In an email that looked surprisingly like a phishing attempt, I got the link to my proofs for the forthcoming collection on Cornell Woolrich. I get to jazz enthusiastically about Black Alibi, Leopard Man, Val Lewton and Ardel Wray so that’s fun. There’s not a whole lot of academic work on Woolrich (and some of…
Category: crime
Letty Lynton (1932)
LETTY LYNTON (1932) I am on something of a Marie Belloc-Lowndes kick somewhat unexpectedly, though I didn’t write up The Lodger (1944) which I watched recently because I thought I had seen it but I hadn’t. With Merle Oberon as the vivacious Kitty, George Sanders as the sleuthing Inspector Warwick and a swivel-eyed Laird Cregar…
Out Now: All Due Respect 2021
Out Now: the 2021 collection of stories from All Due Respect, which includes my tale ‘Squid Lord’ which — wait for it — was inspired by a song from The Fall. Of course. Links when it is available for sale. What’s the story about? A fellah who’s out of work, annoyed by his wife’s worship…
Coming Soon: All Due Respect 2021
Out February 18th: the 2021 collection of stories from All Due Respect, which includes my tale ‘Squid Lord’ which — wait for it — was inspired by a song from The Fall. Of course. Links when it is available for sale. What’s the story about? A fellah who’s out of work, annoyed by his wife’s…
Highsmith @ 100: Ripley
TOM RIPLEY: MASTER CRIMINAL? I know I have forgotten to keep up with posting the assignments for my students, but if you want to read along, here’s the intro text for this week: I’m always amazed at the back cover copy of different editions of this book. I’ve got this edition with me. It refers…
Highsmith @ 100: The Course
The fall semester begins today. My courses are still all online. I have changed the Crime Fiction course to be all Highsmith, because obviously being busy already means nothing. I’m resisting overloading them with biographical information at the start, instead planning to parcel it out as they make their own discoveries, though I gave them…
The Roots of Ripley @NoirBristol
Hop on over to Bristol Noir to read my latest musings on the mind behind Tom Ripley. I am working on a thing about Patricia Highsmith, with a little Burnt Orange Heresy in there as well. I was going to give a presentation at Captivating Criminality, but I think it will go to print instead. Possibly…
#Noirvember: Dorothy B. Hughes
In my unceasing efforts to get people to understand Dorothy Hughes as one of the godmothers of noir, I gave a presentation at the NEPCA Conference this past weekend on her early novel The Cross-Eyed Bear Murders. I actually have this lovely Dell Mystery edition with the map back (probably by Ruth Belew). Everything about this…
On the Road Again: Emerald Isle Edition
Off on travels again: first in Limerick where I will be part of a truly groovy event, Always Different, Always the Same: The Fall Symposium which includes a bunch of talks, an interview with ‘Funky’ Si Wolstencroft, author of You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide and with Imperial Wax before their concert in the…
Captivating Criminality 6
I am on the road again! Off to the east coast of Italy for Captivating Criminality 6. It should be a lot of fun. I’ve not been to that part of Italy and it looks like there’s a great range of presentations. I’ll be talking about the adaptations of Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley’s Game. Not sure…
K. A. Laity 