Chris Chan's Blog, page 26
April 16, 2021
Who The Heck Is the “Hon Con?”
Who The Heck Is the “Hon Con?”
The third of Joyce Porter’s series detectives is the “Hon Con,” the nickname of the Honorable Constance Ethel Morrison-Burke, a noblewoman with tons of spare time and disposable income on her hands, though given the high taxation and social upheaval of 1960’s and 1970’s England, she’s constantly pinching pennies (even though she doesn’t need to) and dodging the barbs of hoi polloi who believe it’s their social responsibility to take the aristocracy down a peg or nine.
Having boundless amounts of energy and lacking a direction for them, a chance encounter with a distraught mother sends the Hon Con into the private detection business. Actually, it’s not really a business, as the Hon Con never makes a penny off of her investigations, and often has to pay considerable sums out of pocket, whether it’s covering her own expenses, or paying hefty fines levelled by an unsympathetic (and often unjust and incompetent) court system.
The Hon Con stories (five in all) are pure comedy, even when they skewer the hypocrisies, banalities, and insanities of English life and society at a time when everything seems to be crumbling. Throughout the series, Porter takes shots at corrupt and venal government agencies meant to Serve The Public, crime allowed to run rampant because no one in charge can be bothered to address it, and nastiness and iniquity amongst falsely friendly faces in seemingly quiet villages. In one adventure, Porter switches to sending up the duplicitous and decrepit nature of life under the Soviets when the Hon Con takes a trip to the USSR. Even the Queen doesn’t escape a bit of satiric nose-twisting in the final adventure.
The Hon Con’s reluctant assistant in her investigations is Miss Jones (better known as “Bones,”) her housekeeper, best friend, and possibly something more, as the village gossips constantly wonder. The Hon Con is sometimes cited as the first openly lesbian fictional series detective in British fiction, but Miss Jones often is shown with an interest in much younger men, and Porter keeps the exact state of their relationship ambiguous throughout the series. While the Hon Con is boisterous and fearless, Bones is timid and easily shaken, though she can be roused to fury when the order and cleanliness of her domestic sphere is threatened.
The Hon Con mysteries rank as some of Porter’s funniest works, and illustrate a search for truth in a world gone mad.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27th from MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
April 9, 2021
Who The Heck Is Eddie Brown?
Who The Heck Is Eddie Brown?
If someone were to ask you to think of a fictional spy, more likely than not your mind would turn to Ian Fleming’s James Bond. He’s suave, debonair, highly competent, witty, and a man of action.
Joyce Porter’s Eddie Brown is the antithesis of James Bond. The protagonist and narrator of four espionage novels, Eddie’s misadventures often lead to serious international upsets. He’s dubbed “the world’s most reluctant spy” for good reason. He’s awkward, out of shape, easily flustered, and not nearly as smooth with the ladies as he thinks he is. As the series begins, Eddie is an unenthusiastic foreign-language teacher at a fourth-rate school. Due to his skill at speaking Russian and his uncanny resemblance to a Russian agent, Eddie is recruited by a top-secret branch of the British Secret Service to perform a simple operation, and after much cajoling and many sharp threats, Eddie complies, deeply resenting being called upon to serve Queen and country. When Eddie’s working for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, very little goes right…
Over the course of the saga, Eddie blunders from one disastrous operation to another, as his handler sends him on missions that only he can handle… or is he trying to get rid of Eddie? It’s a fun series full of wacky situations and characters, turning the Cold War into a rollicking farce.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
April 2, 2021
Who The Heck Is DCI Wilfred Dover?
Who The Heck Is DCI Wilfred Dover?
In last week’s post, I mentioned that in the coming weeks I’d be covering some of the hilarious fictional characters created by the marvelous mystery writer Joyce Porter. I will now profile some of her greatest detectives.
DCI Wilfred Dover is a repulsive human being. He’s horrifically unhygienic. His well-worn suit needs cleaning. He chain-smokes. He drinks a lot. He scarfs down tons of pub grub and junk food. He’s rude, bigoted, and lazy. He hates investigating, and prefers to latch onto the nearest suspect and force a confession through force and threats. He has the sort of moustache that went out of fashion with Adolf Hitler.
And yet, for all of that, he’s a lot of fun. Despite his countless flaws, he’s a better sleuth than you’d think. As much as he resents suspects for making him question them, he has an uncanny knack for catching clues.
Porter’s Dover novels are comedies of ill-manners. They’re witty, satirizing 1960’s and 1970’s England, and derive raucous humor from awkward and over-the-top situations. It’s a great series, and one which I highly recommend.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
March 27, 2021
Who The Heck Is Joyce Porter?
Who The Heck Is Joyce Porter?
As a mystery critic, I take pleasure in publicizing terrific writers who are less well-known than they ought to be. I love the works of Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rex Stout, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Erle Stanley Gardner, but every now and then I find another, not nearly so famous crime writer, who needs some recognition.
I discovered Joyce Porter by listening to some British radio adaptations of her books. Not only does she know how to write a terrific whodunit, but she also is one of the funniest writers I’ve ever read. Porter spent the first stage of her adult life working in spycraft, before retiring and switching to writing.
She created three detectives: Inspector Dover, Scotland Yard’s laziest officer; Eddie Brown, an exceedingly reluctant spy; and the Honorable Constance Morrison-Burke (the “Hon Con”), a noblewoman who decides to start working as a private eye. (The title of this post is a riff on Who the Heck is Sylvia?, an Hon Con novel.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be profiling Porter’s great detectives. I hope my work beings her wider recognition.
So what else can I do to promote Porter’s work? Why, write a full-length literary analysis of her mysteries. It’s scheduled to come out this summer.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
March 19, 2021
Article Profile: “Did Solar Pons Inspire Saul Panzer?”
Article Profile: “Did Solar Pons Inspire Saul Panzer?”
As readers of this blog are no doubt aware, I’m a huge fan of Golden Age mysteries. I love Sherlock Holmes stories. I also really enjoy August Derleth’s pastiche of Sherlock Holmes, Solar Pons. I’m also an enthusiastic reader of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin mysteries.
My book Sherlock & Irene illustrates that I play “The Great Game,” the critical thinking and analysis exercise where mystery tales are scrutinized for hidden secrets and logical conclusions. There are many players of “The Great Game” who have found links between the Nero Wolfe and Sherlock Holmes universes, most notably theories about Wolfe’s parentage. Could there be a link between the Nero Wolfe and Solar Pons worlds? My article says “yes.”
The Pontine Dossier: Millennium Edition, Volume One Issue Two is available for sale in both a paperback and a Kindle edition.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
March 12, 2021
Interview With Celestial Echo Press
A few months ago, my short story “Raguel” was published in the anthology The Trench Coat Chronicles. I recently participated in a promotional interview with the publisher, Celestial Echo Press.
In the interview, I talk about my story, my career, my interest in short fiction, and why I write the way I do. The interview can be read on Facebook here.
The Trench Coat Chronicles is available on Kindle and in paperback as well.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
March 5, 2021
Kickstarter: “Sherlock Holmes: Stranger Than Truth”
Kickstarter: “Sherlock Holmes: Stranger Than Truth”
Are you interested in helping to fund some quality historical mystery fiction? Belanger Books, one of my publishers, specializes in releasing original works of mystery, including Sherlock Holmes pastiches. Stranger Than Fact, and its companion volume, Stranger Than Fiction, feature Sherlock Holmes solving cases featuring real-life historical figures and classic fictional characters in the public domain.
I have a story in Stranger Than Fact featuring Grace Quackenbos Humiston, a lawyer and activist known as “Mrs. Sherlock Holmes.”
If you’re interested in funding these works and getting some copies of the books and other rewards, please go to Kickstarter, take a look, and show your support! Thanks!
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
February 26, 2021
History/True Crime Article Profile: “Milwaukee’s Local Color”
History/True Crime Article Profile: “Milwaukee’s Local Color”
Two of my research interests are the history of Milwaukee and the history of journalism, and in my article for The Wisconsin Magazine of History, “Milwaukee’s Local Color: The Journal, The Green Sheet, and Its Readers,” I discuss one of the most beloved features of Milwaukee’s longtime newspaper: The Green Sheet.
What was the Green Sheet? Allow me to quote myself from my article “Bring Back the Green Sheet,” published in the magazine Gilbert!:
“The Green Sheet was a fixture of The Milwaukee Journal for many years. It was an outstanding Milwaukee tradition. It was composed of a single sheet of newsprint dyed light green. Appearing Monday through Saturday, this remarkable section was a marvelous source of information and entertainment.
Not only was it packed with comics and puzzles, but it was also stuffed with original articles on every topic under the sun. One day The Green Sheet would be filled with articles on East Indian folklore, the next day scientific stories about disease research might appear, the day after that could bring write-ups on figures from classic American fiction, coupled with short biographies of obscure real-life super sleuths. Both original and famous poetry and short fiction frequently appeared. Literate, simultaneously light and weighty, and highly respectful of its readers’ intelligence, The Green Sheet was a constant delight and an always salutary experience. It turned the comics page into high culture.”
My article covers the six-decade history of the Green Sheet, how it helped, educated, and entertained the city of Milwaukee, and why the section was cancelled. This article was written before the Green Sheet was revived in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (the result of a merger). I like to think that my efforts contributed to the quasi-renewal of the venerable section.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27th from MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
February 19, 2021
Any Suggestions?
Any Suggestions?
Hi! I’ve been writing for this blog for well over half a year now, and if there are any regular readers or visitors to this blog who have any ideas for upcoming content or any questions they’d like to ask, please let me know in the comments.
And if you’re interested in MX Publishing’s “Thank Holmes It’s Friday!” bargains, please take a look here.
Week 4 - Here are the offers valid from 9pm Thursday UK time (4pm EST) to 9am Saturday UK time (4am EST). Only one discount code can be used per customer so please pick your offer. Please consider adding a 'mystery book' to your order too as it helps us spread the postage.
Just A Dollar - Holmes Series of the Week
Shadowfall (click) - $14.95
First in the Shadow trilogy from Tracy Revels (BSI)
Offer $1 Quantity 5
Code at basket THIF-12
Sherlock Book Of The Week
Scandal In Bohemia (click) $16.95 by Petr Kopl
Award winning graphic novel - first in a series of three.
Offer $ 6.95 Quantity 5
Code at basket THIF-13
Free AudioBook of the Week
The Celtic Phoenix: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure (click) $16.95 by Kim Krisco
Offer $ free Quantity 5 US, 5 UK
First five from USA and UK to use contact us form with code THIF-14 and let us know if you would like a US or UK code.
Half Price Series of the Week
Benedict Cumberbatch - All The Biographies (click) $54.85
Offer $27.00 Quantity 5
Code at basket THIF-15
Remember that strictly while the office stocks last we have some UK Clearance Bundles left. You can buy multiple and we will try and make sure you always get new books.
We've also launched the Sherlock Holmes Book Club subscription service - anyone joining before the end of February will also get a copy of The Guide To Deduction.
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27th from MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
February 12, 2021
Kickstarter for The Cases of Sherlock Holmes and Solar Pons
Kickstarter for The Cases of Sherlock Holmes and Solar Pons
Belanger Books has been granted the rights to publish new stories feature Solar Pons, August Derleth’s affectionate pastiche of Sherlock Holmes (say the great detective’s name with a heavy lisp). Belanger Books uses Kickstarter to fund its publications, and offers great rewards if you contribute to their fundraising. Depending on how much you contribute, you can get one or both volumes of this collection in paperback or hardcover.
My story “The Wisconsin Hodag” will be in The Cases of Sherlock Holmes and Solar Pons, though I’m not sure which of the two volumes it will be in yet.
Also, this is Week Three of MX Publishing’s “Thank Holmes It’s Friday” promotion. Go here to check out some discounts on select books, and even a free ebook!
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s first book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” was released on August 27thfrom MX Publishing, and is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
