The Sherlock Phenomenon and Inspector Lestrade

This week I was on my way home flying over the Atlantic, when I finally had the chance to see an episode in BBC's new series on Sherlock Holmes.  As I've written here before, the continued appeal of that great creation of Arthur Conan Doyle just never ceases to amaze me.  In one of the most recent manifestations, the BBC has taken Holmes and put him in modern London, while trying to follow the basic outlines and conflicts in the original stories.  The episode I saw featured The Final Problem, that epic struggle between good and evil, Holmes and Moriarity (when Doyla also tried to kill off the master detective).  Clearly, there were adaptions to this version's modern setting.  For one thing, the final struggle took place in London, not Switzerland.  But what I noticed most was the updated portrayal of Inspector Lestrade.  Now all of the major characters have been played differently over the years, particularly John Watson, M.D.  In this one, however, Lestrade moves from the bumbling incompetent in the Basil Rathbone series, past the merely competent cop in the previous BBC editions with Jeremy Brett, to a dedicated officer and loyal friend in this one.  Or at least, that was the impression I had after watching this particular episode.  I have to say, though, that I still miss the setting of Edwardian London.

Carl Hiaasen

I've been very busy at work and crashing on the new Berlin manuscript, so for some relief and relaxation I started reading Carl Hiaasen's Native Tongue.  I rediscovered his work during my tour in Iraq (where you really needed some relief), and I have to say that I find his material not only extremely funny, but also an easy and enjoyable read.  I recall picking up Skinny Dip and losing myself entirely in the funny and weird world of south Florida that he creates (or simply reflects), and then enjoying Stormy Weather before I came home.  Native Tongue is one of his earlier efforts, but it's refreshing to see that he had developed his skills as a humorist and novelist that early on.  I can only recommend his books to anyone trying to craft a humorous story, especially if you want to bring in the real world of crime and mystery. Or if you're just looking for a good read.

Ah, London!

Unfortunately, it's been a while since I've written here, a month to be exact.  But that's because I've been traveling in the UK to attend my daughter's graduation from the University of Leicester (where she got her M.A. in Museum Studies) and to spend a few days in London with her and my wife.  Hearing recently of Barnes & Noble's recent troubles (they're closing roughly a third of their stores, or so I've been told) and the collapse of Borders, I was struck once more by the vibrant book store scene in the UK's capital.  They, too, have their large chains, principally Waterstones, as well as some smaller ones, like Daunt's, that provide wide selections and excellent browsing opportunities.  And then there is the unbeatable Hatcherd's just off Picadilly Square, where I dare anyone to leave without at least one purchase.  On top of that, the city is chock full of used book stores, with those lining Charing Cross staying open until curtain time at the nearby theaters, as I found out to my wallet's loss.  I mean, we're talking here about a veritable heaven for book lovers. The only problem is that somehow you've got to find room in your luggage for the mini-library you've accumulated, or else carry the load with you through the airport.  But it sure feels nice when you ponder all those books once you get home.

Those Pesky Norwegians (and Swedes, Danes, etc.)

Well, I finally gave in and read one of Jo Nesbo's novels.  I mean, every time I look at a newspaper or walk in a book store, there's one of his mysteries practically shouting at me.  So I thought I'd give him a read to see if he's worth all the advertising.  Since it's the Christmas season, I also thought I'd start with one that takes place during the Holidays--you know, sort of go with the Holiday spirit.  And I have to say that I was impressed.  I do object to the red herring he threw in there at the beginning, and he does like to shift POVs and scenes from one character to the the next every few pages.  But the pacing was masterful, and the prose was tight yet still descriptive enough to put the reader in the middle of the scene.  And I have to confess that I liked his protagonist, Harry Hole, a real loner and independent spirit in the finest traditions of the genre.  But that makes for my second Norwegian, and I'm beginning to wonder what the difference is between these guys and the Swedes, the Danes, and the Icelanders.  I guess I'll have to read on to find out.  In the meantime, are there any Finns out there?

In the Steps of Sam Spade

During a recent visit to San Francisco I had the good fortune to find the apartment building where Dashiell Hammett lived while he wrote his first three novels, Red Harvest, The Dain Curse, and, of course, The Maltese Falcon.  My wife found the address, and it was literally around the corner from our hotel, just one block down and three further north at 891 Post Street.  There's even a plaque by the front door of the building, and I toyed with the idea of ringing the bell to his old apartment, but I figured the poor occupant was probably bothered enough by mystery geeks as it was.  It was inspiring, though.  That is until I returned to the hotel to brag to the concierge about my discovery, only to find that she had never heard of Hammett or his famous falcon.  Now, Shinese was very helpful and a real sweetheart, but I was stunned to learn that she knew so little not only about American popular literature and film, but also about her city.  I made her promise to rent the film (we agreed it should be available on Netflicks), and that she would e-mail me her view of this classic that launched the film noir genre, not to mention make a star out of Humphrey Bogart.  (She had heard of him, but the names Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, and Sidney Greenstreet drew only blank stares.)  I was so proud of myself for getting on the case as quickly as I did, but I'm still waiting for that e-mail.  

Bernie Gunther

I've been reading yet another Berlin thriller, this one a fairly recent edition in Philip Kerr's wonderful series featuring private eye/homicide cop/political exile/refugee Bernie Gunther, now and then from Berlin.  Kerr, especially in this novel, If the Dead Rise Not, does a masterful job of tying Gunther's troubled past in the Third Reich to the postwar world of a virtually destroyed Germany, a Europe awash in refugees, profiteers, and occupiers, and the shady environment of a Latin America rife with exiles and criminals on the run from the Third Reich.  What I really admire is how he borrows the hard-nosed and sometimes witty banter of a first-person narrative that we associate with the American noir novels of Raymond Chandler and Ross MacDonald and applies this to those turbulent mid-century years in Europe and a German protagonist who never (at least not yet in my readings) sets foot in America.  And he makes it work.

One of these days I'm going to get around to the works of Hans Fallada for a completely different look at Berlin and Germany during these years.  It will be fun to compare them.

Legends of the Fall

No, this is not about the movie.  Last weekend I had the pleasure--and the honor, really--of participating in the annual fall mystery writers gathering in Madison, Wisconsin, also known as the Legends of the Fall.  After a Friday night meeting of the local Mystery Writers of America confab at Sara Barnes Booked for Murder book store, we reconvened on Saturday for a full day of panels and seminars on mystery writing.  There were about a dozen writers present, and the featured quest was William Kent Krueger.  I had an enjoyable session with Michael Black and Ted Hertl, where each of us had the opportunity to speak to his books and series and the take questions from the audience.  It led to some great discussion and  a chance to rethink my own writing.  And, of course, everyone there had their books available for any interested readers.  As the lone non-Midwestern resident present, I was delighted to attend and occasionally bring some East Coast-perspective.  Finally, I want to recommend Sara Barnes's store for a great selection of mystery titles, new and used.  This is precisely the kind of store we need to keep around.  Besides, she was a wonderful host.