Brian Abbott

LATEST ARTICLES ( 306 )

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Poison Apple MartiniI’ve tried a lot of mixed drinks over the years, but it wasn’t until coming up with the name for this site that I discovered this cocktail:... Read more

  Posted on 15 November 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• First Book Launch

  

  Today, I fulfilled a long held dream, publishing my first murder mystery novel! Published through Soul Mate Publishing and now available as an ebook on Amazon. Read more

  Posted on 13 November 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 36

  

  Another writing challenge comes in the form of a mysterious crate…Each month, The Poisoned Martini presents a photo to spark your creativity. Read more

  Posted on 01 November 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 5 Thrillers for Halloween

  Recently I put together a short list of recommended books for a “book beat” article I contribute to a local newspaper, The Eagle Bulletin. Read more

  Posted on 29 October 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• New Links

  

  Recently I’ve added several new links to blogs and websites, and it’s about time I talk about them.In the Local Links section (scroll down to the blue banner... Read more

  Posted on 27 October 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Black Magic cocktailTry a little old time magic with a Black Magic cocktail!Halloween’s approach may just put in the mood for this classic cocktail, appearing i... Read more

  Posted on 25 October 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 35

  

  The first of two writing challenges this month takes you to a creepy spot … a gallows, perhaps?Each month, The Poisoned Martini presents a photo to spark your... Read more

  Posted on 15 October 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Meet Edith Baxter

  “At first glance, Edith Baxter seemed a tiny, fragile septuagenarian with slightly stooped shoulders.  Wrinkles lined her pink complexion, and wisps of white... Read more

  Posted on 01 October 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 34

  

  Do you have something to confess?  This month’s writing challenge lends itself to writing about secrets, sins, forgiveness, or perhaps something more.Each month... Read more

  Posted on 23 September 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Bone Collector

  

  Book by Jeffrey Deaver“Everybody’s nightmare … you get into a cab and turns out there’s a psycho behind the wheel.”That’s how The Bone Collector begins. A man... Read more

  Posted on 10 September 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Martinez cocktailIn the mood for something classic, but different?  Try the Martinez cocktail.This cocktail is a mix between a classic martini and a Manhattan... Read more

  Posted on 05 September 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 33

  

  What’s your hobby or interest?  This month’s writing challenge lends itself to writing about what you collect or what interests you.Each month, The Poisoned... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Journalist cocktailTry a taste of sophistication with this Friday’s cocktail, the Journalist.This classic drink–a likely choice of journalists?–dates back as fa... Read more

  Posted on 15 August 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Luxury cocktailThis Friday, try a little taste of the high life with a Luxury Cocktail.This drink dates back at least as far as the early 1960s, appearing in th... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Open Road Media & Mystery eBooks

  

  The most depressing thing about managing a book collection is weeding.  It might seems like an easy decision to get rid of a book you’ve read, but invariably,... Read more

  Posted on 01 August 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 32

  

  Here’s the second of this month’s two writing challenges.The Poisoned Martini features monthly images to spark your creativity. Read more

  Posted on 30 July 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Death in the Afternoon cocktailThis Friday, take a risk and try Death in the Afternoon.This week saw the anniversary of Ernest Hemingway’s birthday.  He was bor... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Old Man in the Corner

  

  Book by Baroness Orczy“There is no such thing as a mystery in connection with any crime, provided intelligence is brought to bear upon its investigation. Read more

  Posted on 23 July 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Purloined Letter

  

  With an Introduction by Matthew Pearl“He had called to consult us, or rather to ask the opinion of my friend, about some official business which had occasioned ... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Mystery of Marie Roget

  

  With an Introduction by Matthew Pearl“The extraordinary details which I am now called upon to make public, will be found to form, as regards sequence of time,... Read more

  Posted on 18 July 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE