The Galton Case Part Seven

by | Jan 29, 2023 | Blog Posts, The Galton Case

                              “IT’S ALL ONE CASE”       This quote from Macdonald reminds us of how he viewed his mature fiction.  It was more than a matter of economy.  In his best work, everything is related.  Diversions and dead ends are not what...

The Galton Case Part Six

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Blog Posts, The Galton Case

                       SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR—LITERALLY     The first five chapters have moved along briskly, and in a relatively few pages Macdonald has laid out the mystery.  But it’s been relatively static.  The plot has been advanced by a series of...

The Galton Case Part Five

by | Jan 19, 2023 | Blog Posts, The Galton Case

            LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES                                 (And Not in a Fun Way)     Mrs. Galton is what we expect—imperious, manipulative, self-centered and willful.  And those are only her good qualities.  She browbeats everyone...

The Galton Case Part Four

by | Jan 14, 2023 | Blog Posts, The Galton Case

                               “A RATHER HOPELESS CASE”       In his study, Sable outlines the task to Archer: Sable represents Maria Galton, the matriarch of the Galton family, now 73, widowed, and in poor health. (Fun fact—according to Michael...

The Galton Case Part Three

by | Jan 9, 2023 | Blog Posts, The Galton Case

                         ROSS MACDONALD CAN BE VERY FUNNY                                                A Brisk and Entertaining Start When we think of humor in the detective story, names like Donald Westlake, Parnell Hall, and Carl Hiaasen come to...