Back in Montreal, mom has been moved to a convalescent home where she will be undergoing geriatric physiotherapy to help her get back on her feet and mobile. The long-term goal is have her back home within a month. Best case scenario of course because if she's not fully mobile, there is o way she'll…
May 30, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with…Playback!
This episode aired March 2, 1975. This was actor Oskar Werner's sole television appearance. Peter Falk traveled to Switzerland to personally convince him to accept the role of Harold Van Wick. This is the only episode in which Columbo actually fires a gun. Peter Falk considered this episode one of his favorites. Actor Herbert Jefferson…
May 29, 2025: The Crime Writers’ Association shortlist nominees – my thoughts!
The Crime Writers' Association shortlist nominees were announced today and, having read most of the titles longlisted, I have some thoughts... The Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger 2 of my 4 favorites made the shortlist: Dogs & Wolves by Hervé Le Corre and Going to the Dogs by Pierre Lemaitre. The Simple Act of Killing…
May 28, 2025: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week... Deadpool/Wolverine #5 - cover art by Alex Ross The Infinity Watch #5 - cover art by Inhyuk Lee Ultimate Spider-Man #17 - cover art by Ivan Talavera Absolute Wonder Woman #8 - cover art by Sanford Greene Batman #`160 - cover art by Frank Quitely Green Lantern…
May 27, 2025: The Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award longlist – Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and Historical Dagger Categories! Plus my favorite 2024 that didn’t get longlisted!
The Crime Writers' Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award longlist titles. My favorites... Sanctuary by Garry Disher Master thief Grace is on the run and seeks refuge in a quaint rural antique shop run by mysterious Erin. But as Grace's past threatens to catch up with her, she'll come to discover that she's not the…
May 26, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with “Troubled Waters”!
This episode aired February 9, 1975 The episode was shot on an actual cruise ship, the Sun Princess, and cast and crew mingled with actual cruise ship passengers. In 2016, the ship was abandoned off the coast of Thailand where it sank. Direct Ben Gazzara recalled: “We sailed from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta, and…
May 25, 2025: Sharky Sunday!
Wake up! Out and About: Pointe Claire Village... Laugh therapy... Out and about: The Station Cafe... Out and about: Las Fincas... Back to Toronto... Sharky goes shopping...
May 24, 2025: The Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards longlist – Golden Dagger category!
The Crime Writers' Association Golden Dagger Award longlist titles. My favorites... Man of Bones by Ben Creed In 1953 Leningrad, militia detective Revol Rossel investigates a hit-and-run that claimed the lives of two people. Caught between the ruthless MGB secret police warning him off the case and his superior officer pressuring him to press ahead,…
May 23, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “By Dawn’s Early Light”!
Our Columbo rewatch continues with... "By Dawn's Early Light" This episode aired October 27, 1974 Peter Falk remarked on what made this episode vintage Columbo, referring to it as "‘the perfect balance between being both compelling and amusing’. The campus scenes were shot at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Patrick McGoohan won an Emmy…
May 22, 2025: The Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards longlist – Twisted category!
The Crime Writers' Association (@The_CWA) Twisted Dagger Award longlist titles. My favorites... The Stranger in Her House by John Marrs When handyman Paul begins to insinuate himself into the life of her widowed mother, Connie suspects he is up to no good. In time, she and Paul will clash, vying for the trust and affection…
May 21, 2025: The Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards longlist – Whodunit Category!
The Crime Writers' Association (@The_CWA) Whodunit Dagger Award longlist titles. My favorites... The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Ex CIA agent Maggie Bird's retirement is upended when a corpse is dumped on her driveway. With the help of some friends, all post-spook retirees, she endeavors to find out who left her the grisly message and…
May 20, 2025: The Crime Writers’s Association Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation longlist – my favorites!
When the Crime Writers' Association announced their longlist Dagger Award contenders, I decided I would read them all ahead of the May 29th shortlist announcement, figuring a mere 12 books was eminently doable. However, I soon realized that the 12 books I had set out to read represented only ONE of multiple Dagger Award categories.…
May 19, 2025: The Columbo rewatch continues with “Negative Reaction”!
Our Columbo rewatch continues with... "Negative Reaction" This episode aired October 15, 1974 Danny Kaye was considered for the role of Paul Galesko but Peter Falk shot down the idea. Peter Sellers was offered the role but he demanded $360,000 which was eighteen times more than the show had ever paid for a guest star.…
May 18, 2025: Sharky Sunday!
Meditations... "Mom! I love you!" Fly-catcher... Out and About with Sharky - Victor Rose! Rainbow poop! Sharing with Caramel... Living the good life...
May 17, 2025: Random Thoughts and Stargate Questions!
I'm more of a Sweden guy. Asked Grok "If Stargate: SG-1 was shot in the U.S. instead of Canada, which American actors would have likely been cast for the roles of Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson in late 1996?" Which American actors would you have cast alongside Richard Dean Anderson and Chris Judge? More Stargate…