Category: Books

THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias / Z-View

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THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias

First sentences…

Luekemia.  That’s what the doctor said.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Mario’s life has gone to hell.  His daughter has cancer.  The medical bills are piling up.  Desperate to save his daughter, Mario takes a job from a friend who lives outside the law.  Mario agrees to kill a terrible man.

After, Mario is surprised.  Killing comes easy to him.  He’s good at it.  So Mario agrees to more jobs.  Bad people only. Drug dealers and child molesters.  Only people who “deserve” it.

Then his daughter dies.  His wife leaves him.  It was all for nothing.

Mario hates what he’s become.  He hates what he’s lost.  Mario wants to win his wife back.  They could start over.  But that would take life changing money.  Enough so he and his wife could move away and never work again.

So when Mario learns of a job that could give him that, he agrees.  It won’t be a murder for hire hit.  No.  Something much more dangerous.  Mario, an old friend, and a thug named Juanca will cross the border into Mexico.  There they will rip off a drug cartel and return to the states.  If they’re caught, a slow painful death awaits.  If they’re successful, can he trust Juanca or his old friend?  Money split two ways goes further than divided by three.

It’s a suicide mission, but if he survives…

Rating:

RIP: James Carlos Blake

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It was announced that James Carlos Blake died on January 11, 2025.  Mr. Blake was 81.  The cause of death was pneumonia.

Although Mr. Blake wrote off and on from his teens, it wasn’t until the 1980s that he began to write seriously for publication.  At that point James Carlos Blake began to get his short stories published in literary journals.  In 1995, his first novel, THE PISTOLEER saw print. It was a finalist for that year’s Best Novel of the West award from the Western Writers of America.

James Carlos Blake would go on to write 13 more novels and gain worldwide recognition (and awards) for his fiction.

I’ve been a James Carlos Blake fan for years.  His books are always entertaining.  If you’re a fan of crime fiction, then by all means seek them out.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Carlos Blake’s family, friends and fans.

“Ragtime” (1981) directed by Milos Foreman; starring James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern & Howard E. Rollins Jr. / Z-View

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Ragtime (1981)

Director:  Miloš Forman

Screenplay: Michael Weller, Bo Goldman (uncredited); based on RAGTIME by  E.L. Doctorow

Stars: James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Kenneth McMillan, Pat O’Brien, Donald O’Connor, James Olson, Mandy Patinkin, Mary Steenburgen, Debbie Allen, Jeffrey DeMunn, Robert Joy, Bruce Boa, Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Jeter, Ted Ross, John Ratzenberger and Norman Mailer.

Tagline: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime

The Plot…

An African-American baby is left in the yard of a wealthy family.  When the police discover the young unwed mother nearby, they are ready to put the child in an orphanage and the mother in jail.  The family decides to take in the mother and child until the mother can get on her feet.

The baby’s father shows up.  His name is Coalhouse Walker Jr.  He wants to marry the mother and support the child now that he has a job.  The wedding is planned and all is looking up until a group of racist firemen put horse manure in Coalhouse’s new car.  When the police and the courts refuse to make things right, Coalhouse decides to get his own revenge… against the city.

The famous architect Stanford White has placed a nude statue at the top of Madison Square Garden.  Evelyn Nesbit, a former chorus girl reportedly posed for the figure.  Now Evelyn is married to millionaire Harry Kendall Thaw.  Thaw is outraged and demands that White remove the statue.  White refuses.  Thaw murders White at a huge social event.  The court case will be considered the trial of the century.

These events will converge to become a part of American lore.  Like the tagline says, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ragtime was nominated for eight 1982 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Score: Randy Newman
  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Song: Randy Newman for the song “One More Hour”
  • Nominee – Best Costume Design: Anna Hill Johnstone
  • Nominee – Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: John Graysmark, Patrizia von Brandenstein, Tony Reading, George DeTitta Sr., George DeTitta Jr., Peter Howitt
  • Nominee – Best Cinematography: Miroslav Ondrícek
  • Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Michael Weller
  • Nominee – Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Elizabeth McGovern
  • Nominee – Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Howard E. Rollins Jr.

Ragtime would be James Cagney’s final film.  He hadn’t appeared in a movie in 20 years.  Cagney was in poor health during filming and so in most of his scenes he is seated.

This was also Pat O’Brien’s final film.  O’Brien and Cagney co-starred together in several films during the 30s and the 40s.

Jeff Daniels made his film debut in Ragtime.

