Just because England is on an island doesn't mean it was isolated--the world could come to Sherlock Holmes's doorstep! And did. These intriguing stories show how. vweisfeld.com/?p=10922

Sherlock Holmes’s masterful use of disguises gives writers of contemporary Holmes pastiches a lot to play with—and they do! Entertaining examples from a recent Belanger Books anthology. vweisfeld.com/?p=10913

Looking for a new literary detective hero? Try the Avon and Somerset Major Crimes Unit's George Cross. He out-investigates his colleagues and outwits the criminals, baffling them with his unique and highly entertaining mind! vweisfeld.com/?p=10901

Sherlock Holmes’s clever façade hides a much more complex character, as described by contributors to a recent anthology. They're also fascinated with Victorian England. Three stories from the collection delve into the era’s treatment of women. vweisfeld.com/?p=10895

Two movies with appeal to particular categories of fans Excellent filmmaking and admirable acting in both. If I don’t say much about the plot of Dune Part Two, what difference does it make? vweisfeld.com/?p=10892

Sometimes, in writing prose, it’s the little things that count the most. Here are small moments from the current issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine that have more power than a bomb going off! vweisfeld.com/?p=10884 Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Short Mystery Fiction Society

What techniques do successful authors of Holmes/Watson pastiches use to channel the voice, sensibilities, and style of John Watson, MD? vweisfeld.com/?p=10879

Some of the verbal tics people love to hate have long histories—not recent fads. They have staying power because they're useful for more than just annoying the rest of us. And for making writers’ dialog real. vweisfeld.com/?p=10875

Wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more intense. Zombie fires creep along under the snow, burning peat and compacted organic matter. This eye-opening true story is packed with bravery and drama as well as a call to rethink how we choose to live. vweisfeld.com/?p=10869

The inventiveness of the creators of Oscar live action shorts never fails to amaze. They tell such riveting, memorable stories in such a small package! vweisfeld.com/?p=10855

Sherlock Holmes and Watson are among the most enduring characters in literature. Even Holmes's mysterious brother Mycroft has a special place in modern writers' imaginations. vweisfeld.com/?p=10847

Uncannily timely, a memorable, heart-rending production of The Scarlet Letter. Beautiful job, Two River Theater! vweisfeld.com/?p=10834 #theater

Authors of Sherlock Holmes mysteries weigh in on their favorite on-screen Holmes-Watson duos. Who's yours? vweisfeld.com/?p=10827

'Here's Looking at You,' a story based on a pet peeve, is out now in the Valentine's Day issue of Yellow Mama! vweisfeld.com/?p=10818

Old newspapers can be a treasure-trove, showing how times (and crimes) have changed--or not. As Mark Twain is credited with saying, 'History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.' vweisfeld.com/?p=10811

Is the story you’re reading/writing just a series of beads on a strong, or does A actually cause B and B cause C? Prize-winning author George Saunders says this is the often-overlooked key to writing with meaning and, as a reader, finding meaning in it. vweisfeld.com/?p=10801

Streaming Bosch Legacy this weekend, the episode included a storyline about the LAPD’s sloppy use of facial recognition technology that led to identification and arrest of the wrong person. Just what I was writing about last week! vweisfeld.com/?p=10792

Whether your tastes run to Laury A. Egan's deeply psychological or Martin Ott's Urban Noir, these two excellent books will transport you right into the shadows. vweisfeld.com/?p=10784 #amreadingcrime #noir #suspense

Audiences love it, critics say it hews too closely to the sports movie playbook. That's a big factor in why this feel-good movie has such appeal to everyone else! vweisfeld.com/?p=10779

Colonial crime-fighting: Ben Franklin may not have had holograms and 3D security ribbons, but he had some anti-counterfeiting tricks up his sleeves, regardless. vweisfeld.com/?p=10774 #history #crime