About Me

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Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Friday, March 29, 2019

Thoughts on the End of Confessions of a Mystery Novelist


It is a sad week for the virtual world of crime fiction bloggers. Margot Kinberg of Confessions of a Mystery Novelist has decided to cease writing her blog. For almost 10 years Margot provided a daily post. By my calculations she wrote over 3,000 posts. She highlighted at least 500 different authors!

Beyond the high quality of her posts she was a constant source of encouragement to crime fiction bloggers around the world. I appreciated her generous spirit. She is such a positive person.

I looked forward to her posts. On my computer an icon provided instant access to her blog.

I wish Margot well as she turns her amazing energy to other interests. I am glad she will continue to visit crime fiction blogs. Her comments are another source of encouragement.

One of my favourite parts of her blog were her posts she called “flights of fancy” where she used her clever imagination to write witty posts about the fallibilities of writing. In many she used crime fiction sleuths as characters. I have consulted a number of those sleuths and they have asked me to pass on their remarks.

So many wanted to contribute I have had to winnow down the comments.

Hercule Poirot: Je suis désolé Madam Kinberg. The little grey cells can barely comprehend your absence from blogging. I had so appreciated in your blog the almost daily references to myself and, where necessary, the other characters of Mrs. Christie. At times I almost thought you knew more about my life than myself. I keep track of crime fiction blogs and I state confidently no one knew the works of Ms. Christie better than yourself. 

Nero Wolfe: Dr. Kinberg, I am bereft. I so enjoyed our interactions. I remember those satisfactory, no splendid, Christmas gatherings we shared especially with Monsieur Poirot. Your keen intelligence and tact helped me in dealing with Ms. Milhone’s love of MacDonald’s burgers when she was chosen to plan a meal. I still shudder at the thought Big Macs could have been our fate. I had always thought if I needed an independent consultant on a case, though it has never happened, that I would call on you. The spare bedroom in the brownstone and a place at my table will always be ready for you.

Kinsey Milhone: Margot, enough of those gloomy old men, I am glad you are freed from the blog. If I remember correctly you are a runner. We are not so far apart in California. I would love to have you come for a visit. We could take Henry’s dogs and have a good run on the beach. When we get back we could go over to Rosie’s for dinner. It is time I pulled out my little black dress and I am sure you have a go-to dress for a festive evening. It’ll be great. You’re not allergic to paprika are you?

Henry Standing Bear: Margot, Walt and I have had a conversation. It is time you got out of the city. I would like to take you out to the Reservation. Cheyenne people love to celebrate with our friends and we respect your thoughtful approach to books. A sweat lodge ceremony has been arranged. And Walt wanted me to tell you he has already bought a cowboy hat for you and will be buying you a Rainier at the Red Pony!

Armand Gamache: Ms. Kinberg, during our long Quebec winters Reine Marie and I looked forward to your daily posts. She said you had the mind of a librarian – her highest praise. You have always referred to Three Pines with such affection. One of your last blog posts described the houses of our village as characters. Reine Marie and I have been thinking and had a discussion with our fellow residents. We want you to come see us even though we are not on the map. Gabri and Olivier at the bistro will have café au lait and croissants ready. They guarantee you will get the table next to the fireplace. Myrna has some books she wants to show you. Ruth and Rosa are determined to greet you as you arrive. Ruth may even pen a few lines in your honour though we fear what she may say. We want you to stay with us. Marie Reine has your room ready. And Clara will do a watercolour portrait of you.

David Hasselhof: Margot, Margot, Margot. I may have made but a brief appearance in the comments on your blog as I provided “hair” advice but the Hof has not forgotten you. I have kept an eye on your blog, especially the Crime Fiction News Breaks. They were always informative and I admired how you kept track of crime fiction around the world. Congratulations on keeping up the lovely curls and just the right bounce. You may be gone from blogging but never forget you were a star, you are a star, you will always be a star!

Flavia de Luce: Mrs. Kinberg, I have appreciated that you value the presence of children in crime fiction. Too many authors exclude us from meaningful roles. And while you are not a chemist, no one is perfect, you are a scientist of words. 

Arthur Beauchamp: Ah, Margot, your very name reminds me of my beautiful Margaret who brightens and enlivens my senior years. I shall miss your erudite yet never pompous posts. Some might suggest I am an expert on pomposity. I prefer to think of my expectations of precision in the use of the Queen’s English as maintaining standards. My mornings will be lonelier without your posts. As with you I rise early in the morn to check out blogs. In the words of the immortal Juliet “parting is such sweet sorrow”. Thank you lovely lady. I am blessed to have known you through your blog.

Bart Bartkowski: As you know Margot I live about 80 km down the highway from Bill Selnes. I have been an avid reader of your blog. I admit there was not a lot to do at night when I was at our fly-in fishing camp. You may live in the city but you understand the country. What most impressed me was that you highlighted and valued authors known and unknown. My adventures as small town Saskatchewan mysteries are far from bestsellers but you included lots of examples from the series on your blog.

Joanne Kilbourn: Life will be duller without your posts Margot. I know writers are glad to have refuges where they can write in peace. I have never found a more tranquil setting than St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster here in Saskatchewan. Every year Canadian writers come for a week or more to stay at the monastery and write. The monastery is a destination of peace and serenity. Contemplation comes naturally at a monastery. Should you arrive in winter the chickadees will land upon your hand to eat a peanut. I will make sure Father Demetrius has some cookies ready for you.

All the best Margot from myself and the sleuths of our reading.

30 comments:

  1. Oh, my goodness!! A special Cheyenne ceremony? Ranier beer? A visit to the brownstone? A welcome in Three Pines? And a run on the beach with a trip to Rosie's? And so, so much more. I am speechless. And when you're a professor, that's not easy to do!! And so many, many kind words. Thanks to all of you. I can see right now that I have some exciting adventures ahead of me! Thank you all for your kind parting words, and never fear - I will follow your adventures. I'm not sure what's ahead right now; after all, as our friend Steve Solomon says, 'Sometimes in the law, and in life, you have to wing it.' But, yes, I'll be around...

    Thank you, Bill, for the lovely post. I don't quite know what to say, but I'm keeping this one...

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    1. Margot: Thanks for the comment. You are a special person. You have such a lively mind. I always look forward to your comments.

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  2. Absolutely brilliant. Enjoyed it so much and hope you did you Margot. I want to add my thanks for all your fantastic support and positive interactions with me over the last 7 years. I would not have carried on writing had it not been for your early comments about my writing which lifted me, encouraged me and sustained me. You included me in In A Word: Murder, and I am forever grateful and even being included in your video for International Women's Day - so proud to be asked and included alongside so many fab authors, including yourself. I loved having you guest on my blog with Joel Williams and I do hope you will come back and tell us about your latest books and adventures. I know you won't disappear into the ether and if I can ever repay your support and kindness by helping share your work in the future, you must let me know. I value your friendship here in cyberspace and if we ever get to meet in real life, I just know we'd have a blast...music for starters is a common interest we share. I shall miss you but I understand. We shall all miss you and I shall miss your jingle and broadcasts and finding out about new authors and books I'd love to read one day. You have been amazing and much appreciated. Don't disappear. Keep in touch and be sure that you are going to be missed and you leave a huge hole in many lives. Much success and fun whatever you do - it is bound to be something fabulous and when your new book(s) are out, call upon me to share and spread the word. It will be a privilege and an honour. Rock on Margot, Jane xx

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    1. Thank you, Jane - so very much. I value your friendship and support very much, and I couldn't be more delighted for your success with Only One Woman - fabulous! I do hope we'll meet in person at some point. Until then, we'll be connected electronically, and thanks for your offer to help support my work. I may very well take you up on that at some point. Thanks for the lovely comment!

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    2. Jane: Thank you for the kind words. Margot has been an inspiration for me as well in trying out the voices of crime fiction sleuths. I am glad the two of you have established such a good relationship.

