Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Beneath the Amarillo Plains (Jeff Kale, Brain Damaged Detective) -- Henry Melton
How could I resist a book with a brain-damaged detective? I couldn't, that's all. And when there are storm sewers involved, as the cover clearly indicates, you know I'm in for the ride.I've read quite a few of Henry Melton's books and reviewed them here on the blog. All of them have been science-fiction. Not this one. It's a mystery novel, as the subtitle makes clear.
Jeff Kale is fine when the story begins. He's at a party with his friends, and even if he's not with the girl he wanted to be with, he at least has a pity date. When his best friend, Hank Fisher, asks him to leave with him for mysterious reasons, Jeff agrees, and his date isn't reluctant to be left behind. It's a good thing she didn't get in the car because someone runs Hank off the road, and the resulting accident isn't one of those that has no consequences for the main character. As the title of the book lets you know, he's seriously injured. His abilities to talk and comprehend are affected, and his rehab is painful and long. He doesn't recover even by the end of the novel.
It's not that Jeff's intelligence is affected, however, and when he finds out that his best friend's girlfriend has mysteriously disappeared and that the "accident" was no accident, he decides to investigate. He's helped out by the girl he took to the party, and what they discover is nothing like you might expect, and when a man is murdered, things get even more complicated.
Since Melton's a dedicated writer of series books, I have to wonder if this foray into the mystery field is the first of more stories about Jeff Kale. The mystery is effective, the character are real and interesting, and it's all put together in entertaining prose, so I hope we'll be seeing more of Kale.
Is George Kelly Starring?
I Can't believe they're filming this in Buffalo instead of Alvin, Texas.
"Sharknado" company shooting film in Buffalo: Alligators in Buffalo?
Being fought at Lafayette Square by citizens with guns, chain saws, axes, pitchforks and shovels?
It is all happening this morning as the production company behind last summer's Syfy channel hit "Sharknado" shoots some scenes for an upcoming movie with the working title of "Alligator Apocalypse."
"Sharknado" company shooting film in Buffalo: Alligators in Buffalo?
Being fought at Lafayette Square by citizens with guns, chain saws, axes, pitchforks and shovels?
It is all happening this morning as the production company behind last summer's Syfy channel hit "Sharknado" shoots some scenes for an upcoming movie with the working title of "Alligator Apocalypse."
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee
She's lovin' it! The shocking moment a crazed topless woman DESTROYS a McDonald's before pausing to enjoy an ice cream cone: 'This woman is my new role model,' jokes one employee.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Paris Hilton Update
Paris Hilton make-up free for shopping spree at Party City in Sherman Oaks
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
AbeBooks: Most Expensive Sales in March 2014
AbeBooks: Most Expensive Sales in March 2014: March's list of most expensive sales on AbeBooks reveals the importance of posters to lovers of art. A five-volume set of Les Maitres de L’Affiche (Masters of the Poster) sold for more than $40,000 last month and easily topped our list.
Overlooked Movies: Dead Calm
Charles Williams, one of my favorite Gold Medal writers, occasionally published in hardcover. He also knew a thing or two about sailing, and Dead Calm is a hardback suspense novel that lets him show off that knowledge. It's a good story, and Orson Welles planned to film it. Like others of his projects, this one never got done. It would've been interesting to see his take on it, but instead we get a version by Philip Noyce. It's a dandy little movie, but it's not a lot like the book, aside from the basics of the situation.What are the basics? A man and his wife (Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman) are sailing far from the peaceful shore when they come across a boat that's sinking. There's one man (Billy Zane) aboard, and he comes over to their boat to tell them that everyone on his boat has died of food poisoning. Neill goes over to check, and Zane, being a bit of a nutter who's killed everyone else on the boat, sails away with Nicole.
After that, it's just one thing after another as Nicole tries to escape, Neill tries to keep the sinking boat he's on afloat, and Zane tries to keep Nicole from going back to rescue her husband. There's an annoying dog (HUGE SPOILER ALERT: People sensitive to animal deaths should avoid this movie. END OF HUGE SPOILER ALERT) who causes problems, too. There's a good bit of suspense, a good bit of stupidity on the parts of the characters, and (HUGE SPOILER ALERT) a villain who's not easy to kill (END OF HUGE SPOILER ALERT). Kidman, Neill, and Zane are all very good, and there's some great ocean scenery. If you haven't seen it, give it a try.
Monday, April 07, 2014
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
Woman Complains To Police About Marijuana Quality: Lufkin police Sgt. David Casper said Monday that an officer went to the home of 37-year-old Evelyn Hamilton to hear her complaint that the dealer refused to return her money after she objected that the drug was substandard.
Free for Kindle For a Limited Time
Amazon.com: A DEAD RED HEART (The Dead Red Mystery series) eBook: RP Dahlke: Kindle Store: What would you do if the love of your life lost their chance at a heart transplant because the donor organ went to a convicted felon? Grieve and let go--or wait until the convict is released and then hunt him down and make him pay?
Lalla Bains certainly doesn't need any more distractions during the simmering summers in the San Joaquin Valley of California; her tight-wad, widowed father is now a born-again lady's man, a disreputable crop-dusting competitor threatens her business, and last but not least, she worries whether the sultry redhead in the local police department is taking more than a professional interest in her honey, Sheriff Caleb Stone.
But when a homeless vet is stabbed and dies at her feet, Lalla Bains, being the exasperating, pushy, tenacious gal she is, Lalla believes the dead man deserves a better homicide investigation than what he's getting.
Peaches Geldof, R. I. P.