Ragtime (1981) rates 4 of 5 stars.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S BUCKSKIN by Robert Knott / Z-View

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ROBERT B. PARKER’S BUCKSKIN by Robert Knott

First sentence…

An all-day celebration had been taking place.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The fever has come to Appaloosa.  Gold was discovered just north of town on land owned by two groups.  A group of business men led by Henry Baptiste own one piece.  The other belongs to the McCormick brothers.  The McCormicks bought their land from Baptiste before the gold was found.  Now Baptiste has regrets, but the McCormicks aren’t selling the land back.  Tempers have flared.  Both sides brought in gunmen.

First a miner disappeared.  Then another was found dead.  Now one of the Baptiste’s men has been murdered. So US Marshall Virgil Cole and his Deputy Everette Hitch are called in.  

Meanwhile, miles away, a sociopathic escaped convict hooks up with a mysterious woman with grudge.  The woman plans to use the psycho as an instrument of retribution.  The escaped con and his muse head for Appaloosa.

The citywide Appaloosa Days festival is going to be one to remember.

Rating:

EDENVILLE OWLS by Robert B. Parker / Z-View

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EDENVILLE OWLS by Robert B. Parker

First sentence…

The radio in our living room was about four feet tall.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The year is 1945.  The war is over.  Bobby is in eighth grade.  No longer a kid, but not grown either.  His best friends are Russell, Nick, Billy and Manny.  Oh, and we can’t forget Joan.  She’s been a best friend forever, but that relationship may be changing.

The school doesn’t have a basketball team so Bobby and the boys decide to start one.  They hope to get into the state tournament.  That could be a problem.

A bigger problem is what is going on with their favorite teacher, Miss Delaney.  She’s the pretty new teacher that is a favorite of the gang.  Bobby saw a mean looking man arguing with her.  Then Miss Delaney showed up with bruises on her face.

Bobby and the gang decide to investigate.  What they discover keeps them from going to adults.  It’s dangerous but Bobby and the team decide to help Miss Delaney.

+++++

I’m a huge Robert B. Parker fan.  His Spencer series influenced a generation of writers.  His Cole and Everett westerns were fun.  So when Parker decided to write young adult fiction, I decided to go along for the ride.  Kids should enjoy it even more.

Rating:

“Shutter Island” (2010) directed by Martin Scorsese; starring Leonard DiCaprio / Z-View

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Shutter Island (2010)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Laeta Kalogridis; based on SHUTTER ISLAND by Dennis Lehane

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Ted Levine, John Carroll Lynch, Elias Koteas, Robin Bartlett, Nellie Sciutto, Joseph Sikora, Curtiss Cook, Joseph McKenna and Jackie Earle Haley.

Tagline: Someone is missing.

The Plot…

1954.

US Marshall Edward “Teddy” Daniels (DiCaprio) is sent to the Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane.  Only the most violent and mentally ill patients are housed there.  The Ashecliffe Hospital sits on Shutter Island, located just outside of Boston Harbor.  The island rests high above sea level, with sheer cliffs on all sides. The only way in or out is through a number of secured gates attached to the only pier.

Just before departing for Shutter Island Marshall Daniels meets his new partner Officer Chuck Aule (Ruffalo).  Daniels and Aule arrive on Shutter Island just ahead of a hurricane that is rapidly approaching.  Daniels brings Aule up to speed.  They are there to find a missing patient named Rachel Solando.  Solando was there because she drowned her three children.  How she could have gotten off the island is a mystery.  The fact that she cannot be found on the small island seems impossible.  Daniels and Aule are there to resolve the case.

Daniels tells Aule that he asked for the case.  Daniels goes on to say that another of the insane criminals housed on Shutter Island is arsonist Andrew Laeddis.  One of Laeddis’ victims was Daniels wife who died in one of Laeddis’ fires.

As Daniels and Aule speak with the doctors and police officers on staff, Daniels begins to feel that things are not as they seem.  The patient interviews add to Daniels’ concerns.  When Daniels speaks to patient George Noyce privately, Noce informs him that the doctors are lying to him.  Noyce goes on to say that patients are subjected to horrible experiments.  Some are even lobotomized before they can speak out.

With this new knowledge, Daniels plans to leave the island and come back with support.  The only problem is the hurricane keeping all boats away.  Daniels and Officer Aule had been separated.  When Daniels asks about Aule, he is told that he had no partner.

Daniels realizes he’s trapped on the island and nothing is as it seemed. Daniels is outnumbered and outgunned. He’s got to find a way to survive and escape… from a place where escape is impossible.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Shutter Island is based on Dennis Lehane’s book of the same name.  Both the novel and the movie get my highest recommendation.

