Clues and Conclusions

"The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances." From Agatha Christie 's novel Murder on the Orient Express. Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" is a classic mystery novel featuring the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot, who solves a complex murder case aboard the famous train. Christie, known as the "Queen of Mystery", has...

“You put the small thief in prison, but the big thief lives in a palace.” From "Orient Express", by Graham Greene . Graham Greene was a renowned British author known for his explorations of moral and political issues through his novels. "Orient Express", also known as "Stamboul Train", is a suspenseful tale set on the famous train, intertwining the lives of diverse characters, each with their own...

"He was one of those men who live in the nostalgia of a bygone era. There are a lot of them around." From "The Deep Blue Good-by", by John D. MacDonald . John D. MacDonald was a prolific American writer known for his mystery and suspense novels, particularly the Travis McGee series. "The Deep Blue Good-by," the first book in this series, introduces Travis McGee, a charismatic "salvage consultant"...

"She was one of those women who kept a clean house, thought of herself as spiritual, but had a mean streak that could kill a dog." From Elmore Leonard 's novel "LaBrava"​. Elmore Leonard's "LaBrava" is a crime novel that follows Joe LaBrava, a former Secret Service agent turned photographer as he becomes entangled in a dangerous scheme, involving an aging movie star and a violent ex-convict in Mia...

“My spirit balanced on the razor’s edge of light and dark, freedom and slavery, life and death.” From "Darkest Heart", by Juliette Cross . "Darkest Heart" by Juliette Cross is a paranormal romance novel that delves into a gripping story of angels, demons, and the fierce battles between good and evil. Juliette Cross is a renowned author known for her captivating fantasy and romance novels, often bl...

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past. All of us labor in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity.” William Faulkner , Requiem for a Nun. "Requiem for a Nun" by William Faulkner is a compelling Southern Gothic novel that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the inescapable influence of the past through the...

“It was wrong. It was like arresting the gun for murder.” From "The Player on the Other Side", by Ellery Queen . Ellery Queen is a pseudonym used by cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, who are known for their detective fiction and created the popular character Ellery Queen, a fictional detective. "The Player on the Other Side", one of their many novels, explores themes of crime and...

"Down South is a thousand miles as the crow flies, but I'm no crow." Perry Mason in "The Case of the Velvet Claws", by Erle Stanley Gardner . Erle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author best known for creating the fictional detective Perry Mason. In "The Case of the Velvet Claws", the first novel in the Perry Mason series, Mason defends a woman accused of blackmail and murder, showcasin...

“One lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns." Mario Puzo was an American author and screenwriter best known for his novel "The Godfather," which vividly portrays the life of a powerful Mafia family. The book's success led to its adaptation into a critically acclaimed film trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola, solidifying its place as a cultural icon in American cin...

"...but I had long since learned from Wolfe that the corner the light doesn’t reach is the one the dime rolled to.” From "Fer de Lance", by Rex Stout . Rex Stout was a prolific American mystery writer best known for creating the brilliant and irascible detective Nero Wolfe. "Fer de Lance", published in 1934, is the first novel in the Nero Wolfe series, introducing readers to the detective’s unique...

“It was the code of Harlem for one brother to help another lie to white cops.” From "A Rage in Harlem", by Chester Himes . Chester Himes was a prolific African American writer known for his hard-boiled crime fiction, often set in Harlem, capturing the complexities of racial dynamics and urban life. His novel "A Rage in Harlem", published in 1957, is the first in the Harlem Detective series. The bo...

“He killed her and I made a mess of his head. Even the devil won't recognize him now.” From "My Gun Is Quick", by Mickey Spillane . "My Gun Is Quick" is a hard-boiled detective novel by Mickey Spillane, featuring his iconic private investigator Mike Hammer in a gritty and violent story of revenge and justice. Mickey Spillane, known for his tough, no-nonsense writing style, was a prolific author of...

