Category: Authors

“The Eternaut”: Season 1 (2025) created, co-written & directed by Bruno Stagnaro; based on “The Eternaut” by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López / Z-View

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The Eternaut: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Bruno Stagnaro, based on The Eternaut by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López

Director:  Bruno Stagnaro

Teleplay by: Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Gabriel Stagnaro (Eps. 1-2, 6), Bruno Stagnaro and Ariel Staltari (Eps. 3, 5),  Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Martín Wain (Ep. 4)

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Carla Peterson, César Troncoso, Andrea Pietra.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

One summer evening snow begins to fall.  Juan Salvo and some friends move to the window to check it out.  They’re shocked to see anyone outside suddenly drop dead as the snow touches them.  The snow falls though the night.  Juan rigs together a suit with gas mask so that he can venture out to search for his daughter.

As the days go on, it becomes clear that few have survived.  Many of those who did are just as dangerous as the snow.  Then they learn about the arriving aliens.   Juan and his friends will need to band together in order to live.

Thoughts 

The Eternaut is an Argentine television series created by Bruno Stagnaro.  It is based on the comic strip The Eternaut created by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López.  The strip ran from 1957 through 1959.  In 1977, Héctor Germán Oesterheld, along with his four daughters were taken into custody by Argentina’s last military dictatorship. Oesterheld’s writings against the military junta made him a target.  He and his daughters were never seen in public again.

I liked the pacing of season one.

Bring on season 2!

 

The RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins is Coming!

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Dashiell Hammet’s THE MALTESE FALCON is not only a classic noir novel, but also the same could be said for the 1941 John Huston (writer/director) movie adaptation.  On January 6, 2026, Max Allan Collins and Hard Case Crime present RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON.  Here’s the lowdown…

Hardboiled noir that picks up where legendary author Dashiell Hammett left off, telling the story of iconic private eye Sam Spade and the quest for the priceless Maltese Falcon.

THE GREATEST PRIVATE EYE OF ALL TIME RETURNS TO FINISH THE JOB

Legendary mystery writer Dashiell Hammett only wrote one novel about detective Sam Spade: THE MALTESE FALCON, the most famous private eye story ever told. But the case was never really solved – the priceless golden, bejeweled bird that men and women had been dying to possess turned out to be a fake.

Now, Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Max Allan Collins (author of ROAD TO PERDITION) brings closure to this crime classic, reuniting all the surviving members of the original cast alongside femme fatales, crooked collectors, and greedy gangsters for one more thrilling, deadly chase through the streets, wharves, morgues, bars, and back alleys of 1920s San Francisco – and finally answers the question, Whatever became of the Maltese falcon…?

Pre-orders are available now.

THE ESSENTIAL HORROR by Joe R. Lansdale is Coming!

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Any time Joe R. Lansdale has a new book out, it is cause to celebrate.  Get the streamers ready!  On October 7, 2025, THE ESSENTIAL HORROR drops.  Here’s the lowdown…

Joe R. Lansdale is known for his gritty mysteries (the Hap and Leonard series) and his eccentric horror (Bubba Ho-tep), for which he has won ten Bram Stoker Awards. He is also cited by many of horror’s most acclaimed writers as a huge influence upon them: Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Gabino Iglesias, Brian Keene, and Joe Hill, who contributes an original introduction to this collection.

Lansdale’s horror stories mash up crime, Southern Gothic, fantasy, and science fiction, filtered through a raw, violent world of dark humor and unique characters. He was one of the first horror writers to portray American racism not as abstract or impersonal, but as realistic, intimate, in-your-face, and impossible to ignore.

In Lansdale’s nightmarish visions, discover psychotic demon nuns, a god fueled by hatred, a psychopathic preacher, a weed-eater wielding blind man, cannibals, 80-year-old Elvis, undead strippers, flying ghost fish, elder gods, possessed cars, and the worst evil of all: man.

Preorders are available now.

“I Married a Monster from Outer Space” (1958) starring Gloria Talbott and Tom Tryon / Z-View

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I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)

Director: Gene Fowler Jr.

Screenplay: Louis Vittes

Stars: Tom Tryon, Gloria Talbott, Peter Baldwin, Robert Ivers, Valerie Allen, Ty Hardin, Ken Lynch, John Eldredge, Alan Dexter, James Anderson, Jean Carson, Steve London and Maxie Rosenbloom.

Tagline: Is it possible? Is it true? Can humans mate with MONSTERS?

The Plot…

Marge Farrell (Talbott), a newlywed bride, begins to suspect that something is strange about her husband, Bill (Tryon).  He’s become distant, cold even.  Tom loved dogs and now any dog that comes near him begins to growl and bark.  Things that Tom should know, he has forgotten.

