A modern major criminal?

If you’re not familiar with the Major-General’s tongue-twister of a song, you can watch a snippet of the song (with a most Jack Sparrowish Pirate King) from Australia: Or the entire song in the 1983 performance—which has Kevin Kline, Linda Rondstadt, and Angela Lansbury, with George Rose as the Major-General—here: After you’ve watched how it’s…

Read More

Garden Party TwInvitation

You say your Royal Wedding invite got lost in the mail?  The White House staff seems to be ignoring you this summer? Well, fret no longer, your invitation to the social event of the season–nay, the year, is here.  If you’re feeling social, drop in and chat with Mary Russell and friends (Will that husband…

Read More

Gilbert & Sullivan

As I mentioned last week, after two relatively solemn outings for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, I wanted this novel to be funny.  Or at least, light-hearted, since an overtly comic novel might be beyond my particular skill set. Personally, I find the Russell stories funny, whenever I’ve had reason to re-read them, although they…

Read More

Monday’s Mutterings

Monday’s Mutterings are hosted today by my friends at the Lipstick Chronicles. Join the party, here–virtual Cosmos (or, pints of bitters) are on me!

Read More

Kids + pirates = ARrrghsome!

How can you not love a place that not only helps kids write, but does so by selling pirate gear, space travel supplies, and spy equipment? Here in the world of Laurie R. King, every new book is a chance to pay it back, to dedicate fundraisers for projects related to that year’s novel.  In 2011, it’s 826…

Read More

Clapboards & calamities

The last two Russell & Holmes novels—A Language of Bees and The God of the Hive—were fairly serious crime novels, their light-hearted moments few and far between.  When I agreed to do a third series novel in a row, I agreed, but with the proviso that this one would be fun.  A romp.  A farce,…

Read More