This is a very sad day. All my Apple computers have come from Tekserve, the wonderful indy on 23rd Street–I’ve never shopped anywhere else–and today they announced that they’re closing after 30 years of providing New Yorkers with an adult alternative to McApple’s (a.k.a. The Apple Store). Continue reading
Author Archives: Tom Savage
Best. Cartoon. Ever!
The cartoons in The New Yorker have always delighted me, but this particular one by the wonderful Tom Cheney is my new favorite. Continue reading
Do I Hear A Waltz? Well, sort of…
My mom was an actress, so I grew up in a show biz household. I majored in drama in college, and I started my adult life as a professional actor and composer/lyricist before switching to my other great love, writing mystery novels. It won’t surprise you to learn that, when it comes to musical theater, the two most revered names in my house are Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. Continue reading
There Goes the Neighborhood: A Rant From Greenwich Village
Over the years, it has been the home of Edgar Allan Poe, Eugene O’Neill, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sam Shepard, Carole King, Larry Kramer, John Belushi, and Madonna. The “beat” and “hippie” movements were essentially started here, and the Beatles had a recording studio right around the corner. Today, most of these people probably wouldn’t want to live here. Continue reading
Dark Genius: Agatha Christie’s Masterpiece
I always loved to read mysteries, even as a child. When I was thirteen, I decided I was tired of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. My sister Suzy was the big mystery reader in the family, so I asked her for a good “grown-up” mystery story. She handed me AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie, but first she sealed the final chapter of her copy with tape and made a bet with me. Continue reading
Advice For Writers: Get An Agent!
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a union kind of guy. I belong to two AFL-CIO unions, four writing guilds, and ASCAP. My mom was an actress in the theater, and she was very active with Actors Equity (one of my two unions). In addition to her acting agents, she always had Continue reading
The Scene of the Crime: Russell Square Gardens
Pal.
That big man, Bill Howard’s chauffeur. Three whispered words: Be careful, Pal. How could a complete stranger possibly know about that? The car accident with no police record. The death of “John Doe.” The body lying in the morgue with a long history of health problems. A gold locket on a gold chain: Always keep me close to your heart . . .
Nora Baron stood before the fountain in Russell Square Gardens, Bloomsbury, Camden, London, England. She stared out at the dark lawn, not seeing it, possessed by a sudden panic. The fog had arrived in earnest now, swirling before her eyes, the icy tendrils clinging to everything. She could feel it, cold against her face. The trees, the lawns, the great Victorian hotel across that road, the great museum across that other one; she couldn’t see them now. She was aware only of a rhythmic pounding sound somewhere behind her, and it seemed to be coming closer. Continue reading
Hello In There: A New York Story
There is a certain nightmare that all New Yorkers have, and yesterday afternoon it came true for me. I’m not proud of it. Truth be told, I’d rather not talk about it. But I’ll tell the story on myself as a cautionary tale for the rest of you–whether or not you happen to live in New York City. Continue reading
26.8 Inches Later…
Dateline: New York City—We made it through a near-record blizzard, and here we are. 26.8 inches, the second-highest accumulation ever (after 1869!), left the city under a really thick blanket. Continue reading
Holiday Gifts For Mystery Lovers
This holiday season has brought an especially bright group of gift ideas for the mystery lover on your list. Here are a few of my personal favorites: Continue reading