Shutter Island is an anagram for Truths and Lies.  As Daniels gets deeper and deeper into the mystery, the weather gets worse and the skies darker.  The storm passes and the skies clear, once the mystery is solved.  Unfortunately sunny skies may not mean a happy ending.

There are subtle clues throughout the movie as to what is actually going on.  I won’t give them away, because discovering them as you watch the film is part of the fun.  There’s even more enjoyment watching the film again and seeing how everything is right before our eyes.

Shutter Island (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Tarzan Triumphs” (1943) starring Johnny Weissmuller / Z-View

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Tarzan Triumphs (1943)

Director:  Wilhelm Thiele

Screenplay: Carroll Young, Roy Chanslor ; story by Carroll Young; based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Johnny Weissmuller, Frances Gifford, Johnny Sheffield, Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Philip Van Zandt,
Pedro de Cordoba, George Lynn and Cheetah.

Tagline: A new exciting beauty arouses Tarzan’s fighting heart…as ruthless killers from the sky invade his jungle kingdom on a rampage of murder and worse! You’ll see…NEW TARZAN THRILLS by the thousand!

The Plot…

World War II rages, but until now has not reached the jungles of Tarzan.

Until now.

A squad of Nazi paratroopers has taken over the the lost city of Palandrya.  The Nazis are using the citizens as slave labor to mine rare minerals.  When the Nazis kidnap Tarzan’s adopted son, Boy, Tarzan is drawn into the war.

“Ungawa!”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tarzan Triumphs was Johnny Weissmuller’s seventh outing as Tarzan.  Those films were made at MGM.  This movie came from RKO.  Along with Weissmuller, the studio got Johnny Sheffield (as Boy) and Cheetah.  Maureen O’Sullivan (who played Jane in the previous films) was under contract with MGM.  That’s why Jane is in England during this film.

World War II was still being fought when Tarzan Triumphs was made.  Sol Lesser, the executive producer of Tarzan Triumphs said it was suggested by the US State Department that having Tarzan fight Nazis would be a great morale builder.

If the fort where Tarzan and Boy are held captive looks familiar, it could be because it was the same set used in Gunga Din.

When it comes to killing Nazis even Boy, Cheeta and Boy’s pet elephant take part.

The final scene with Cheetah “talking” on the radio and Nazis in Germany thinking it is Hitler speaking is classic.

If you like Tarzan films of this era, Tarzan Triumphs is one of the better ones.

Tarzan Triumphs (1943) rates 4 of 5 stars.

A SINGLE SHOT by Matthew F. Jones / Z-View

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A SINGLE SHOT by Matthew F. Jones

First sentence…

Before the sun is up, John Moon has showered, drunk two cups of coffee, and changed into his blue jeans, sweatshirt and Timberland hiking boots.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

John Moon has lost a lot.  First it was the family farm.  Then his wife and child.  His work at the factory doesn’t pay enough.  Times are tough.

It’s not hunting season, but John decides to risk another poaching fine. John hikes deep into the woods.  He spots a big stag and takes a shot.  The wounded beast runs off.  John doesn’t want the buck to suffer and tracks it.  Deeper in the woods, John bends down to check the trail.  He hears movement and looks up to see a flash of brown and white.  John fires and hears the animal fall.

As John is walking to where the buck fell, he’s suddenly surprised by the wounded animal charging him.  He’s gored in the shoulder as he strikes the stag with his rifle.  The buck goes down and is soon out of its misery.  John is confused.  He thought he killed the buck with his second shot.

John pushed through the brush to where he heard the animal fall.  It was a young woman.  She’s dead.  Killed by John. John’s sick.  He broke the hunter’s code.  Be sure of what you’re shooting before you pull the trigger.  John considers his options.  Turning himself in won’t change anything for the girl.  It’ll destroy his family.  And put him in prison.  Why was she out here anyway?

John decides to bury her.  He looks around. Nearby is a small cave opening.  John decides that will be the girl’s final resting place.  As he checks it out, John discovers a metal box full of money.

John makes another decision.  It’s an easier one.  He takes the money.  Places the body in the cave.  Says a prayer.  Then does his best to remove any evidence he was there.  Finished, John hikes out.

 John is paranoid as the days pass.  Bad men have a way of finding what’s theirs.  And soon they will.

Rating:

Mike McKone “Gets Carter”

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I’ve been a Mike McKone fan since I first saw his art.  So when McKone offered a sketch option with the purchase of his sketchbook, it was a no-brainer.  I asked for Sly Stallone as Jack Carter or Dwight Manfredi.  Mike McKone decided to “Get Carter” and I couldn’t be happier.

Even without the original sketch option, Mike McKone’s sketchbook should be on every art lovers “to be purchased” list.  If you can get the sketch, don’t sleep on the deal.

“Background to Danger” (1943) directed by Raul Walsh; starring George Raft, Sydney Greenstreet & Peter Lorre / Z-View

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Background to Danger (1943)

Director:  Raoul Walsh

Screenplay: W.R. Burnett; based on UNCOMMON DANGER by Eric Ambler

Stars: George Raft, Brenda Marshall, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Osa Massen, Willard Robertson,
Kurt Katch and Turhan Bey.

Tagline: GEORGE RAFT Rougher and tougher than ever! FIGHTS THE FAT MAN SYDNEY GREENSTREET You can trust him as far as you can throw him!

The Plot…

1942.  World War II rages.  Because Turkey is neutral, the United States, Russia and Germany have embassies trying to sway the country.  Spies are everywhere.

Joe Barton (Raft) is traveling by train in Turkey when he meets a pretty woman.  Barton sees a man staring at the woman.  He asks if she needs help.  She asks Barton to hold some papers for her.  They will meet at her hotel once they arrive at their destination.  Barton agrees.

Barton is followed to his hotel.  In his room he is searched but the papers aren’t found.  Later, after he’s made sure he wasn’t tailed, Barton heads to the hotel where the woman is staying.  When he goes to her room, he discovers she’s been murdered.  Barton hides when another man enters the room.  As the man goes through the woman’s things, Barton escapes.  He’s followed by the man who entered behind him.

Barton realizes the papers are valuable.  But to which country?  Barton has been set-up as the woman’s murderer.  The authorities, Russian and German spies want the information in Barton’s possession.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In the source novel, the character George Raft plays was a salesman.  Raft demanded that his character be changed to an undercover FBI agent using the salesman job as a cover.

The last scene in this film shows an airplane taking off.  The scene was taken from Casablanca.  Interestingly enough, George Raft was offered the starring role in Casablanca, but turned it down.  It became one of Humphrey Bogart’s most popular roles and the film is considered a classic.

Background to Danger (1943) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“A Working Man” screenplay by Sylvester Stallone; directed by David Ayer; starring Jason Statham, David Harbour & Michael Peña – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Today we have the poster and trailer for A Working Man written by Sylvester Stallone, based on a character created by Chuck Dixon.  The film stars Jason Statham, David Harbour and Michael Peña.  The working title for the film was Levon Cade.

Deal me in.

Human Traffickers Beware.

Watch the trailer for #AWorkingMan, starring Jason Statham and from ‘The Beekeeper’ director David Ayer.

See the movie only in theaters March 28.

THE DRUMMER by Anthony Neil Smith / Z-View

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THE DRUMMER by Anthony Neil Smith

First sentence…

The bleach-blonde fancy boy stood in the doorway of this small bar at the edge of the French Quarter hoping to be recognized, but those days were long gone.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Fourteen years ago Cal Christopher disappeared.  Cal was the drummer of Savage Nights. The popular heavy metal band wasn’t top tier.  It was just below.  But outside the group’s inner circle, no one knew the in- fighting. Or that the band was facing bankruptcy.  Cal saw the writing on the wall.  He moved enough of his assets to live comfortably for life, burned down his mansion and vanished.

Cal moved to New Orleans.  He became Merle Johnson.

Merle is happy.  New Orleans is home.  All is good.  Then one day Merle is confronted by Todd Delacroix, the formed lead singer of Savage Nights.  Todd threatens to expose Cal if he doesn’t out himself.  Delacroix wants the group back together for a reunion tour.  A last chance to cash in on the group’s fame.

Merle has many reasons not to come back as Cal.  The IRS and the fact that he burned down his mansion are two.  Merle says he’ll consider and agrees to meet Delacroix later.  When Merle shows up at Delacroix’s hotel room he finds him unconscious, surrounded by empty booze bottles.  A suicide note outing Merle as Cal rests beside Delacroix.  Merle panics and makes two bad decisions.  One is taking the note…

Now the police, reporters, his former band mates and others are on Merle’s trail.

Rating:

“Killing Them Softly” (2008) written & directed by Andrew Dominik; starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn & James Gandolfini / Z-View

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Killing Them Softly (2008)

Director: Andrew Dominik

Screenplay: Andrew Dominik based on COOGAN’S TRADE by George V. Higgins

Stars: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Trevor Long, Max Casella, George Carroll, Linara Washington, Ross Brodar, Wade Allen, Christopher Berry, Dared Wright, Garret Dillahunt and Sam Shepard.

Tagline: In America you’re on your own.

