Thursday, July 30, 2026
David Levine on writers: Arthur Conan Doyle
David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear.
First Lines: Barbara Kingsolver
Imagine a ruin so strange it must never have happened.
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Review: "The Tailor," Tim Sullivan
By Liz Soares
I broke a personal rule when I began The Tailor. It is the 8th in the DS George Cross series, and I had only read the first one.
But the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s e-copy was too good to pass up, as I had thoroughly enjoyed The Dentist So I took my chances, and was not sorry I did.
Cross is “on the spectrum.” He is ruled by routine and literal in his outlook on life and his dealings with others. His ability to laser-focus serves him well as a detective, and he does try (without much success) to understand his fellow humans.
Although Cross leads a quiet personal life, it has evolved, a little, since his first case. However, it was easy to catch up on the changes at home and the station over the past books.
His former partner, Josie, is now a detective inspector. Alice Mackenzie, who was a sort of civilian employee, is now a fully fledged detective constable. She is partnered with Cross and is now better equipped to deal with his quirky ways. For example, she attaches a luggage tracking device to his bicycle, so she can locate him when he leaves the station without telling her. As he is wont to do.
The series is solid police procedurals that focus on victims with what I think of as taglines—a politician, a monk, an ex-wife, etc. The books are quiet, but not cozy, and well-paced.
The case at hand involves a man found dead on a train to London. Billy Titcomb ran a bespoke tailoring service with his twin sister, Gwen. He was en route to the airport for a flight to Dubai, but the expensive suits he was bringing to his exclusive clients are nowhere to be found.
Cross, though by no means a flashy dresser, is intrigued by the process of personal tailoring. It involves so much detail, which he likes. Moreover, though expensive, the suits last for years, and are ultimately a cost-effective choice.
He ends up buying one, though he almost doesn’t make it through the fitting.
Cross’ obsession with tailoring doesn’t distract him him from the case. He burrows into the case with his usual bulldog tenacity. He wonders about Billy’s wife, Min, a brilliant, driven Chinese national wih a cool demeanor. But was Billy himself involved in some sort of shady dealings? What secrets could those missing suits possibly hold?
As he closes in on the truth, Cross is abducted (off his bike) and held captive. The resulting scenes are both unnerving and darkly humorous.
George is a fascinating and ultimately likable character. Like his coworkers, upon his return to the station after his ordeal, I give him, and this series, a standing ovation.
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I read The Tailor as an advance reader’s copy provided by GroveAtlantic through NetGalley. It will be published on August 11, 2026.
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