Then Marge begins to notice changes in other men in Tom’s social circle.  Marge follows Tom one night and discovers an alien has taken Tom’s identity.  Marge realizes that aliens are planning a takeover.  But who will believe her before it is too late?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John P. Fulton who did the special effects for I Married a Monster from Outer Space was well known and respected for his work.  Over the course of his career, Mr. Fulton was nominated for 8 Academy Awards for Special Effects and won three.

Tom Tryon retired from acting in 1969 and began a writing career.  He is best known for his novel THE OTHER.  Mr. Tryon wrote the screenplay for the feature film adaptation.

I’m surprised I Married a Monster from Outer Space isn’t as popular as other horror pictures of the era.  It is definitely an underrated gem.  Perhaps the title hurts the film from being given a chance.

I Married a Monster from Outer Space and the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers makes a great double feature!

I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars

JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS VOLUME ONE by Jonathan Maberry / Z-View

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JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS VOLUME ONE by Jonathan Maberry

First sentence…

For the record, I don’t believe in this stuff.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Joe Ledger is an ex-Army Ranger and ex-Baltimore police detective.  Ledger was recruited and is now an agent for the United States’ several-levels-above-top-secret Department of Military Sciences.  This organization deals with threats not only to the US, but the world.  Most of their missions involve stopping terrorists using advanced technology to create bio-weapons.  Some of Ledger’s assignments have ventured into the realm of the supernatural… and while Ledger might not believe in that “stuff” — his team has to deal with it.

JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS VOLUME ONE features six tales.  Five by Maberry and one (Mantis) by Maberry and Marie Whittaker.

  • A Footnote in the Black Budget – In a relatively small area in Antarctica the US, Russia and China have research facilities.  Less than 24 hours ago, the Russian and Chinese operations went dark.  Now communication with the US facility is dead.  Ledger, First Sergeant Bradley “Top” “Sgt. Rock” Sims and Master Sergeant Harvey “Bunny” Rabbit are sent in to investigate.  These are three of our best DMS soldiers.  They may not be enough.
  • A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight – In a small western Pennsylvania town (if you know, you know) Lucifer 113 was unleashed.  Lucifer 113 was a doomsday bioweapon. Near 100% infection rate, near 100% mortality rate. To be used only as a last resort.  If defeat was inevitable, release Lucifer 113.  And some terrorist has released it.
  • Alive Day – Ledger, Top and Bunny are sent on an off-the-books rescue mission for four members of Rattlesnake team.  Taliban warriors will be the least of their worries.  Haunted caves? Visions? What did happen to Rattlesnake team?
  • Wet Works: A V-Wars Story – Ledger and a doctor are barricaded in a room.  Ledger has used all his ammo.  Dead bodies litter the floor.  With only a knife to protect them, Ledger knows it won’t be enough.  The vampires (no, they don’t turn in to bats, or fly, but they ARE vampires) are waiting for reinforcements.  They will then bust through and kill Ledger and the doc.  Ledger will go down fighting, but he knows there are too many…
  • Mantis: A Rouge Team International / Arklight Adventure – An international child trafficking organization, a well-disguised well-trained vigilante, and Violin, one of Arklight’s most dangerous assassins — with Ledger smack dab in the middle.  What could go wrong?
  • Atoll – “Something has crashed on an island south of Hawaii.”  Ledger’s team is tapped to investigate.  When he asks why a closer squad out of Honolulu isn’t being sent, he’s told, “It was… we’ve lost contact with them.”  UFOs, time travel — more stuff Ledger probably doesn’t believe in.  At least at the start of the mission.

If you’ve never read any of the Joe Ledger novels, this is a good jumping on point.  You’ll get a nice taste of the kind of tales that feature Ledger along with some crossovers from other characters/situations in the Maberry universe.  Regular readers will love visits to the worlds of V-WARS, Pine Deep, Sam Hunter Case Files, Dead of Night, and Rot & Ruin.  Look for characters such Mr. Church, Echo Team, Havoc Team, Malcolm Crow, Mike Sweeney, Violin, Toys and others.

Jonathan Maberry has another winner!  I love the Joe Ledger tales.

Rating:

“Sin City” (2005) directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller; starring Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba & Benico Del Toro / Z-View

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Sin City (2005)

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller based on Sin City created by Frank Miller

Screenplay: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe, Jude Ciccolella, Jeff Dashnaw, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Elijah Wood, Carla Gugino, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Greg Ingram, Nicky Katt, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Frank Miller, Brittany Murphy, Nick Stahl, Nick Offerman, Jason Douglas, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rick Gomez and Tommy Flanagan.