Mail Online: Peaches Geldof, 25, found dead today at her home in Wrotham, Kent
Kent Police called to house at 1.35pm today, said death was 'sudden' and 'unexplained'
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Jeff Meyerson Will Come Close to 100%
But like he, he'll be insulted that Road House is included. (Judy is insulted that Ishtar is included.) How Many Bad Movies Have You Seen
Joe "Speedo" Frazier, R. I. P.
The Impalas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The Impalas were an American doo-wop group in the late 1950s, best known for their hit, "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)".
The group formed in 1958 in Brooklyn, New York, and was composed of lead singer Joe "Speedo" Frazier (born September 5, 1943), Richard Wagner, Lenny Renda, and Tony Carlucci. . . . Joe "Speedo" Frazier died on April 2, 2014.
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Mickey Rooney, R. I. P.
NPR: Mickey Rooney, the pint-size, precocious actor and all-around talent whose more than 90-year career spanned silent comedies, Shakespeare, Judy Garland musicals, Andy Hardy stardom, television and the Broadway theater, died Sunday at age 93.
Sunday, April 06, 2014
And Keep Off His Lawn!
Thief learns the hard way that 72-year-old man is no easy target: 'There's nobody gonna have their hand in my pocket without me reacting': Thief learns the hard way that man, 72, is no easy target after he gets beaten with his CANE
John Pinette, R. I. P.
John Pinette Dead: 'Seinfeld' Actor Dies At 50: John Pinette was found dead on April 6. The comedian was discovered in his Pittsburgh hotel room around 2:30 p.m., according to the Allegheny County medical examiner's office.
I Want to Believe!
New Yowie Footage From Australia: The footage, taken by a tree cam last February, allegedly shows what the J & J Yowie Search believe to be a “young Yowie”, also known as the Australian Bigfoot.
Peter Matthiessen, R. I. P.
The Raw Story: Globetrotting US naturalist and writer Peter Matthiessen, known for books such as “At Play in the Fields of the Lord,” has died at his New York state home, his publisher said. He was 86.
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Uh-Oh
The Interrobang: An adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s sci-fi classic 12 Monkeys is headed to the Syfy network next year. The show will star starring Aaron Stanford in Bruce Willis’s role. Amanda Schull, Noah Bean and Kirk Acevedo have also been cast.
Free for Kindle For a Limited Time
Amazon.com: The Year I Died Seven Times Book #3 eBook: Eric Beetner: Kindle Store: Dying twice hasn’t deterred Ridley from finding the love of his life. The mystery deepens and the action increases as Ridley enlists the help of old buddy CJ for a return trip to New York. There, he’ll encounter vicious gun dealers, some familiar faces (not in a good way) and an old friend who may be able to help find Miho. This time he’s walking straight into the Lion’s den in search of answers. Death awaits, but that’s just the kind of year Ridley’s having.
Get caught up with books 1 & 2 and be on the lookout for book #4 in June.
I Miss the Old Days
Chicks Dig Accordions! Vintage Vinyl and Squeezebox Groupies
Some album covers might not be safe for work.
Some album covers might not be safe for work.
Friday, April 04, 2014
Arthur Smith, R. I. P.
WBTV: Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith has passed away at the age of 93, sources tell WBTV.
The South Carolina native was a bluegrass legend. In 1955, Smith wrote what he called 'Feuding Banjos.'
It would later be known as 'Dueling Banjos' and was played during a memorable scene in the movie "Deliverance" in 1972.
The South Carolina native was a bluegrass legend. In 1955, Smith wrote what he called 'Feuding Banjos.'
It would later be known as 'Dueling Banjos' and was played during a memorable scene in the movie "Deliverance" in 1972.
Croc Update (Amorous Frogs Edition)
Amorous frogs blissfully unaware of voyeuristic croc behind them miraculously survive encounter as he decides against chomping them at last minute
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Great photo at the link.
And, yes, Amorous Frogs WBAGNFARB
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Great photo at the link.
And, yes, Amorous Frogs WBAGNFARB
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee
Dispute Over Guy Leads to Rat Retaliation: Investigators said an ongoing dispute over a man escalated late Wednesday, when a woman in her 20s, her mother and a pack of eight or nine other women went to the victim's house with a baseball bat and a box containing an unknown number of white rats.
Jeff Meyerson saw Rat Retaliation open for Moby Grape in 1968.
Jeff Meyerson saw Rat Retaliation open for Moby Grape in 1968.
FFB: A Candle for the Dead -- Hugh Marlowe
Some of you will understand perfectly when I say that I remember quite well pulling this book off the shelf at a little used-book store in Abilene, Texas, back in the early '70s. I must have known at the time that Hugh Marlowe was in reality Jack Higgins/Harry Patterson/James Graham, or else the memory wouldn't have stuck with me. Sean Rogan is in prison for his political crimes, but he was a hero in WWII, having saved the life of Inspector Vangbrugh, now of Scotland Yard. Rogan escapes from prison and agrees to help out the IRA one more time, but only because of the pleading of Colum O'More, who's dying of cancer. The help involves pulling off a Big Caper, and much of the book goes into the planning and execution of the caper. Besides Rogan, a corrupt cop, a couple of hardened criminals, an alcoholic accomplice, a scheming solicitor, and a beautiful woman are involved.
You might know where the plot's headed, but there are crosses and double-crosses along the way, along with a nice surprise or two. Marlowe's descriptions of weather and landscape are as spare and poetic as ever, and the book is an entertaining way to spend an evening.
One thing needs to be said. Many of you know Lachman's Law, which states, "Never buy a book with a swastika on the cover." This one's different, however, as the only Nazis involved are mentioned briefly in flashbacks to WWII. So although there's a swastika on the cover and this book was published at the height of the swastika-on-the-cover phase, the image has nothing to do with the contents.
Thursday, April 03, 2014
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