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Black Orchids (#9) is two novellas united by the motif of rare black orchids, but they also have memorable settings. The first one has an incredibly vivid portrait of a state/county fair which serves to illustrate that they didn't change much between the 1930s and the 1990s. The second features an eccentric wealthy person's estate populated by free-ranging wild animals who figure in the mystery.
Not Quite Dead Enough (#10) contains a novella in which Archie frames himself a bit, which I have to admit is the first time in all my mystery and detective fiction reading I've seen that particular premise.
The Silent Speaker (#11) depends for its plot on audio recording devices and the ones they use are cylinders that fit a proprietary machine the size of a piece of furniture, which is quite a memorable feature. It has a faint reminiscence to my eye of "The Dying Detective" (Sherlock Holmes).
Too Many Women (#12) contains my favorite female character so far, Cecily Pine. She's a self-possessed and commanding wealthy serial cougar who gets tired of pretty young men quickly and is described as rather small and round and wholesome-looking, but extremely elegantly dressed.
Here are some more memorable lines:
( Read more... )
Not Quite Dead Enough (#10) contains a novella in which Archie frames himself a bit, which I have to admit is the first time in all my mystery and detective fiction reading I've seen that particular premise.
The Silent Speaker (#11) depends for its plot on audio recording devices and the ones they use are cylinders that fit a proprietary machine the size of a piece of furniture, which is quite a memorable feature. It has a faint reminiscence to my eye of "The Dying Detective" (Sherlock Holmes).
Too Many Women (#12) contains my favorite female character so far, Cecily Pine. She's a self-possessed and commanding wealthy serial cougar who gets tired of pretty young men quickly and is described as rather small and round and wholesome-looking, but extremely elegantly dressed.
Here are some more memorable lines:
"I suggest, if the discussion is to be at kindergarten level, that we all sit on the floor."
( Read more... )
