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Showing posts from February, 2013

Faked to Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery by Dean James

                 My favorite vampire sleuth is back in this second book of the series.   This time Simon is off to be part of a writers’ conference held at the home of Lady Hermione Kinsale.   She has brought together a group of respected authors for what is supposed to be an educational and inspiring week for aspiring writers.   Then the unexpected happens: an imposter and a murder.                                During the conference, well-known author Dorinda Darlington is killed.   Well, she is but she is not. The true Dorinda Darlington is Simon.   He uses the name as a pen name in order to keep his true identity a secret.   The reason he was invited to the conference is for the historical books Simon writes under his own name...

Mystery Diners

                    Sometimes a restaurant can fall apart because of one person.   Often the owners know there is a problem somewhere, but they do not know for certain who or what is causing it.   That is where the show Mystery Diners comes in.   Charles Stiles and his team set up cameras throughout the restaurant and send people in undercover in order to figure out what is really going on when the boss is away.                                Most often the people calling in Mr. Stiles are owners, but there have been a few managers as well.   They all usually have a suspicion as to who is creating the trouble, and Mr. Stiles directs the attention towards that person.   He sends in team members posing as new employees, c...

Genesis performed by the Milwaukee Ballet

                  When the brochure for the Milwaukee Ballet’s 2012-13 season arrived last year I came across Genesis in the line-up.   An International Choreographic Competition, I knew it was something I wanted to see.   I was curious to discover what up and coming choreographers were creating.   For months I waited for this event.   Finally, this past weekend, it arrived.                              The competition featured three different choreographers.   Each created a segment of dance about twenty minutes long.   All had their own story, costumes, lighting, music, and dancers.   There were two awards the choreographers had a chance to win.   First was the one chosen by a panel judges.   The other was the Audience...

Hotel Transylvania

                 Did you know Dracula had a daughter?   According to the animated movie Hotel Transylvania he does.   Dracula (Adam Sandler) keeps his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), hidden away in the hotel he runs as a safe haven for other monsters.   He is a devoted father and he does not want Mavis to get hurt by the humans of the outside world.   Throughout Mavis’ childhood this is fairly easy for Dracula to do.   Then Mavis turns 118 and everything changes.                 Dracula promised Mavis that when she turned 118 years old she could go out and explore the world.   The day has now come and Mavis cannot wait to venture out.   Dracula agrees to let Mavis go, but only for a short time as there is a hotel full of guests waiting to celebrate her birthday.   He suggests a village she ...