Author Archives: Brian Bixby

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About Brian Bixby

I enjoy history because it helps me understand people. I'm writing fiction for much the same reason.

Chapter 21 of Martha’s Children, and the college trip

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Detective Sherlock Kammen is willing to trail his boss to find out where Martha and her sorceress are. But how far will he go when the trail leads to one of Ned’s family members? Find out in “Happy in this, … Continue reading →

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The Goths (gothic writers, that is): twin birthdays

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Tuesday, July 9,  is another twin birthday of significance for readers of this blog. Two famous writers of gothic novels, Mrs. Radcliffe (1764-1823), author of The Mysteries of Udolpho, and “Monk” Lewis (1775-1818), nicknamed for his most popular work, The Monk, were … Continue reading →

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Chapter 20 of Martha’s Children, and a few thoughts on the Dresden Files

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Like Ned O’Donnell, Sherlock Kammen has a favorite sister . . . well, in his case, his only sister. Kate (née Hecate) has always been the older, more sophisticated sister, the one member of the family who moves among the rich … Continue reading →

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A few good words about time travel: two books, du Maurier and Riggs

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Having just trashed time travel in a previous post, I thought I’d cover two books that use it in unusual ways as a plot device, one book an old favorite, the other a recent book I’ve just read. The old … Continue reading →

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Chapter 19 of Martha’s Children, and the Vampire Bureau star design

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Brian Bixby

WARNING! This post actually says something about this chapter! “I never did repent for doing good,” but in chapter 19 of Martha’s Children, it seems no good deed goes unpunished. The intrusion of sorcerers into the affairs of the would-be vampire … Continue reading →

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Priscilla’s lament

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Brian Bixby

I rise, I walk, I do my job. I will not see the spring. I eat, I drink, I meet my friends. I will not see the spring. The brown leaves fall as I walk by. I will not see … Continue reading →

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Chapter 18 of Martha’s Children, and time travel

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Brian Bixby

In the last episode, Sherlock Kammen got ventilated, by bullets, that is, so we need a new narrator. Sally Truax, Internal Affairs’s finest, steps up to the plate to tell us what happened after she shot up her sometime lover, … Continue reading →

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A short story, “The Misplaced Voyage”

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Brian Bixby

One hundred and nine years have passed in the Sillyverse since Rebecca Farnsworth Maxwell wielded her magical walking stick in The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge. It is 1995, and Geoffrey MacAlpine, Professor of Magic and Occult Studies, is bringing two of … Continue reading →

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Chapter 17 of Martha’s Children, and the Walker Report

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Brian Bixby

In “To unburden all my plots and purposes,” chapter 17 of Martha’s Children, Sherlock Kammen finds out more about how Martha and sorcerers may affect his chances to get back on the police force. And for all you women’s libbers, as … Continue reading →

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You’ll be missed, Iain (M.) Banks

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Just saw the news this morning about the death of Iain Banks yesterday, at age 59 (1954-2013). Banks was one of the living science fiction writers I wanted to meet; now I’ll never have the chance. And we won’t see … Continue reading →

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