Tagline: Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.

The Plot…

Four interconnected tales from Sin City…

The Customer is Always Right… A hitman that marks don’t see coming until it is too late. (Bookends the movie.)

That Yellow Bastard… For Detective John Hartigan (Willis) it’s his last day on the job.  He’s thinking about the thick steak his wife has waiting for him at the end of his shift.  But first, Hartigan is going to have a run-in with a serial killer who preys on children. Hartigan learns that the sick bastard is the son of a Senator, and is now prepping his next victim.  Hartigan knows this can only end one way.  He’ll save the child or die trying.

The Hard Goodbye… Marv (Rourke) is a ex-con hardcase.  Last night he had a one night stand with a goddess named Goldie.  She was beautiful beyond belief.  Marv wonders why she picked a big scary mug like him when she could have any man she wanted.  He’ll have to work it out later.  He just woke up.  Goldie is in bed beside him.  Dead.  Someone snuck in and murdered her while they were sleeping.  And now Marv hears cops coming up the stairs.  Someone set him up.  Someone killed Goldie.  Marv knows once he finds the killer the hell he sends the murderer to will seem like heaven after what Marv does to him.  But first the cops outside his door…

The Big Fat Kill… When Shellie’s ex-boyfriend, Jackie Boy (Del Toro) shows up unexpectedly with his crew, he’s surprised to find Shellie’s new boyfriend, Dwight (Owen) there.  The events that follow will lead to a potential turf war… unless Dwight and some of his friends from Old Town can set things right.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sin City, the movie, is what Robert Rodriguez called a “translation” of three of Frank Miller’s Sin City graphic novels – The Hard Goodbye; The Big Fat Kill, That Yellow Bastard and Miller’s Sin City short, The Customer is Always Right.  They are some of my all time favorite comics and the movie is a beautiful “translation”.

Quentin Tarantino is listed as a guest director.  Tarantino directed the scene between Dwight and Jackie Boy before the cop pulls the car over.

Rodriguez filmed the opening “intro” before Miller agreed to the Sin City “translation”.  Rodriguez wanted to prove that Miller’s Sin City tales could work as a movie that complemented the comics.  The comic panels from each tale were used as storyboards.

Robert Rodriguez working with Frank Miller to bring Sin City to the big screen was a dream project for me.  Magnificent casting was the icing on the cake.  If you like the comics, you should enjoy the movie.

Sin City (2005) rates 5 of 5 stars.

KING OF THE HUSTLERS by Eugene Izzi / Z-View

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KING OF THE HUSTLERS by Eugene Izzi

First sentence…

With a release date only three days away Edgew Plumber was on his best behavior.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Things are looking up for Tone Nello.  After a lifetime of small scores, Nello’s life as a hustler could be over.  Nello’s met a woman who just might be the one.  He’s got a chance at a job that’s high risk but would set him up for life.  Nello’s best friend and crime partner, Bobby Bebbo is on-board with the robbery.

What could go wrong?

Psycho Pete “Panther” Payne is still looking to get payback for the beating Nello handed him a few days ago. Edgew Plumber, fresh out of prison needs to make it known that he’s back.  Turning Pather Payne loose could be the ticket.  Plus, Nello’s new woman — there’s more to her than he knows.  And if that isn’t enough, the closer to the job, the stranger Bebbo is acting.

Tone Nello is the “King of the Hustlers” but this time out, he may be the one getting hustled.

+++++

Eugene Izzi is back with another winner.  Izzi was on his way to being a big name crime writer, when he died under strange circumstances.

Rating:

SKULL FULL by Anthony Neil Smith / Z-View

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SKULL FULL by Anthony Neil Smith

First sentence…

Cubby sat at the picnic table in the park like always, counting the mosquitos on his arm.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Anthony Neil Smith presents fourteen short stories that are, as he says are “about f*****-up families, f*****-up relationships, f*****-up crimes, and f*****-up f*****ness, and are adorably twisted around a darkly humorous core.”  (And trust me, he doesn’t say “f*****, he says the actual word.  If that offends you, turn back now. )

The tales include…

Cubby – Cubby thought being special was good.  Of course he thought his friends were his friends.  A sad tale of a boy waiting for his mother.

Twenty-Eleven Nissan Something – Rhonda thought her luck was changing.  Her new man didn’t hit her.  Didn’t treat her bad.  He even liked her kids.  Rhonda knew what her man wasn’t.  She didn’t know what he was.

