Archive for February 2022
“But, Sister, what if … ”
by David Benjamin “… There’s a limbo moon above/ You will fall in limbo love…” — Chubby Checker MADISON, Wis. — According to a shocking news bulletin, there are deacons in Catholic churches from Michigan to Arizona—and God only knows where else—performing counterfeit baptisms. Over the years, this scandal has affected hundreds, perhaps thousands of…
Read MoreThe allure of formula in mystery prose
The allure of formula in mystery prose Formula is the resort of the mediocre writer. It is, however, a resort visited occasionally by even the best of authors, especially when a story — faithful at first to formula — veers off the hackneyed path and springs a surprise. The two genres most subject to formula……
Read MorePsycho 1: The summit meeting we’d like to see
by David Benjamin “Potential criminal defendants who are prosecuted on more recent, ‘easier’ grounds are not necessarily brought to justice on each and every instance of wrongdoing. Al Capone famously went to prison for tax evasion, not for his violent crimes.” — Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post SOMEWHERE OFF ROUTE 1, FREDERICKSBURG, Va.— They had maintained scrupulous…
Read MoreConfessions of a love bombardier
by David Benjamin “One partner, typically male but not exclusively, showers the other person with attention, affection, compliments, flattery, and essentially creates this context where she feels like she’s met her soul mate…” — Chitra Raghavan, professor of psychology, John Jay College MADISON, Wis. — Apparently, one can nowadays sexually harass someone remotely by means…
Read MoreDodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge
by David Benjamin “You could be walking around lucky, and not even know it.” — Jay Trotter (Richard Dreyfuss) Let It Ride MADISON, Wis. — As I left a little Cape Cod movie house after my first viewing of Breaking Away, I sensed (dimly) that I’d just seen one of my favorite flicks of all…
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