Brian Abbott

LATEST ARTICLES ( 306 )

• The Best Man to Die

  

  Lorry driver Charlie Hatton shows up late to Jack Pertwee’s stag party. Charlie “was a little fellow with a brown face and very brilliant sharp eyes. Read more

  Posted on 05 February 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Too Soon To Say Goodbye

  

  This one hits harder… On Wednesday, January 19, my Pekingese Ching passed away. This time, there was no other Peke to meet me at the door when I returned home.... Read more

  Posted on 31 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Romance Novels of 2021

  

  For the first time, The Poisoned Martini is taking a look at the most popular romance novels of the previous year. What were the most popular romantic reads tha... Read more

  Posted on 15 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Sci-Fi Novels in 2021?

  

  We’ve taken a look at mysteries and fantasies, now it’s time to check out the most popular Sci-Fi stories of 2021. Based on circulation figures at the library... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2021?

  

  Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2021. Based on circulation figures at... Read more

  Posted on 13 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Before the Coffee Gets Cold

  

  Clang-Dong. Welcome to Funiculi Funicula, a quaint little tucked away café in Tokyo with a remarkable secret. “Several years had passed since the café had its... Read more

  Posted on 11 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Mysteries of 2021

  

  A new year has arrived with all new potential, but before we step further into 2022, let’s take a look back at the semi-normal year that was 2021. What were... Read more

  Posted on 05 January 2022 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Visualizing Characters

  

  Whether reading or writing about them, we all tend to conjure up an image of the characters in a story. What does he or she (or they) look like? We take cues... Read more

  Posted on 01 December 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Redshirts

  

  In the opening pages of Redshirts, Ensign Davis is on an away mission for the Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union. He’s accompanying the ship’s officers:... Read more

  Posted on 27 July 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Mystery eBooks of 2020

  

  Though it took me a bit longer than I’d like, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the most checked out ebook mystery titles in 2020. Read more

  Posted on 19 February 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Mysteries of 2020?

  

  Welcome 2021! So glad you’re here.But… Let’s take one last look at the most unusual of years, 2020. What were the most popular mysteries read? Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail: Elderflower Sour

  

  The Elderflower SourAs the temperatures warm up this Spring, cool off with a refreshing Elderflower Sour.This is a perfect cocktail for warm weather moments. An... Read more

  Posted on 22 May 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mysteries: Part Seven

  

  Welcome to Part Seven of 15 Years of Mysteries! 2010 was the dawn of a new decade and the lucky 7th year of the Mystery Book Club. Read more

  Posted on 18 February 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail: Fontainebleau

  

  The Fontainebleau SpecialIn the mood for something a little different, try the Fontainebleau.One night, upon deciding to have a cocktail and considering the... Read more

  Posted on 08 February 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top 10 Mysteries of 2019?

  

  A new decade has dawned! But before we get much further into 2020, it’s time to take one last look at the last decade (and last year), and see what the most... Read more

  Posted on 10 January 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mystery: Part Six

  

  Welcome to Part Six of 15 Years of Mysteries! The list of titles for 2009 proved to be a bit more challenging to my powers of recall. Knowing what was read is... Read more

  Posted on 13 December 2019 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mysteries: Part Five

  

  Welcome to Part Five of 15 Years of Mysteries! In 2008, my local library moved to a new location and the Mystery Book Club moved along with it. Read more

  Posted on 19 November 2019 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mysteries: Part Four

  

  Welcome to Part Four of 15 Years of Mysteries! The Mystery Book Club (at my local library) continued its tour of mystery fiction with several women authors. Read more

  Posted on 11 November 2019 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mysteries: Part Three

  

  Welcome to Part Three of 15 Years of Mysteries! The Mystery Book Club (at my local library) kicked off its third year of reading with a tie in to a local... Read more

  Posted on 04 November 2019 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 15 Years of Mysteries: Part Two

  

  Welcome to Part Two of 15 Years of Mysteries! The first full year of hosting a Mystery Book Club at my local library included a variety of titles in the... Read more

  Posted on 28 October 2019 BOOKS, CULTURE