The Man Who Read Mysteries, The Short Fiction of William Brittian by William Brittian, Crippen & Landru 2018 short story collection
This light, easy, set of short stories by Brittan, which appeared in Ellery Queen’s Magazine over a span of decades will entertain readers interested in clever plot points.
The book is divided into two parts, The “Man Who Read” stories, and the author’s Mr. Strang stories.
contents:
- Introduction: The Best of Britten
The Man Who Read stories:
- “The Man Who Read John Dickson Carr”
- “The Man Who Read Ellery Queen”
- “The Man Who Didn’t Read”
- “The Woman Who Read Rex Stout”
- “The Boy Who Read Agatha Christie”
- “The Man Who Read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle”
- “The Man Who Read G.K. Chesterton”
- “The Man Who Read Dashiell Hammett”
- “The Girl Who Read John Creasey”
- “The Men Who Read Isaac Asimov”
The Mr. Strang stories:
- “Mr. Strang Gives A Lecture”
- “Mr. Strang Performs An Experiment”
- “Mr. Strang Takes A Field Trip”
- “Mr. Strang Versus The Snowman”
- “Mr. Strang, Armchair Detective”
- “Mr. Strang Interprets A Picture”
- “Mr. Strange Takes A Tour”
What have you been reading?
Tip the Wink 
This book of short stories looks like something I would enjoy. I have liked a lot of the Crippen & Landru short story anthologies. I will have to check my local bookstore and see if they have it. If I have to pay full price, I might as well give the money to them.
My reading has slowed down, or at least I haven’t finished any books since last week. Still reading EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE by Peter May. Also reading THE TEARS OF AUTUMN by Charles McCarry. I don’t usually read two books at once.
This is pretty lightweight, Tracy, not sure it’s worth full price. I got it at a discount due to a publisher’s mistake. I try to read only one book at a time, but occasionally will read both a short story collection and a novel concurrently.
Haven’t been reading a lot lately. Just finished a book about the movie The Wild Bunch. Now reading The Reckoning bu Yrsa Sigurdardottir.
As I said elsewhere, that Wild Bunch book sounds interesting.
Fog from the post-op drugs makes reading impossible right now. I am listening to audiobooks and watching Netflix. I should be back to reading by the end of this week.
They must really have you drugged up. I wasn’t out of it this long after prostate surgery. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
As you know, I’ve read this as well as EVERY other Crippen & Landru book. While I certainly wouldn’t rave about it, I did enjoy it a lot, especially what he did with the “Man Who” stories.
I did read three books this week: SIX MONTHS, THREE DAYS, FIVE OTHERS, a collection by Charlie Jane Anders, the first thing I’ve read by her, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I reserved her first novel. Next was the previously mentioned BIBLIOMYSTERIES, Volume 2. I agree with you that the first one was better, but some of these were quite good. Surprisingly (to me), I really liked Stephen Hunter’s nearly 100 page “Citadel,” set in Occupied France during WWII. Last (sadly) was the final Sheriff Dan Rhodes book by Bill Crider, THAT OLD SCOUNDREL DEATH, as much fun as ever, despite the sadness of knowing there will be no more. Jackie suggested I reread them.
Currently reading a book that was recommended on a blog as similar in feel to Bill’s books (not so far), Martin Walker’s BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE, first in his series set in the Perigord region of southwestern France. Too early to say if I will continue with the series – there are more than a dozen – but it is a fast read.
I’m finally back to going through Raoul Whitfield’s WEST OF JAVA, the complete Jo Gar stories, reading one a day. I have read most of these before, but that doesn’t mean I remember them, plus I don’t mind revisiting them.
I knew you’d read this one, Jeff. I haven’t read the Crider yet, and there are two or three others I also have yet to read, just never got a round to them. But this new one is sitting at the top of the TBR, so…soon.
I have heard more than one series compared to Bill’s books, but have only tried one, the name of which escapes me just now. As you know, those Gar stories are favorites of mine.
It’s been ages since I’ve read anything by Brittain, Rick, but I remember enjoying his stories in EQMM.
Once again, my reading has been mainly concentrated on short stories. I’m still working through THE BIG BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES STORIES as well as reading a number of Seabury Quinn’s Jules de Grandin stories from WEIRD TALES. I’m also working on a 1960 horror anthology from Michael Sissons, IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT
I did read two of Basil Copper’s Mike Faraday P.I. novels: THE BREAKING POINT (this week’s FFB) and SHOOT-OUT. I’m currently reading a third, SCRATCH ON THE DARK; I find these books addictive. I also read three graphic novels by Ben Aaronovich based on his RIVERS OF LONDON series: BODY WORK, BLACK MOULD, and DETECTIVE STORIES; these feature Peter Grant, a full-time cop and part-time wizard working for a “special” metropolitan crime unit. Interesting, but somewhat lightweight, IMHO.
I’m glad to hear that Barbara is recuperating well and that your jigsaw puzzle skills still run amok. Have a great week!
I have only read Copper’s Solar Pons books. I have read the first two (three?) Aaronovich books, didn’t know there were graphic novels.
The eBook version really needs proof-reading. There are various errors; for example ihere the end of “The Man Who Read Georges Simenon”
Barney shoved the footstool in front of the seated man. “Up with the feet,” he said. “Harold, he makes one false move, shoot him anywhere you think it’ll do the most good.”
Slowly, first one boot and then the other were raised and settled on the footstool.
Harold could almost see his own reflection in the gleaming boot soles.
you shoot him anywhere you think it’ll do the most good.”
Slowly, first one boot and then the other were raised and settled on the footstool.
Harold could almost see his own reflection in the gleaming boot soles.
Several hours and many telephone calls later, the police had identified the fake Schofield as Willie Needleman, a former employee of Bannerman’s who had been dismissed for dipping into the petty cash. They found the real Schofield trussed up in a closet on the second floor. Two policemen were left to guard the art treasures until Bannerman could make his own arrangements for protecting them. And the tractor-trailer rig was cruising back toward New Jersey with Harold at the wheel.
From time to time he glanced at Barney, who was again reading Maigret’s adventures with rapt concentration. But now Barney was making motions with his free hand which, to say the least, were puzzling.
In spite of the fact that Barney was bareheaded and had nothing in his mouth, he seemed to be adjusting a hat and curving his fingers around the bowl of a pipe.