DVD Review– The Fall, Series 2 Late in the second series of The Fall, a serial killer looks into a video and asks, “Why are you watching this?” A good question, I told myself. The Fall has a lot going for it, particularly the magnificent Gillian Anderson in the lead role, and a palpable […]
Author Archives: Christopher Chan
Review of the Week: The Whole Art of Detection
Review of the Week: The Whole Art of Detection The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes By Lyndsay Faye Mysterious Press 2017 $25.00 Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson have inspired generations of writers to continue adding to their adventures long after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle set down his pen. Lyndsay Faye […]
DVD Review– Agatha Raisin, Series 1
DVD Review– Agatha Raisin, Series 1 This series is based on the mystery novels of M.C. Beaton. Although I have not read any of her work, it is my understanding that some of these adaptations are very loose indeed, dramatically changing the character of Agatha and altering the identity of the killer in other […]
DVD Review: The Passenger
DVD Review– The Passenger This six-episode French-language miniseries is purportedly about the hunt for a serial killer, but the really compelling drama comes in the search for the truth about its protagonist. As the story opens, the police come upon a particularly grisly murder: a man is found dead with a bull’s head stuck over […]
DVD Review– Zootopia
DVD Review– Zootopia The children’s mystery genre is sadly under-explored, with very few decent movies revolving around crimes. Of course, children’s entertainment shouldn’t center around murder, rape, and other violent atrocities, but properly designed, relatively wholesome puzzles are great for developing young minds. Disney’s recent hit Zootopia is an enjoyable crime comedy for […]
DVD Review: The Americans: Season 3
DVD Review– The Americans: Season 3 The premise of The Americans is certainly attention grabbing– and disturbing. A seemingly ordinary family living outside of Washington, DC, in the 1980s has a secret. To the world, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) are a mild-mannered couple who run a travel agency and have […]
Book Review of the Week: Feeding Hannibal: A Connoisseur’s Cookbook
Book Review of the Week: Feeding Hannibal: A Connoisseur’s Cookbook By Janice Poon Titan Books 2016 $29.95 I have voiced my admiration for the television series Hannibal in the past (https://strandmag.com/dvd-review-hannibal-season-three/). Not only did the show manage to adapt the well-explored subject matter in a fresh and creative manner that still somehow remained remarkably loyal […]
DVD Review– Turn: Washington’s Spies– Seasons 2 & 3
DVD Review– Turn: Washington’s Spies– Seasons 2 & 3 Based on an irresistible true story, though streamlined and reimagined for dramatic purposes, Turn: Washington’s Spies centers on a small group of amateur spies (“the Culper Ring”) as they gather intelligence at the behest of George Washington in the hopes of winning the Revolution. […]
Book Review: The Beautiful Dead
Book Review: The Beautiful Dead The Beautiful Dead By Belinda Bauer Atlantic Monthly Press 2016 $25.00 The Beautiful Dead is the story of Eve Singer, a television reporter specializing in crime cases. When a twist of fate makes her the obsession of a serial killer, she becomes a pawn in the killer’s game […]
DVD Review– 19-2– Seasons 1, 2, and 3
DVD Review– 19-2– Seasons 1, 2, and 3 An English-language remake of a French-language Canadian cop show, 19-2 focuses on the lives of a team of first responders. These are not detectives: their job is to be the first at the scenes of crimes and to take care of assorted tasks. They’re not supposed to […]
DVD Review– Longmire: The Complete Fourth Season
DVD Review– Longmire: The Complete Fourth Season Based on Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire Mysteries (as yet unread by me), Longmire is a series rescued from a premature cancellation. After three superb seasons on A&E, the show was cancelled while still popular, and after some anxiety on the part of fans, Netflix came to the […]
Book of The Week: The Old Man By Thomas Perry
Book of The Week: The Old Man By Thomas Perry The Old Man By Thomas Perry Mysterious Press 2017 $26.00 The Old Man is a thriller that illustrates that advancing years don’t necessarily mean that one’s life has to be dull and devoid of adventure. As the novel opens, Dan Chase is retired, his […]