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Historical Whodunits
One of the writers for the highly acclaimed television show Monk presents a series of 14 unique solve-it-yourself mini-mysteries, all with a historical setting. At the end of each intriguing tale, armchair sleuths begin their own detective work with the aid of key questions and some crucial clues--including an interview with a witness, lab analysis of the evidence, or an examination of the crime scene. The historical settings range from ancient Rome to 1940s Hollywood, and the subjects include Jamaican pirates; death in Venice amid a masked ball; Jack the Ripper copycats.
142 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2005
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Hy Conrad
47 books169 followersHY CONRAD has made a career out of murder, earning the 2022 Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (“The Fixer’s Daughter”) and 2022 NYC Big Book Awards for Best Mystery Series (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” “Sins of the Family”), a Scribe Award for Best Novel (“Mr. Monk Helps Himself”) and garnering three Edgar nominations from the Mystery Writers of America (for the “Monk” TV series). Along the way, he developed a horde of popular games and interactive films, hundreds of short stories and a dozen books of solvable mysteries, published in over 15 languages. Hy is best known for his eight seasons as writer/co-executive producer for the ground-breaking TV series, “Monk.” Other shows include “White Collar” and “The Good Cop.”
As a novelist, Hy authored the final four books in the Monk series, the Amy Travel Mysteries (“Toured to Death,” “Dearly Departed” and “Death on the Patagonian Express”) and the Callie McFee Mysteries (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” a Barnes & Noble bestseller and “Sins of the Family”).
In the world of theatre, his produced works consist of “Home Exchange” (a mystery), “Ta-Dah!” (a musical), and “Quarantine for Two” (a socially distanced dark comedy about the pandemic).
When he looks up from his keyboard, Hy sees either the hills of Vermont or the palm trees of Key West, depending on the time of year. He also sees Jeff Johnson, his partner of 43 years, now his husband, plus Nelson and Stella, the latest in a dynasty of mini-schnauzers.
www.hyconrad.com
Facebook: hyconrad
Instagram: hyconrad1
As a novelist, Hy authored the final four books in the Monk series, the Amy Travel Mysteries (“Toured to Death,” “Dearly Departed” and “Death on the Patagonian Express”) and the Callie McFee Mysteries (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” a Barnes & Noble bestseller and “Sins of the Family”).
In the world of theatre, his produced works consist of “Home Exchange” (a mystery), “Ta-Dah!” (a musical), and “Quarantine for Two” (a socially distanced dark comedy about the pandemic).
When he looks up from his keyboard, Hy sees either the hills of Vermont or the palm trees of Key West, depending on the time of year. He also sees Jeff Johnson, his partner of 43 years, now his husband, plus Nelson and Stella, the latest in a dynasty of mini-schnauzers.
www.hyconrad.com
Facebook: hyconrad
Instagram: hyconrad1
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 21, 2021
Not what I was expecting. I have another book with a similar title and I really enjoy the mix of historical fiction and mystery stories. These aren't fully developed stories, though. They're little more than scenarios where the reader is supposed to try to guess what really happened. I am much more interested in characters and themes than trying to figure out the puzzle myself. When I want to do puzzles, I'll pull out my crossword book.
May 28, 2010
Este livro tem 14 casos para resolver. Cada caso passa-se tempo diferente, e é indicado algum contexto histórico.
Temos para resolver o assassinato de um senador romano, um pirata, uma actriz dos anos 30, etc.
Adorei particularmente o cenário do último mistério, Verona após o suicídio de Romeu e Julieta.
Dos casos consegui resolver cerca de metade, os restantes ou falhei pelo menos parte da solução (é frustante adivinhar o motivo e o método do assassínio e falhar o assassino), ou não consegui sequer imaginar uma.
Parte da solução de grande parte dos crimes, ou pelo menos a pista chave que confirma a solução que estamos a pensar encontra-se nas pistas adicionais, que se encontram no fim do livro.
Achei que boa parte dos casos eram giros de resolver, mas no que toca a policiais não eram nada originais, sendo que o motivo do crime era normalmente cliché (sexo ou dinheiro).
Por outro lado a tradução e/ou revisão deste livro deixa bastante a desejar. em dois casos separados há uma inconsistencia flagrante na escrita de nomes (uma personagem saltita de Marian para Dorian várias vezes ao longo do caso que protagoniza, e um bar muda de Tem Bells, que nem sequer faz sentido, para Ten Bells, o nome mais provável).
Temos para resolver o assassinato de um senador romano, um pirata, uma actriz dos anos 30, etc.
Adorei particularmente o cenário do último mistério, Verona após o suicídio de Romeu e Julieta.
Dos casos consegui resolver cerca de metade, os restantes ou falhei pelo menos parte da solução (é frustante adivinhar o motivo e o método do assassínio e falhar o assassino), ou não consegui sequer imaginar uma.
Parte da solução de grande parte dos crimes, ou pelo menos a pista chave que confirma a solução que estamos a pensar encontra-se nas pistas adicionais, que se encontram no fim do livro.
Achei que boa parte dos casos eram giros de resolver, mas no que toca a policiais não eram nada originais, sendo que o motivo do crime era normalmente cliché (sexo ou dinheiro).
Por outro lado a tradução e/ou revisão deste livro deixa bastante a desejar. em dois casos separados há uma inconsistencia flagrante na escrita de nomes (uma personagem saltita de Marian para Dorian várias vezes ao longo do caso que protagoniza, e um bar muda de Tem Bells, que nem sequer faz sentido, para Ten Bells, o nome mais provável).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2020
A fun collection of mystery stories, though I do hate having to flip to the back of the book for the solutions.
August 21, 2012
Perfect for starters! All I could think about was planning a school class for 11/13 years old. Good and catchy exercise.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews