)....darned if I can remember his name, but he also did a credible job. However, I much preferred William Holden. Joseph Wambaugh was also the executive director for the series Police Story, which ran for quite a while. This new one, Floaters, is OK, but it has a lot more of that sardon, caustic humor that LEO's seem to develop. It's not bad, though. FR> DER> Spy Who Came in From The Cold is excellent. Having read all of his, I FR> DER> was very disappointed in The Russia House and The Secret Pilgrim. I FR> DER> would recommend The Honorable Schoolboy and Smiley's People. A Small FR> DER> Town In Germany is also one of his best. FR>I saw TINKER, TAILOR.... on PBS, Great Performances I think it was, and FR>enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a long time ago, and don't remember much FR>except that I liked it--it was a "Smiley" tale, wasn't? Yes, it was. Actually, to get a real feel for Smiley, I think one would read the Honorable Schoolboy, Tinker, Tailor and Smiley's People. If I were to try and teach budding writers how to write a credible, true-to-life, espionage novel, those three would be required reading, along with The Spy Who Came in From The Cold and A Small Town In Germany. Le Carre is incomparable in his ability to build characters, and to portray the depth of feelings, the fear and the doubts of men and women under stress. I have a mental list of people that I would most like to be trapped on a desert island with for 24 hours, and he is very close to the top of my list! FR> FR>I have a bad habit of buying more than I can read--or input far FR> FR>exceeds output. FR> DER> FR> DER> hehehe!! Don't we all? Don't we all? FR>You mean, I'm not the only one. There are others like me out there...? g> Oh, probably only just about everyone that participates in this conference!! :) FR>Decided my next one, once the summer session ends, will be Colin Dexter's FR>THE DAUGHTERS OF CAIN. Are you a Professor? What do you teach? How long? Nosey aren't I? :) I would appreciate your honest evaluation when you have finished it. That way I can decide if I should add it to my ever increasing list!! I now have a list that I maintain on the computer. I show the date ordered from the library/purchased, date completed and a short review. The review is so I can remember a week from now what it was about!! hehehe! FR>... Drinking alone is bad, so I always order two beers. LOL!!! *** SLMR 2.1a Humor is just another defense against the universe.M.Broo --- TriToss (tm) Professional 10.0 - #189 * Origin: TMK BBS - 509.886.7607 - mystique@nwinternet.com (1:344/115.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAT00001 Date: 06/18/96 From: SAM WARING Time: 02:08pm \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Messaging and authors On 15 Jun 96 Fred Runk said this about that to Sam Waring: 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 "myste- SW>> ries." FR> How are they marketed? As mysteries or do they show up in the general FR> fiction section or both? Bookdealer's choice. I've seen her latest books put in "mystery" with her earlier ones (as dealers, we're as guilty of typecasting and putting authors in "categories," regardless of what they're writing, as anyone else) and also in mainstream fiction, in different stores. ... Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite. --- PPoint 2.00 * Origin: Shallow end of the gene pool (1:382/91.12) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAT00002 Date: 06/23/96 From: PATRICIA FERRARA Time: 01:45pm \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Libraries -=> Quoting Fred Runk to Patricia Ferrara <=- FR> It's good then that you have a library within reach and with FR> well-stocked shelves of books. I work in town and usually make my trips to the library right after leaving work. That branch of my parish's library is less than a five minute drive. The library in the rural area I live in is considerably less well- stocked. But they have some books that the town library doesn't, so I will have to catch those books during some vacation time... FR> Yes, ours around here do the same. Unfortunately, they seem to be a FR> well-kept secret among the lucky few--I invariably find out at least a FR> week late when they start bragging about the bargains they picked up: FR> Shopping bags full for a dollar or two, first editions, autographed FR> copies and so forth. >humph< Ours seems to be a bit of a secret, also, even though they are consistant about when it is held. It is the third Saturday (and preceding Friday) of every month. I went on Friday during lunch break and again on Saturday. Each time, there was only one or two other customers in there besides myself. I find this strange, but perhaps the world is divided into two groups... those who can afford to, and prefer to, buy their books brand new; and those who cannot afford to, or prefer to, borrow the books they read free of charge. FR> I had seen advertisements for the movie, and it left me cold. That FR> discouraged me from reading the book, and it's falling further back in FR> the list. Guess I need to begin moving it forward again, if it's FR> better than the movie. Oh, well... if the subject matter of the movie put you off, it's likely that you won't think much of the book either. You've got to go with your own instincts... I thought it brought a fresh perspective on the issue of sexual harrassment. I also enjoyed the computer-related aspect of the story. It is also interesting to note that it is based on a true story. Patsy ... Mention my name to get a blank stare at no extra charge! --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: Orion's Sword | Bush, LA | (504) 867-9701 | V.* (1:3828/1) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAT00003 Date: 06/23/96 From: PATRICIA FERRARA Time: 02:05pm \/To: FRED RUNK (Read 3 times) Subj: Voodoo -=> Quoting Fred Runk to Patricia Ferrara <=- FR> Isn't that the Haitian spelling? You've got me. I don't know. I only know that I've lived in this area all my life and have never seen the word spelled that way... until I read that book. Apparently, though, it is an acceptable spelling according to the dictionary. Live and learn. Patsy ... Sometimes the garbage disposal gods demand an offering of a spoon. --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: Orion's Sword | Bush, LA | (504) 867-9701 | V.* (1:3828/1) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAT00004 Date: 06/23/96 From: PATRICIA FERRARA Time: 02:11pm \/To: JOAN TUCKEY (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Julie Smith -=> Quoting Joan Tuckey to Patricia Ferrara <=- JT> I think most of her books are set in New Orleans. I remember reading JT> one with a BBS in it - "New Orleans Beat" or "Other People's JT> Skeletons" maybe). It was obvious from reading it that she didn't know JT> BBS's first hand but she had done some good research. It must have been "New Orleans Beat". That sounds quite familiar. JT> I read so many books that I keep track of them in a little notebook I JT> carry in my purse. I should do this, too. I've always had trouble remembering titles of books and movies. I drove my husband crazy when we'd go to a movie rental store together. I was always handing him a selection saying, "This one sounds good", only to have him reply, "We've SEEN that!" Oh well! Patsy ... Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so. --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: Orion's Sword | Bush, LA | (504) 867-9701 | V.* (1:3828/1) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 244 MYSTERY Ref: DAT00005 Date: 06/23/96 From: PATRICIA FERRARA Time: 02:29pm \/To: MAUREEN GOLDMAN (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Cajun Music -=> Quoting Maureen Goldman to Patricia Ferrara <=- MG> Sounds marvelous. The Cajuns have interesting music. I kind of MG> like it, kind of think that it's awful then go back to liking it MG> again. Cajun music isn't your everyday fare, in my opinion. I guess if you grew up listening to it, you might feel differently. I just listen to it on occasion, and I can enjoy it that way. Gotta' be in the mood, I suppose. Wright won the Edgar ten or so years ago for her book "The Suspect", set up the coast from Vancouver, Canada. I wonder how people who live in the Yorkshires feel about James Herriott's depiction of their land and people. Even if they feel it lacks authenticity, it won't change the way I feel about his writing. I love his books. But I guess I'm way off topic... I just finished Charlotte MacLeod's "The Gladstone Bag". I enjoyed it and will probably pick up another of her books on my next trip to the library. It will be awhile, though, since I have 5 books I just purchased from the library sale last week. It's so hard to find enough time to read these days! Patsy ... I let my mind wander - it never came back! --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: Orion's Sword | Bush, LA | (504) 867-9701 | V.* (1:3828/1)