1,016 books
—
3,643 voters
“The Lord of the Rings is a million times more interesting than mere literature, which is why mere literary critics cannot get to grips with it.”
―
―
“Because I'm too old for tragedy. I like a nice happy ending too.”
― Point of Impact
― Point of Impact
“from the short story, Cielo Azul
“Harry, get an ambulance.”
I stood up and stepped back from the scene. I felt my chest growing tight, a clarity of thought coming over me. In all my years I had spoken for the dead many times. I had avenged the dead. I was at home with the dead. But I had never so clearly had a part in pulling someone away from the outstretched hands of death.
And in that moment I knew we had done just that. And I knew that whatever happened afterward and wherever my life took me, I would always have this moment, that it would be a light that could lead me out of the darkest of tunnels.”
― Suicide Run
“Harry, get an ambulance.”
I stood up and stepped back from the scene. I felt my chest growing tight, a clarity of thought coming over me. In all my years I had spoken for the dead many times. I had avenged the dead. I was at home with the dead. But I had never so clearly had a part in pulling someone away from the outstretched hands of death.
And in that moment I knew we had done just that. And I knew that whatever happened afterward and wherever my life took me, I would always have this moment, that it would be a light that could lead me out of the darkest of tunnels.”
― Suicide Run
“When a book, any sort of book, reaches a certain intensity of artistic performance, it becomes literature. That intensity may be a matter of style, situation, character, emotional tone, or idea, or half a dozen other things. It may also be a perfection of control over the movement of a story similar to the control a great pitcher has over the ball. That is to me what you have more than anything else and more than anyone else. . . .
The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordi-nary qualities. Perry Mason is the perfect detective because he has the intellectual approach of the juridical mind and at the same time the restless quality of the adventurer who won’t stay put. I think he is just about perfect. So let’s not have any more of that phooey about
“as literature my stuff still stinks.” Who says so—William Dean Howells?
Raymond Chandler to Erle Stanley Gardner, 1946”
― Nice and Noir: Contemporary American Crime Fiction
The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordi-nary qualities. Perry Mason is the perfect detective because he has the intellectual approach of the juridical mind and at the same time the restless quality of the adventurer who won’t stay put. I think he is just about perfect. So let’s not have any more of that phooey about
“as literature my stuff still stinks.” Who says so—William Dean Howells?
Raymond Chandler to Erle Stanley Gardner, 1946”
― Nice and Noir: Contemporary American Crime Fiction
“They were wise in their own skills, but most of them seemed to think that that made them wise in everything, which did not appear to be the case.”
― Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another
― Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another
Reading the Detectives
— 2281 members
— last activity 19 minutes ago
Our group reads vintage British mysteries from the Golden Age and beyond. In 2025 and 2026 our challenge is Christie's Detectives: Poirot vs Marple. W ...more
Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers
— 25669 members
— last activity 14 hours, 0 min ago
Welcome! Join us for our monthly group reads. We read Crime stories, Mysteries, & Thrillers. ...more
A Good Thriller
— 21598 members
— last activity 1 hour, 54 min ago
Action packed gripping, exciting and tense thrillers, mysteries, that's what we like reading. So many great authors out there to read. Let's share our ...more
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
— 31877 members
— last activity 43 minutes ago
“It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled across the sky. Rain spattered a mysterious, hooded stranger who peered over the ...more
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
— 41656 members
— last activity 29 minutes ago
Hi there! SFFBC is a welcoming place for readers to share their love of speculative fiction through group reads, buddy reads, challenges, ...more
Bicky’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Bicky’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Bicky
Lists liked by Bicky






























