Exit Row Savior – When you fly as much as I do, you know things.  You know that if things go sideways, you want a man who can handle things by the exit.  I’m your guy.

Money on the Table and a Pistol on the Floor – Randy had a weakness.  Wasn’t drugs or gambling.  Nope.  It was women. Randy had three ex-wives and had lost more jobs than you could easily count.  The reason?  Women.  Take his last job for instance.  Fired from Lowe’s for having sex with a nineteen year old while he was on the clock.  She was fired too.  Now she thinks they’re a, well if not a couple, at least a team.  She has a plan for some quick cash.  All it will take his her, Randy and his pistol.

Roadrage – Why is everyone screwing with me.  I’m driving and everyone is trying me.  Well, I have a way to end that.

The Blind Girl – Everyone is a target. Being a sophomore in high school ain’t for the faint-hearted.  Everyone is a target.  Find your group and blend in.  That won’t protect you for sure, but it helps.  Everyone is a target.  Well, almost everyone.  Mess with the wrong person and you might find out.

A Skull Full of Solyanka – I’m getting forgetful.  That could be dangerous in my line of work.

Lady Icarus, Nazi – I’m rich.  And can get you anything you want.  You better believe that.

Must Be Wanderlust – Fay, her pistol and a singer/songwriter.

Sundays in the Workshop with Dad – Chet loved his time in the workshop.  He recognized his son, Jerimiah’s raw talent when the boy was young.  So Chet did what any good dad would do.  He had patience and put in the time so Jerimiah would be come a true craftsman.

Used Panties – Give the people what they want.

Piece of Shit Guitar – A semi-famous, good-for-nothing musician reminisces as he waits for his son to arrive.

+++++

Anthony Neil Smith wasn’t kidding when he described SKULL FULL.  He creates tales that will stick with you.  If you’re all about happy endings, this isn’t for you.  But if you like crime stories that surprise, entertain, and take you to places you’d never want to enter in real life… give it a go.

My favorite stories in this collection are: Twenty-Eleven Nissan Something; Roadrage; Lady Icarus, Nazi; Sundays in the Workshop with Dad and Piece of Shit Guitar.  

Rating:

“The Gorge” (2025) written by Zach Dean; directed by Scott Derrickson; starring Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy and Sigourney Weaver / Z-View

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The Gorge (2025)

Director:  Scott Derrickson

Screenplay: Zach Dean

Stars: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver, William Houston, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Julianna Kurokawa, Samantha Coughlan, Alessandro Garcia and Ruta Gedmintas.

Tagline: They’re not keeping you out. They’re keeping them in.

The Plot…

Levi Kane (Teller), a retired Marine Sniper is hired for a mysterious job that will last one year.  Kane is taken to an undisclosed location where he receives his orders.

His mission is to guard one side of a deep gorge.  Automated weapons line the rim of the gorge.  Mines are strung along the walls of the chasm.  Kane will be housed in a tower with equipment to oversea everything.  He will have no contact with the outside world except for monthly radio check ins with his employers.  A Russian operative is one the other side of the gorge with the same mission.  Kane is to have no contact with her.

When Kane asked who they are keeping out of the gorge, he is told, “You’re not keeping anyone out, you’re keeping the creatures that live in there from coming out.”

As the weeks pass, the Russian operative, Drasa (Taylor-Joy) begins communicating with Kane.  Short messages turn into conversations, long-distance chess matches and more.  A friendship develops.

When things go sidesways Kane and Drasa can depend only on each other to survive the hellish creatures from the gorge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy have the chemistry needed to make their on-screen relationship work.

Sigourney Weaver was an excellent choice for the role of the corporate boss.

Kudos to writer Zack Dean for creating an action-horror-romance that is original and works.  Hats off also to director Scott Derrickson and the team that made the world in the gorge feel like something from one of Dante’s rings of Hell.

Don’t sleep on The Gorge.

The Gorge (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

SWITCHBLADE SVENGALI by Coy Hall / Z-View

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SWITCHBLADE SVENGALI by Coy Hall

First sentence…

The vamp drained me, but I couldn’t withdraw from the conversation.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

It’s been over a decade since Royce Pembrook was lured back into a world he’d left behind.  When Anna Vogel, his old crime partner, showed up needing help, Royce didn’t hesitate.

And he was nearly killed for his kindness.

But Royce Pembrook survived.  He moved to a new city.  Changed his name.  And went back to doing what he loved and did better than almost anyone.  Royce’s demeanor put folks at ease.  He was great at reading people.  With those two skills and a few others, holding séances was a breeze.  Royce couldn’t really communicate with the dead.  But his patrons didn’t know that. They always left feeling better.  Word spread and the money came easy.

