CHOICE CUT by James Lincoln Warren John’s article on Saturday brought up the topic of film composers, and that stimulated a little introspection and reflection on my part. I spent the plurality of my college years as a musician and even attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City as a conducting major […]

OUT of AFRICA by Leigh Lundin When one of our readers in South Africa heard James was visiting her illustrious country, she sent gently self-mocking photos of what James might be up against. It proves most of what sets us apart, is also what makes us most alike. South Africa actually tops New York City […]

PSYCHOBABBLE by John M. Floyd Confession time: I am a Netflix junkie. Things have now progressed to the point that our postman would probably have an anxiety attack if my mailbox didn’t contain at least one outgoing or incoming red envelope every day. (Like the glutton at a smorgasbord, I almost certainly make management wish […]

MYSTERY TOUR by Steve Steinbock I don’t know if I ever mentioned it to the Criminal Brief community at large, but I’ve been on the road all summer with my two teen-age sons. We’re in Seattle right now, doing family catch-up time with my sisters and their families. Last week the boys were getting bored. […]

EVERYDAY DRAMA by Deborah Elliott-Upton My father-in-law had a stroke Saturday morning. He’s 83 and had been digging a ditch for a gas line at his home the day before. The stroke happened the next morning when he was vacuuming. Obviously, this is not a man who is used to having things done for him. […]

DEPARTMENT OF ODD SOCKS V by Rob Lopresti I just finished reading When The Women Come Out To Dance, and relearned what a great short story writer Elmore Leonard is. One of the interesting things about Dutch, as he is known, is that he sometimes tries out a character in a story before starring them […]

Rob Lopresti introduced us to Henry Lawson here on CB a couple of weeks ago, on Tuesday, July 21. To take another look at it, click here. Through no fault of his, nor of the intrepid Leigh Lundin, who took the reins as editor under the most challenging circumstances imaginable during my sojourn abroad, the […]