The Strand Mistery Magazine

2 months ago | strandmag.com | Andrew Gulli

Top 10 Storyboards in Alfred Hitchcock’s FilmsBy Tony Lee MoralAlfred Hitchcock’s mastery of suspense wasn’t just in his direction but in his meticulous planning. Long before a scene was shot, he had already envisioned it through storyboards, ensuring that every frame contributed to the mounting suspense and tension. In my new book, Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards, I explore this crucial yet often overlooked aspect of his filmmaking process.

Jan 16, 2025 | strandmag.com | Andrew Gulli

In The Astronomer, Brian Biswas weaves a captivating blend of magical realism and existential inquiry across a tapestry of short stories. The novel opens with a prologue that sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, introducing Martin Pasqual, a professor at the University of Illinois. During a meeting of the Peoria Astronomical Society, Pasqual encounters the enigmatic Franz Herbert, an older professor whose almost mystical aura intrigues him.

Nov 7, 2024 | strandmag.com | Andrew Gulli

When Fiction and True Crime Collide: The Lore––and Lure––of Notorious Unsolved Crimesby Bonnie KistlerReaders often describe the plots of my novels as “ripped from the headlines.” I prefer to think they were ripped out of my own imagination, but it is true that my books usually touch on topics that are part of the current zeitgeist. But that’s not true of a key plot point in my latest, Shell Games. Far from being ripped from the headlines, that detail was unearthed from the archives.

Sep 21, 2024 | strandmag.com | Andrew Gulli

The Story Behind G.K. Chesterton’s Lost Manuscript by Dale AhlquistTo find an unpublished G.K. Chesterton manuscript is something of a miracle. Chesterton, one of the most prolific writers of all time, seems to epitomize the kind of author with “never an unpublished thought.” He never wasted what he wrote.

Aug 28, 2024 | strandmag.com | Andrew Gulli

My Top 10 R.L. Stine Booksby Vincent RalphR.L. Stine is an undeniable legend of teen horror, and anyone who grew up reading his books is likely to have long-buried nightmares caused by one of his many terrifying creations. Stine wrote so many books that no two people are likely to agree on the order of his very best, but here are my top ten stories that had so many of us checking under the bed before finally turning off our lights.