The Plot…

Markie Trattman (Liotta) runs illegal poker nights for mobsters.  Trattman got the smart idea to rob his own game.  He hired two thugs to come in with guns and take down the cash only casino.  Although it worked, Trattman was suspected.  Since it was never confirmed that Tratman was behind the heist, he skated.  It took a while, but Trattman brought the poker nights back.

Johnny “Squirrel” Amato (Curatola) has the bright idea to follow Trattman’s lead.  Amato figures if the poker game is robbed, the mobsters will think Trattman decided to do it again.  They’ll bump off Trattman without looking too deeply.  Amato hires to low-life criminals to execute the robbery.  Against all odds they succeed.

Just like Amato thought, Trattman is the main suspect.  What Amato didn’t count on is the mobsters to bring in hitman and problem solver, Jackie Coogan (Pitt).  Coogan is ordered to find out who pulled off the heist and do what he does best.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killing Them Softly is perfectly cast.  Even the smaller parts have memorable actors.  Garret Dillahunt appears uncredited.

I enjoy this movie more with every re-watch.

Killing Them Softly (2008) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Best of 2024: FILMS / BOOKS / Posts

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As we start 2025, let’s take a look at the BEST OF 2024. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Television Series

In 2024, I watched 396 movies and tv series. That number is down 13 from last year. My favorite films and limited series released in 2024 included (in alpha order):

  • American Nightmare
  • Apollo 13: Survival
  • Arnold
  • Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons
  • Carry-On, The
  • Cross: Season 1
  • Fargo: Season 5
  • From Darkness to Light
  • Greatest Night in Pop, The
  • Interview with the Vampire: Season 2
  • Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (A)
  • Mr. McMahon
  • Reacher: Season 2
  • Rebel Ridge
  • Shogun
  • Stallone Family, The Season 2
  • Sugar: Season 1

Books

In 2024, I read 46 books (up 25 from last year) My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • A Seance for Wicked King Death by Coy Hall
  • Racing the Light by Robert Crais
  • Ways of the Wolfe, The by James Carlos Blake
  • There and Back by Eric Beetner
  • The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
  • The Amateurs by Marcus Sakey
  • Blood Grove by Walter Mosley
  • Scarecrow Returns by Matthew Reilly
  • The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
  • Bright Orange for the Shroud by John D. McDonald
  • Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2024 and some thoughts for each…

  • 10. SYFY’s 2023/2024 Twilight Zone New Year’s Eve Marathon Schedule is Up! -– Who doesn’t love the Twilight Zone?
  • 09. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – After two years in the 10th spot, it moves into 9th place.
  • 08. Dracula Through the Ages – Fell from the #3 spot last year.
  • 07. Steranko’s Concept Art for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” – New to the list!
  • 06. Philip Marlowe – Who Played Him Best? Ranking the Actors Who Played Him! – New to the list.
  • 05. “Arcadian” starring Nicholas Cage – The Poster and Trailer are Here! – New to the list.
  • 04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. – Same spot as last year (and the year before.)
  • 03. Batman – “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night” by Snoopy (Charles Schulz), Len Wein & Walt Simonson! – Came in at #3 for the first time on the list.
  • 02. New Evidence Points to Gary Francis Poste as The Zodiac Killer! – Jumped to the #2 spot in for the first appearance on the list.
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. – Returned to the #1 spot. It was #2 last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

  • 10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for three years in a row.
  • 09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – in the 9th spot for the last four years.
  • 08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.
  • 07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – No change.
  • 06. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – Moves down from 5th.
  • 05. Dracula Through the Ages – Moves up to the 5th spot.
  • 04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! – No change.
  • 03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!
  • 02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 for the last two years and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

BRIGHT ORANGE FOR THE SHROUD: A TRAVIS MCGEE NOVEL by John D. MacDonald / Z-View

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BRIGHT ORANGE FOR THE SHROUD: A TRAVIS MCGEE NOVEL by John D. MacDonald

First sentence…

Another season was ending.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Travis McGee is shocked when Arthur Wilkinson shows up unannounced.  Arthur is near death.

A year ago Arthur was on top of the world.  He was part of the Florida beach crowd partying the nights away.  Arthur wasn’t a playboy.  Most thought him odd.  But Arthur was a nice guy with a considerable inheritance.  That made Arthur the perfect target for Wilma Ferner.  She was a looker.  Soon enough Wilma and Arthur were married and moved away.

In less than a year Wilma had drained Arthur’s bank account.  She got Arthur to invest in what turned out to be a scam. Once the money was gone so was Wilma.

McGee plans to nurse Arthur back to health.  Then he’s going to find Wilma and her scam artists… and make them pay.

Rating: