iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 24m

WELCOME, OCTOBER: “Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” -- Humbert Wolfe (Artist: Elena Morozova)

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 16h

Happy Birthday Michael Innes, 1906, Edinburgh. Born J.I.M. Stewart, he taught in universities all over the world (ending up at Oxford), and between 1936 and 1986, he penned 50 crime novels as Michael Innes. Light and witty, his Inspector Appleby novels are not only a delight but a vocabulary lesson.

131

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 20h

auntagathas.com/aa/katherine... This gentle espionage novel set in 1950s Cambridge comes out next week. A fun read.

0107

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Happy Birthday to the great Elizabeth Peters, 1927, Canton, Illinois. The incredibly prolific writer - born Barbara Mertz - also wrote as Barbara Michaels. As Michaels, she wrote novels of gothic suspense; as Peters, she wrote the Vicky Bliss, Jacqueline Kirby and Amelia Peabody books.

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/tamara-be... This fun read comes out next week. Tamara Berry is one of the funnier writers around.

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Happy Birthday Ellis Peters, 1913, Horsehay, Shopshire, UK. The groundbreaking historical mystery novelist is best known today for her 20 book series featuring Brother Cadfael, the medieval mystery solving monk. Peters was awarded both a Diamond Dagger and an Edgar for her work.

120

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/mariah-fr... This book is an absolute, pure delight. Out next week.

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.” ― Edith Sitwell (Artist: Albert Ràfols-Casamada, 1923)

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. Original pub date 1947. This title is also known as FIRE IN THE SNOW.

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

“The hand of bone and sinew and flesh achieves its immortality in taking up a pen. The hand on a page wields a greater power than the fleshly hand ever could in life.” ― Laurie R. King, A Letter of Mary

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. Original pub date 1930.

030

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Happy Birthday Richard Lockridge, 1898, St. Joseph, Missouri. With his wife, Frances, he wrote several series, the most well known being the Mr. and Mrs. North novels. The books were adapted for stage, film, radio and television.

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/andrea-pe... Out next week - another adventure in Regency London for Wrexford & Sloane. Review by Vicki Kondelik.

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

“This was a woman who didn’t just go to bed with a book. She went to bed with a library.” ― Anthony Horowitz, The Sentence is Death (Artist: Frances Featherstone)

030

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Happy Birthday to the always delightful Rhys Bowen, 1941, Bath, UK. The prolific author is responsible for both the Molly Murphy and Lady Georgie books, as well as a string of wonderful stand alone novels. She is a treasure in the mysterious universe!

001

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/leslie-me... Our reviewer Cathy Akers-Jordan says this is "a cozy to get you in the Christmas spirit." Out next week!

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

“Pamela looked at his retreating back with admiration. He represented the backbone of Britain at this moment. A skinny, awkward bookworm, yet determined to keep going for as long as it took to defeat Hitler.” ― Rhys Bowen, In Farleigh Field

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/cleo-coyl... Love this series, and so does our reviewer, Cathy Akers-Jordan. Out next week!

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. for this 1933 short story collection.

181

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/ann-cleev... As always, Ann Cleeves' storytelling is exquisite. Out next week.

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

"The real gladiators of the world are so humble in their origins and unremarkable in appearance that when we stand next to them in a grocery-store line, we never guess how brightly their souls can burn in the dark." ~ James Lee Burke

030

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Throwback to 2010...the night before the Kerrytown Bookfest at the downtown library with Doug Allyn and Loren Estleman. We were honoring Loren that year - Doug's interview with him the next day was a blast.

040

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/dianne-fr... Out next week - a new Countess of Harleigh mystery! Christmas reads are looking excellent this year. Review by Vicki Kondelik.

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Danish edition of "Nancy's Mysterious Letter"

030

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

"No - stop. Really look at it. Then give me your honest opinion." Wary, I meet Raymond's eye. Does he mean this? The percentage of the population that welcomes an honest opinion is statistically negligible." -- MURDER ON 34th STREET, Mariah Fredericks

022

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Happy Birthday Laurie R.King, 1952, Oakland, California. The beloved creator of the now classic Mary Russell books, King is one of the most enjoyable of all mystery writers. THE BEEKEEPERS APPRENTICE (1994) is an absolute classic. Long may she wield her pen!

040

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

GREAT DESCRIPTION DEPT: "Just because the man looked like Milton's ruined archangel and chose to appear in the hall like the Demon King through a trap-door, it didn't necessarily mean that I had to smell sulphur." -- NINE COACHES WAITING, Mary Stewart

140

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. Original pub date 1957. This particular installment was ghost written by Harriet S. Adams, as "Carolyn Keene" was a shared pen name.

011

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

"In a book you become the character...I am Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Grant, Harriet Vane, or Lord Peter Wimsey. I am astute rather than scattered. I am wise rather than wearing. I am never alone and, most certainly, never lonely." -- THE UNDERCOVER BOOKSHOP, Katherine Reay

021

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Happy Birthday Robert B. Parker, 1932, Springfield, Massachussetts. The creator of the stong but tough Boston private eye, Spenser, his enjoyable books are endlessly re-readable and endlessly influential. If you think of a wiseracking private eye with a sidekick, Spenser is the origin.

120

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

“I love books. I really, really love them. There's something special about bringing people and books together.” ― Margaret Truman, Murder at the Library of Congress

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Happy Birthday Peter Falk, 1927, New York City. Falk had a long and distinguished career but mystery fans love him best for his portrayal of Lt. Columbo in the long running series. One more thing....cake toast!

131

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

"The girls in my books are out solving their own problems." -- Phyllis A. Whitney

060

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Happy Birthday to the Queen of Crime, the inventor of all tropes, the creator of classic characters, Agatha Christie, 1890, Torquay. Thank you ma'am.

051

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We hope you'll join us this week! We're launching a series of conversations featuring Agatha winners and nominees. You can register here www.malicedomestic.net/malice-with-...

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. Original pub date 1929.

040

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/tasha-ale... Happy news: a new Lady Emily is out next week. Unhappy news: it's the last one in this wonderful, classic series. A toast to one of my favorite mystery series & mystery writers. Review by Vicki Kondelik.

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"The telephone jingled and I pounced on it like a skinny cat pounces on a fat canary. Hangover or no hangover, no one should underestimate the reflexes of a Chicago private detective two months in arrears on his office rent." -- Ross Spencer, Monastery Nightmare (1986)

060

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

auntagathas.com/aa/michelle-... The second book in this charming series arrives Tuesday. Make sure you grab a copy!

000

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

We enter the world of the story, delighted to go through that reliable and recognizable portal of promise, the magical words “Once upon a time.” ― Paula Munier (Artist: Arthur Rackham)

051

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

“The secret belongs only to the Maker of good and faithful dogs.” ― John Buchan (Artist: George Vernon Stokes)

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Celebrating Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - created in 1941, still going strong. This 1958 cover for the Australian edition featured some heavy hitters within the covers, including Queen himself.

072

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

“Every time he came home, Dawson felt a surge of thankfulness, like the swell of a wave. The little house was a sanctuary, armor against the wickedness of the crime he dealt with every day...His police sense had led him to burglarproof the house to the extreme.” CHILDREN OF THE STREETS, Kwei Quartey

110

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Happy Birthday Peter Lovesey, 1936, Whitton, UK. The king of the elegant and tricky plot, he wrote (among others) the long running Peter Diamond series. He wrote some of the finest stand alones ever written (in my opinion), including ROUGH CIDER, THE FALSE INSPECTOR DEW, and THE REAPER.

150

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"She'd often tried to fathom what it took to be a detective, a person obliged to look behind hedges and ditches and through the walls of houses, stripping away the veils of propriety and convention to find a world of strange and untidy reality." - LAKE OF SORROWS, Erin Hart (2004)

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Happy Birthday Phyllis A. Whitney, 1903, Yokohama, Japan. The author of over 70 novels, for both adults and young people, she was one of the queens of gothic suspense. She won two Edgars for her young adult books and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1990.

020

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Cover contrast dept. Original pub date 1946.

010

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Increase your word power. Words are the raw material of our craft. The greater your vocabulary the more effective your writing. We who write in English are fortunate to have the richest and most versatile language in the world. Respect it." - one of P.D. JAMES' Rules for Writing.

052

Robin Agnew @robinagnew.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"All detective work is sneaking. That's why only gentleman and cads can do it." -- THE RISING OF THE MOON, Gladys Mitchell (1945)

020