"I killed him for money and a woman. I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman." James M. Cain , "Double Indemnity" James M Cain's "Double Indemnity", published in 1943, is a classic noir novel that delves into themes of greed, betrayal, and murder. The author, known for his hardboiled writing style, has significantly influenced the crime fiction genre. The novel was adapted into a highly...

"The world is full of evil, and lies, and pain, and death, and you can't hide from it; you can only face it." Phil Coulson in Seeds, by Clark Gregg’s TV series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Clark Gregg is an American actor best known for his role as Agent Phil Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the television series "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." The series, which aired from...

“Jude taught me what love was: to be willing to hold on to another person's pain. That's it." Stephanie Oakes , The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly. "The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly" is a gripping novel by Stephanie Oakes that tells the story of a girl who escapes from a cult and must navigate life without her hands while uncovering dark secrets.  Stephanie Oakes is an American author known for her compel...

"Scottie, do you believe that someone out of the past - someone dead - can enter and take possession of a living being?" The 1958 film "Vertigo", directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was based on the 1954 French novel "From Among the Dead" by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac . The story revolves around a retired detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he is hired to follow, leading to a complex tal...

"The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call, ‘out there.’" Truman Capote 's "In Cold Blood" is a pioneering work of true crime literature, meticulously detailing the 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. Capote's immersive reporting and narrative style offer a profound exploration of the psychological and socia...

“I never knew her in life. She exists for me through others, in evidence of the ways her death drove them.” James Ellroy , The Black Dahlia. "The Black Dahlia", written by James Ellroy, is a gripping crime novel that fictionalizes the infamous unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947 Los Angeles. Ellroy, known for his dark and complex narratives, draws on his personal experiences and fascination...

“He was half a politician, and like most of his kind he was an insecure man.” From The Chill, by Ross Macdonald . Ross Macdonald was an acclaimed American-Canadian writer known for his hardboiled detective novels, particularly those featuring the character Lew Archer. "The Chill," published in 1964, is one of Macdonald's most celebrated works, intricately weaving psychological depth and complex my...

“Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy.” Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen . "Girl, Interrupted" is a memoir by Susanna Kaysen, recounting her time in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s. It offers a candid look at mental illness and the mental health care system. The 1999 film adaptation stars Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, with Jolie winning an Academy Award for her ro...

“We love the things that destroy us, because in that destruction we truly feel alive.” From Bloodman, by Robert Pobi . Robert Pobi is a contemporary author renowned for his gripping thrillers and suspense novels, often blending intricate plots with deep psychological insights. His works, such as "Bloodman" and "City of Windows," showcase his talent for creating intense, page-turning narratives tha...

"Haunt - it is the right word, for someone living like a ghost." " The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue ", written by V.E. Schwab , is a captivating fantasy novel that explores the life of a young woman who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Victoria Elizabeth Schwab is an acclaimed author known for her gripping and imaginative stories, inclu...

“Confidence pumped to the level of giving zero fucks was portable, at least in theory.” From "They Don't Come Home Anymore", by T.E. Grau . Theodore Edward Grau is an American author known for his contributions to horror and dark fiction, often blending psychological depth with supernatural elements. "They Don't Come Home Anymore" is a haunting novella by Grau that explores themes of loss, obsessi...

“He'd wanted the information made public at the most dramatic moment possible.” From The Honjin Murders, by Seishi Yokomizo . "The Honjin Murders" is a classic Japanese mystery novel by Seishi Yokomizo, featuring his famous detective Kosuke Kindaichi solving a complex and gruesome murder case in a secluded village. Seishi Yokomizo, renowned for his contributions to the genre, is often celebrated a...

On the morning of the exorcism, I stayed home from school.” A Head Full of Ghosts, by Paul Tremblay . Paul Tremblay is an acclaimed author known for his work in the horror and thriller genres. "A Head Full of Ghosts" is one of his notable novels, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements to tell the story of a family dealing with a daughter's possible demonic possession. Clues and C...