reviews

The Splendor of Graphic Humanity Author: Colin Winnette The first time I read Coyote by Colin Winnette, I was in a salon having my hair colored. The second time, I was tucked on the couch with my dog. If and when you read Coyote, I recommend the latter rather than the former, unless you like flipping through intense (and oftentimes grotesque) facial expressions at warp speed in public spaces. I have never met Colin Winnette, but after randomly picking up and devouring his Spork Press book, Animal Collection, at AWP last year, I immediately gathered up everything else he’s had [...]

Bloody Good, Old Chap! Author: Alan Beechey Disclaimer: I am not British. Usually I don’t feel the need to disclose something that’s undoubtedly painfully obvious, but when reading an extremely British book like This Private Plot, it feels relevant. I’ve also not read the first two books in Alan Beechey’s Oliver Swithin Mysteries. The combination is making me feel terribly inadequate, yet I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the book. This Private Plot takes place in the small English village of Synne (yes, pronounced “sin”). Synne is mostly a tiny village in the middle of nowhere with no claims [...]

Hate Mail and Murder: The Fourth Miss Marple Mystery Author: Agatha Christie Jerry Burton and his sophisticated sister, Joanna, are temporarily settling into the sleepy village of Lymstock while Jerry recovers in bucolic bliss from his flight injury. Told by his doctor to recuperate by engaging in village life, Jerry soon gets more than he bargained for when mysterious hate mail begins to circulate among the village, accusing formerly pristine citizens of debauched sexual sins. When Jerry and Joanna get their own letter with implicit comments, they are both amused and a little offended. It seems that events will only [...]