Mobius Books
Thursday, November 13, 2025
David Levine on writers: P.G. Wodehouse
David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear.
David Levine on writers: John Hersey
David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear.
First Lines: George R.R. Martin
The morning had dawned clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the end of summer.
A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Review: "The Killer Question," Janice Hallett
By Liz Soares
Can a top-notch mystery be crafted entirely through text messages, emails, police transcripts, and other documents? Janice Hallett has achieved this before, and I’m delighted to say she’s done it again. While the format may not appeal to everyone, I adore it.
Sue and Mal Eastwood are attempting to run The Case is Altered, a country pub in Hertfordshire. They have a vibrant group of regulars who attend Trivia Night regularly, and Mal takes great pride in creating his own questions.
Personalities are abundant. The group that wins the most is “The Plucky Losers,” led by the talkative and determined Chris. The “Spokespersons” cycle to the pub. The millennials of “Ami’s Magic Carrots” represent one end of the generational spectrum, while the boomers of “Let’s Get Quizzical” provide the other. Initially, “Bob and Linda and Friends” are just—Bob and Linda.
Texts flow between Sue and Mal and among the trivia players, as well as the landlords of the five pubs owned by Ye Olde Goat Brewing Ltd. They are all vivid characters, reflecting the themes of their pubs, from The Brace of Pheasants to The Rainbow.
The landlords quickly report to each other about a random group of ne’er-do-wells moving from pub to pub. When “The Cheats” appear at The Case is Altered, Mal throws them out.
But soon there’s another problem. Well, actually two. First, a group called “The Shadow Knights” arrives, and they are unbeatable. Chris is beside himself, and the other regulars are not pleased. Mal is conflicted—he enjoys the challenge the group presents, but he knows he must do something to ease the frustration of the other trivia players.
Before he resolves that issue, a body is discovered in the river at the end of the lane, just yards from the pub.
It’s a member of “The Cheats.”
As the police investigation unfolds, the landlords prepare for the brewery group’s Annual General Meeting. They decide that, afterward, the landlords—dressed in costumes reflecting their pubs’ motifs—and the brewery admin will join Trivia Night at The Case is Altered. Peter, the dry and reserved ex-military landlord of The Lusty Lass, has uncovered “The Shadow Knights’” secret. Dressed in drag, he is ready to reveal all.
Chaos ensues.
The Killer Question is captivating, engrossing, witty and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. Sue and Mal have a secret history, one that is gradually revealed. Naturally, the past is intricately linked to the present. As the conclusion nears, there’s one clever twist followed by a spectacular one. The storylines converge into a satisfying ending. And yet—this is one of those books that I truly didn’t want to end.
It was that good.
The Biblio File: images of N.E. libraries, for bibliophiles
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| Holyoke Public Library, Holyoke, Massachusetts |
David Levine on writes: Raymond Carver
David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear.
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