Although John Dickson Carr was a prolific writer–he wrote under the pseudonym of “Carter Dickson,” too–most of his books are out-of-print. Carr specialized in locked-room mysteries and impossible crimes. The Three Coffins (aka, The Hollow Man) was published in 1935 and proved to be one of Carr’s most popular books. In 1981, a panel of 17 authors and reviewers voted The Three Coffins the best locked-room mystery ever written. Two murders are committed in rapid succession, one of them in a locked room. Dr. Gideon Fell investigates and eventually solves the crime. But, before Fell reveals how the baffling murders were committed and who the murderer is, he expounds on his specialty: locked room murders. This famous “Locked Room Lecture” became the standard template for the many locked room mysteries that followed. If you haven’t read The Three Coffins you’re missing one of the most historically important mysteries ever written. It’s also a very clever novel.
FORGOTTEN BOOKS #58: THE THREE COFFINS By John Dickson Carr
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Hilary Hahn is the big attraction on this CD. Bach wrote some of his best music in his cantatas and you’ll hear some that great music here. Hilary Hahn’s violin sings on these cuts. Hahn is joined by Christine Schäfer, the sultry Frankfurt soprano, and Matthias Goerne, the Weimer baritone. And, although some of this music is very serious, Hahn and Schafer and Goerne sound like they’re having a grand time! Don’t miss this one! GRADE: A
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COLUMBIA PICTURES FILM NOIR CLASSICS I bundles five noir classics: The Sniper, The Big Heat, 5 Against the House, The Lineup, and Murder By Contract. This collection presents restored and remastered versions of these great films. You’ll see memorable performances by Lee Marvin, Kim Novak, Eli Wallach, Glenn Ford, and Gloria Grahame. The movies are introduced by Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, and Christopher Nolan. This is a must-buy box set! I can’t wait for the next volume in this wonderful series! GRADE: A
As a diabetic, I’m always on the lookout for good tasting beverages that are also low-carb. I found a 12-pack of Welch’s Diet Peach Twist at Sam’s Club for less than a buck a bottle. It tastes great! There are only 10 calories per 14-oz. bottle. Only 20mg of sodium, zero carbohydrates! Welch’s also has Berry Pomegranate and Black Cherry flavors, but I haven’t tried them yet. According to the Welch’s web site, all three beverages are flavored with Splenda. I’ll be going back to Sam’s Club to buy more! Try it, you’ll like it!
GREEN ZONE is the thriller The Hurt Locker tries to be. Directed by Paul Greengrass, whose work on the last two Jason Bourne movies made them so compelling, GREEN ZONE presents a scathing critique of the invasion of Iraq. The manufactured intelligence, the faulty claims of “weapons of mass destruction,” and cover-ups all enter into the breakneck pacing of this movie. Matt Damon shows off his action-hero chops. If you’re looking for a thrill ride with some serious political implications, go see GREEN ZONE. It will leave you breathless…and pondering. GRADE: A
When I was a horny teenager back in the Sixties, Carter Brown books held a mesmerizing fascination for me. Initially, it was the siren song of the fabulous Robert McGinnis covers that compelled me to buy them. But, believe it or not, I just didn’t drool over those sexy covers, I actually read those Carter Brown books, too. Carter Brown had a number of series characters: curvaceous (though ditzy) private detective Mavis Seidlitz; Al Wheeler, a homicide lieutenant from the fictional Pine Country, California, and Hollywood detective Rick Holman. The White Bikini (1963) features Rick Holman, a private detective who somehow always has a case that features slinky blonds and willing women. That was pretty hot stuff back then when I was 14. Alan G. Yates published about 150 Carter Brown novels that sold millions of copies. Today, they’re getting tougher to find. But, if you haven’t read any Carter Brown books, your life is incomplete.
I’m a sucker for a book like this. Thirty writers tell about that “special something” that most influenced them. For example, Joyce Carol Oates writes about the impact Nabokov, Donald Barthelme, John Gardner, Lewis Carroll, and Poe had on her writing. Jay Cantor remembers taking a class at Harvard with Bernard Malamud who inspired him to write. For Denis Johnson, it was reading Leonard Gardner’s cult classic Fat City that ignited Johnson’s passion to write. Each of the writers in this volume describe the person or book or place or an event that changed their writing lives forever. I loved reading their insightful essays and I bet you will, too. GRADE: A 
Peter Gabriel is one of my favorite artists. I first followed him when he was with Genesis. During his solo recording career, Gabriel recorded one of my favorite songs, “”Solsbury Hill.” I enjoyed Gabriel’s Top 40 singles “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes.” When I first heard that Gabriel was recording an album of cover songs, I was excited. But then I heard rumors that there would be no guitars, no drums, only an orchestra backing up Gabriel’s vocals. That gave me pause. Scratch My Back was released last week and I’ve listened to it a couple of times. Both experiences were painful. I have never listened to more mournful music. Every song sounds like a dirge. This is sad, sad music totally lacking in joy. The only album I can think of that is about equally depressing is Joni Mitchell’s Blue. GRADE: D (for dismal and dull)