Brian Abbott

LATEST ARTICLES ( 306 )

• By Its Cover: Mayhem

  

  This striking cover with its skeletal visage—is it formed by smoke or fire?—wearing a top hat and the vintage map of London behind it have me asking: what is... Read more

  Posted on 31 July 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Chicago, the cocktailToast the windy city with this Friday cocktail, Chicago!This brandy-based cocktail dates back to the late 19th century when so many mixed... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Hosting a Murder Mystery IV

  

  Setting the Scene.In 2008, I hosted two murder mystery parties. I talked about them a bit in my last post, Hosting a Murder Mystery III. Read more

  Posted on 21 July 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Hole-in-One CocktailHow’s your golf game? Celebrate or take solace with a Hole-in-One Cocktail.Consider a Rob Roy or a Manhattan, and try this variation. Read more

  Posted on 17 July 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 43

  

  Delve behind bars for this month’s Writing Challenge!Each month, The Poisoned Martini presents a photo to spark your creativity. Read more

  Posted on 13 July 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Short Story: The Confession

  

  They gathered in the library, the place where it had happened. Last Friday, Tony Pagliano, the gym teacher at St. Ann’s Elementary, had been found dead among th... Read more

  Posted on 29 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• By Its Cover: The Bones of Paris

  

  Do some covers attract attention because they feature someplace we’ve been or wish to go? When traveling do you bring a book set in the place where you’ll be? Read more

  Posted on 23 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail Original

  

  Will you test the sting of this Friday cocktail original, the Blue Wasp?One night, I discovered a wasp–a blue wasp–in my house flying about. Read more

  Posted on 20 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writing Challenge 42

  

  It’s time for a Writing Challenge!Each month, The Poisoned Martini presents a photo to spark your creativity. Such images, because of their visual nature,... Read more

  Posted on 19 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 18 Suspense Thrillers for Summer

  

  Spy thrillers, psychological thrillers, legal thrillers … consider reading some classic and current examples of the genre.  These selections often appear on... Read more

  Posted on 15 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Friday Cocktail

  

  Poseidon cocktailCelebrate a bon voyage, especially one by sea, with this Friday cocktail, Poseidon.Think not of the movie misadventure, but rather of the god o... Read more

  Posted on 13 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• By Its Cover: Murder with a Twist

  

  Do certain images attract your attention to a cover?Considering the name of my blog, The Poisoned Martini, it’s not surprising that cocktails on a mystery... Read more

  Posted on 10 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Inkitt’s Fated Paradox Contest

  

  Mystery and thriller writers looking for a outlet for their stories have a new opportunity and a chance to win a contest for their writing. Read more

  Posted on 06 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood … Afterthoughts

  

  One subtle change, one added clue can change everything.When Charles Dickens died in June 1870, he left an enduring mystery in his unfinished novel, The... Read more

  Posted on 03 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Cocktail Special

  

  It’s Monday, the start of the work week.  Monday, derived from the Old English word Mōnandæg, is the “moon’s day.” In fact, it’s the day of the moon i... Read more

  Posted on 01 June 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• By Its Cover: Jonathan Kellerman’s Killer

  

  Does the type of book you prefer impact what covers you give a second glance?Looking past the very large, bold letters revealing author and title and focusing... Read more

  Posted on 27 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood XII

  The saga of Edwin Drood comes to an unsatisfactory close for its intended outcome can only be a matter of mere speculation.  Before its end, we have one last... Read more

  Posted on 26 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• By Its Cover: Laura Lippman’s Hush

  

  What happens when a book cover catches your eye but gives you pause?Laura Lippman is a New York Times bestseller. Her name appears prominently above the title i... Read more

  Posted on 22 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Chapter by Chapter: The Mystery of Edwin Drood XI

  

  Rosa has fled from John Jasper who revealed his villainous designs on her in their private conversation in the garden of the Nuns’ House.  Others’ concern... Read more

  Posted on 19 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• By Its Cover: Good Neighbors

  

  Illuminated windows at night. Three witnesses peering outside. What do they see?This cover has a sort of Rear Window-vibe, but it also reminded me of an infamou... Read more

  Posted on 14 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE