Nancy's page-to-screen mystery challenge

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Interesting review, not sure I'll search for the book though.."

I think someone really has to really want to read this novel in order to get through it. Not one I want to reread, that's for sure.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Interesting review, not sure I'll search for the book though.."

I think someone really has to really want to read this novel in order to get through it. Not one I want to reread, that..."

You've sold me.. ;0)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Next: Dark Passage, by David Goodis - loved both book and movie.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Finished Detour (1939) - both book and movie. Both quite good; post coming soon.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Finished Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, by Patrick Suskind Monday night. I was too tired after staying up reading all night to watch the movie yesterday, so I watched it first thing this morning. Book - beyond good and well beyond disturbing; and while I liked the movie, it missed the (if you'll pardon the pun) entire essence of the novel. More about both soon.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

By my count, I've finished 9 crime fiction novels on my original list and three that I hadn't listed The Blue Angel by Heinrich Mann, Fengriffen & Other Gothic Tales by David Case, and Nabokov's Despair. So far, 12 total at the year's midpoint; not too bad.

I did make a big error, though -- after reading Black Wings Has My Angel, I discovered that there has never been a film adaptation. Someone seriously needs to make a movie out of this book.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Finished Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, by Patrick Suskind Monday night. I was too tired after staying up reading all night to watch the movie yesterday, so I watched it first thin..."

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I found it disappointing. I think it was my expectations about where the story would go and I was disappointed when it didn't.. something like that anyway.. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

That used to happen to me all of the time so I finally just decided not to expect anything, and it's been sort of liberating.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

There is much to be said about reading a novel before watching the film it's based on. In this case, the book is better. Thoughts on Some Must Watch now posted:

http://www.crimesegments.com/2016/07/...

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Finished with Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters. Absolutely delightful novel. It's well over 500 pages, but the story is so engrossing that time flies while you read. The BBC adaptation is excellent as well.

[Tom]

Another group I'm in has decided to do a buddy read of In the Heat of the Night. I've seen the movie a dozen times but have never read the book. A 50th anniversary issue was published last year with a forward by John Ridley that I am interested in reading.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Another group I'm in has decided to do a buddy read of In the Heat of the Night. I've seen the movie a dozen times but have never read the book. A 50th anniversary issue was publish..."

I'll be throwing that one on to my wish list for after I recover from buying as many books as I did yesterday.

[Tom]

I just finished In the Heat of the Night: The Original Virgil Tibbs Novel. I enjoyed it but this is one of those rare cases where the movie is better. Here is my review.
★★★½ stars.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "I just finished In the Heat of the Night: The Original Virgil Tibbs Novel. I enjoyed it but this is one of those rare cases where the movie is better. Here is my review.
★★★½ stars..."

After October I'll get back to my regularly-scheduled program. Right now I am over my head.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Latest entry: I Was Jack Mortimer. I was fortunate enough to find the film and really enjoyed it.

Next up -- I don't know yet.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

The latest challenge entry is In a Lonely Place, by Dorothy B. Hughes.

Next up = The Killer Inside Me, by Jim Thompson.

[Bill]

You've had a successful year so far, Nancy

[Franky]

Nancy wrote: "The latest challenge entry is In a Lonely Place, by Dorothy B. Hughes.

Next up = The Killer Inside Me, by Jim Thompson."

I loved the book In a Lonely Place as I thought it was really getting into a criminal's head from a close vantage point, but the much lauded film with Bogart, I do say I didn't care for. Interested to hear your thoughts on In a Lonely Place.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "You've had a successful year so far, Nancy"

Nothing like seeing this only after almost two weeks! Yes, it's been very satisfying. I may do it again next year!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Franky wrote: "Nancy wrote: "The latest challenge entry is In a Lonely Place, by Dorothy B. Hughes.

Next up = The Killer Inside Me, by Jim Thompson."

I loved the book [book:In a Lone..."

Very Highsmith sort of novel, but written much earlier.

[David]

I too have wondered what the book Vertigo is based on is like. I believe it's called "D'entre Les Morts." Not even sure it's been translated into English. All I know is, Francois Truffaut said in his Hitchcock book that the authors wrote it in hopes Hitchcock would buy it, and if he didn't, the director of "Diabolique" might.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

David wrote: "I too have wondered what the book Vertigo is based on is like. I believe it's called "D'entre Les Morts." Not even sure it's been translated into English. All I know is, Francois Truffaut said in h..."

Pushkin Vertigo released an English version with the title of Vertigo, which is the edition I have. I think, however, the French title is much more indicative of what's happening in the novel. Actually, it's spot on, if you ask me.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

And in probably what is my last read for this challenge in 2016, I've finally posted about The Killer Inside Me.

I'm not stopping though; I'll be continuing to read more books that became films next year, along with a new project, tracing the history of crime fiction. I'm hoping to get as far as WWI chronologically, but who knows.

[Tom]

Thanks for all your efforts on this theme. I really enjoyed reading your input on all of these books/movies.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Thanks for all your efforts on this theme. I really enjoyed reading your input on all of these books/movies."

It was truly (going into cliché mood here) a labor of love. But thanks, Tom, that means a lot.

[Bill]

You had an interesting year, Nancy. Now you have to organize the 2017 challenges.. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "You had an interesting year, Nancy. Now you have to organize the 2017 challenges.. :)"

I can certainly do that, Bill! And it seems to me that you had a rather prolific reading year yourself!

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "You had an interesting year, Nancy. Now you have to organize the 2017 challenges.. :)"

I can certainly do that, Bill! And it seems to me that you had a rather prolific reading year yo..."

I definitely enjoyed it this past year.