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  3. Bill, what a beautiful post! We will all miss you Margot. You know how I feel about you and how I admire your work. Adios for now. (-This brought tears).

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    1. Thanks, Lesley - That means a lot to me...

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    2. Lesley: Thanks for the comment. I appreciate your kind words. Margot has many around the world who appreciate her.

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  4. This is a lovely post, Bill, and a good way to tell Margot how much she is appreciated. I will miss all the information Margot shared with us, and wish her well in other pursuits.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy - And don't worry, I'm not going entirely away...

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    2. TracyK: Thanks for the comment and good words. Margot had so much knowledge to share.

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  5. Thanks Bill, you've made an amazing tribute to Margot, in your own inimitable way. Her knowledge, wisdom and kindness will be missed, but I'm glad she's not taking leave of us totally.

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    1. Col: Thanks for the comment. I appreciate your generous words. You have summed up Margot in a sentence.

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  6. Thank you, Col. And have no fear - you can't get rid of me that easily...

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  7. Wow, what a great send-off! I'm so glad Bill could "arrange" to get these fab icons of great detection together to wish you well and invite you over! (Though, as Armand says, you never know what Ruth's going to write...but it's the thought that counts).

    I want to express my own thanks here, Margot. You've been such a supportive friend on my author journey - beta reading, dropping my name/books on your blog, encouraging me when I'm tearing my hair out, congratulating me on my woohoo! moments - please know I'm happy to be of help whenever you need anything, but you probably knew that already.

    Either way, you'd better keep in touch, or we mystery writers may form a posse and hunt you down in your lair! We have mad detecting skills, you know.

    Thanks so much, Bill, for putting together this fab post!

    ~Kathy

    P.S. - Concordia and Pen send their warmest regards, Margot!

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    1. Kathy: Thanks for your generous comment. You have spoken the feelings of many in your comment.

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  8. Great post, Bill. You have captured very well with your words the sense of many of us in the blogosphere.

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    1. Jose Ignacio: Thanks for the kind message. I am glad you thought I captured that sense.

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  9. Oh that's wonderful Bill - and no more than Margot deserves. What a graceful and gracious and funny and appropriate way to say goodbye to a feature that we are all going to miss so much - though I hope not goodbye to Margot herself.

    Oh - I just got a message through - some music star asking if perhaps Margot could fill in as a backing singer now she has more free time? She'd need to go touring with him, he says he never liked to ask again because he knew how important that the blogging was and feared she couldn't spare the time. Says his name is 'Billy Joel' or something like that. What shall I tell him, Margot?

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    1. Moira: Thanks for the very kind words.

      And the call from Billy Joel is brilliant! It is just perfect. Margot would let out a scream of delight to be heard across the ocean at a chance to be a backup singer for Billy. I expect she has already started packing but I will await her answer ....?

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  10. A tribute as nicely done as it is well deserved. Thanks, Bill ... and Margot.

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    1. Christophe: Thanks for the comment and your kind words. Margot has been a great blogger.

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  11. Bill's farewell is a worthy afterlude to the effort Margot put into her blog.

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  12. Margot, you've had an absolutely amazing online career and have been a source of much inspiration and support. Congrats on moving onto something new, whatever it may be
    With much affection...

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  13. Just read this. What a terrific post and how fortunate all of these detectives saluted Margot in the most fitting way. How well-deserved are all of those comments.
    To add that Margot is a terrific person, whose kindness and compassion showed up in her blog posts and replies to commenters, never annoyed that a comment could perhaps go off-topic, always welcoming and gracious. The perfect blogger.
    Best wishes for the future, and we'll be checking in over the Internet.

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    1. Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Margot is indeed a terrific person. I miss her blog greatly. I am glad she continues to comment on my blog and other blogs.

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  14. I do, too, miss her blog. She does comment on blogs and her Facebook page. She obviously is hard at work.

    She worked so hard on her blog it's a wonder she could do other work. But many of us appreciate her hard work and wonderful posts.

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    1. Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Well said on Margot.

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