Postcard Rex: The Thursday Murder Club
Sunny days, dark and stormy reads
Hi, all.
It’s been a busy year (see recent work below), so it’s time for light summer reads. And by “light” I mean morbid, but in a fun way.
The Thursday Murder Club, Richard Osman
I cackled so much during this book (and entire series) that I have been recommending it to everyone lately. Its deft handling of the quirks of aging, generational gaps, and the pace of present-day life mixed with a retirement village murder mystery are reminiscent of a modern day Miss Marple—but with four distinctive, well-drawn friends instead of just one sleuth.
If you like it
Seicho Matsumoto’s Inspector Imanishi Investigates is more serious in tone than Osman’s series, but offers a similarly fascinating unraveling of murder, cultural norms, and human character.
If you don’t
If you prefer true crime, try David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon—a moving and horrifying account of early 20th century Osage history and its ongoing legacy.
Things I’ve written lately:
Architectural, California, and museum history; gardens in extreme heat; more house museums; why 1984 still matters; and a smattering of local food/wine in CA/UT. Enjoy!
Troubled waters: what is the future of the swimming pool?, Financial Times
At 200 years old, the London National Gallery is redefining what it means to be a national museum, Smithsonian Magazine
Inside the underground garden of Baldassare Forestiere, Financial Times
House museums series: Eugene O’Neill, Financial Times
House museums series: Casa Guidi (home of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning), Financial Times
House museums series: Jules Verne, Financial Times
What does George Orwell’s 1984 mean in 2024?, Smithsonian Magazine
There’s a better way to teach the California Gold Rush, Smithsonian Magazine
Santa Monica Canyon’s architectural gems, Waves Magazine
A guide to Santa Monica’s wine scene, Waves Magazine
Zibby’s Bookshop: Santa Monica’s new literary hub, Waves Magazine
Mountain Town Olive Oil celebrates 15 years of flavor, Park City Magazine
Chef Guillermo Tellez takes on a delicious new challenge, Park City Magazine
Meyer Gallery changes ownership, continues artistic legacy, Park City Magazine
Email if you want a PDF for any of the paywalled ones!