Royce built up a regular clientele.  He was smart.  Royce didn’t bleed them dry.  He provided a service that they could afford.  No one was ever dissatisfied.  Two of Royce’s best patrons were a couple of old sisters.  Their brother didn’t care for Royce.  He liked his sisters’ relationship with Royce even less.  The brother didn’t believe there was a real friendship there.  Royce realized this guy could be a problem.

Then a real problem showed up.  Someone from Royce’s past had found him.  She knew Royce had changed his name.  She didn’t just want to destroy Royce’s connections with his rich patrons.  No, she wanted Royce exposed for a fraud… and then she wanted him dead.

+++++

This is Coy Hall’s second Royce Pembrook tale.  If Royce survives this one, I’d love to see more. (Yeah, I know if he does, but I’m not ruining it for those who haven’t read the story yet.)

Coy Hall is an excellent writer who isn’t afraid to create “lead” characters who are flawed.

Rating:

THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno / Z-View

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THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno

First sentence…

The Engineer’s bodyguard gave Frank Thorpe the jitters.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frank Thorpe was an operative for the shop.  But three months ago a job went sideways.  Their target, known as The Engineer, got the best of them.  Good people died.  The shop needed a scapegoat, so Frank got the boot.

Frank decides to get away and clear his head.  Traveling through the airport, Frank is jostled by an arrogant business man as he pushes past.  Frank almost starts after the jerk, but catches himself.  In his current mood, Frank knows he’d take it too far. Frank watches as the self-absorbed jerk pushes his way through the crowd.  A young boy who obviously needs money is selling candy and gum from a tray he’s holding. The boy says something to the hotshot.  The man, without breaking stride swings his crocodile briefcase, knocking the boy’s tray to the ground and striking the kid in the head.

As the jerk strides off, Frank moves to the kid.  Frank makes sure the boy is okay and then heads off to confront Mr. Big Shot.  Frank gets outside in time to see the man get into a Porsche driven by a beautiful blonde.  Frank decides Mr. Entitled needs a wake-up.  Nothing too extreme.  Just enough to get his attention.

Using skills from his past, Frank easily learns the man is an art dealer.  It’ll be a breeze to teach this cat a lesson.  Unfortunately, Frank’s plan unleashes an unexpected response.  Soon a laid back creator of designer drugs and his psychopathic wife are involved.  Frank’s wake-up puts him in line for a payback.  Vlad (a Romanian Frankenstein if there ever was one) and Arturo are hired killers working for the crazy wife.

Frank’s expertise will be put to the ultimate test.  And that’s before The Engineer returns for another round.

+++++

Robert Ferrigno has created another winner.

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.

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:

RIP: David Lynch

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It was announced that David Lynch died today, at the age of 78.  Mr. Lynch had announced last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema.

After graduating high school, David Lynch decided to study painting.  He studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C., the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  It was at the Pennsylvania Academy where Mr. Lynch made his first short film.  The film was well received and led Mr. Lynch to create other shorts.

A grant from the American Film Institute financed Mr. Lynch’s short, The Grandmother.  David Lynch then moved to LA to begin studying filmmaking at the AFI Conservatory.  While there Mr. Lynch received a $10,000 grant from the AFI to create Eraserhead.  David Lynch raised the additional money required to complete filming through a loan from his father and money he saved by delivering The Wall Street Journal.  After the success of Eraserhead, Mr. Lynch went on to direct Elephant Man.  At that point, Mr. Lynch was well on his way to a long career as a director, writer and producer.  In addition to his television and feature film directing, Mr. Lynch as continued to create shorts, music videos, write and occasionally act.

David Lynch was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Director, once for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and won an Honorary Academy Award

  • 1981 Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for The Elephant Man, Shared with: Christopher De Vore · Eric Bergren
  • 1981 Nominee – Best Director for The Elephant Man
  • 1987 Nominee – Best Director for Blue Velvet
  • 2002 Nominee – Best Director for Mulholland Drive

Television projects that feature David Lynch include: Twin Peaks (6 episodes); On the Air; Hotel Room (2 episodes) and Muholland Drive (2001).

Feature films that David Lynch directed in include: Eraserhead; The Elephant Man; Dune; Blue Velvet; Twin Peaks; Wild at Heart; Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me; Lost Highway; The Straight Story; Mulholland Drive (1999) and Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces.

I first heard of David Lynch with his movie Eraserhead.  My favorite David Lynch film is The Elephant Man.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to David Lynch’s family, friends and fans.

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.