Category Archives: Fiction

Trust Your Instincts

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Trust your instincts. How often have you read a mystery in which the policeman, private detective, amateur investigator says or thinks that? Lots. When it comes to reviewers of mystery fiction, especially older books, the instinct I trust is to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fiction, Mystery, New Arrivals | 12 Comments

Forgotten Book: Final Proof by Marie R. Reno

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Rick Robinson

this is the 256th in my series of forgotten or seldom read books Final Proof by Marie R. Reno, Popular Library 1977 mass market paperback, mystery This is one of those books I read something about somewhere, very possibly in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fiction, Friday Forgotten Books, Mystery | 7 Comments

FFB: Impossible Stories by Zoran Zivkovic

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Rick Robinson

I revamped this from Wednesday’s post, as I think it qualifies as overlooked. I found out about these on the fine Black Gate blog. Covers first, info after. From the February 24th Black Gate post by John O’Neill: (reposted with permission) “Serbian master … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fantasy, Fiction | 8 Comments

Short Story February – Week 4

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Here’s week four (Feb. 20 – 26) listed in story-author-source format. * An asterisk indicates a story I particularly liked. White Lies * – Paul Theroux – The Collected Stories Clapham Junction – ibid The Odd-Job Man * – ibid Portrait of A Lady … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, current reading, Fantasy, Fiction, literary fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story February | 25 Comments

Short Story February – Week 3

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Here’s week three (Feb. 13 – 19) listed in story-author-source format.          * An asterisk indicates a story I particularly liked. Death in December * – Victor Gunn (Edwy Searles Brooks) – Crimson Snow edited by Martin Edwards From … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, current reading, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story February | 20 Comments

Short Story February – Week 2

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Here’s week two (Feb. 6 – 12) listed in story-author-source format. * An asterisk indicates a story I particularly liked. A Place In the Shade – Robert Reed – Worldbuilders, SF Adventures in Terraforming, edited by Gardner Dozois The Border-Line Case … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, current reading, Fantasy, Fiction, literary fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story February | 23 Comments

Short Story February week 1

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Here’s my first week (five days, Feb 1-5) of reading, in story – author – source format. An asterisk indicates a story I particularly liked Alien Animal Encounters * – John Scalzi – Miniatures Bring Bring * – Conrad Aiken – Collected Stories of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, current reading, Fantasy, Fiction, literary fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story February | 28 Comments

February: Short Month, Short Stories!

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Rick Robinson

Short Story February Last year I tried focusing on short stories during the month of February, and I read a lot of stories. I picked a dozen collections and anthologies and cycled from one to the other throughout the month. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction | 23 Comments

Forgotten Book: All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Rick Robinson

this is the 252nd in my series of forgotten or seldom read books  All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, 1946 , Harcourt, Brace & Company political fiction  All the King’s Men portrays the dramatic political rise and governorship of Willie Stark, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fiction, Friday Forgotten Books | 18 Comments

New arrivals: Birthday Swag

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Rick Robinson

It happens every year, I get older, and a few books celebrate the occasion. Sometimes I’m amazed I’ve lived as long as I have. I hope I have a few more good years in me. Here’s the birthday Swag (the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction | 20 Comments