Michael Allan Mallory

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
About Me:
I'm an English Lit major who's worked with computer systems and networks for over twenty years. I read books on history, nature and animals, and fiction, mainly mysteries. I live with my wife, Cathy, and two cats---one who thinks he’s a dog and the other who thinks he’s a rooster.

I study and used to teach wing chun kung fu, and study Chen style tai chi chuan.

My debut mystery novel "Death Roll" (with Marilyn Victor) was published this year. It features the first zoologist sleuth in Lavender "Snake" Jones.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://www.snakejones.com
Books And Authors I Like:
"Captain Blood" by Raphael Sabatini (1922) is one of my favorite books of all times. A swashbucker. Full of wit and adventure. I re-read it every few years.
"The Crooked Hinge" by John Dickson Carr (1938) My favorite book by one of the great mystery authors of all time. I have a fondness for the authors from the Golden Age. Carr is still my favorite mystery writer.
"Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie (1934). Brilliant concept, executed with style.
"The Maltest Falcon" by Dashiell Hammet (1930). The quintessential American P.I. novel.
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. Powerful book written by one of the greats.
"Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand (2001). Perhaps the best book I've read in the last twenty years. Wonderfully written story about a fascinating group of men and an amazing horse who was one of the greatest atheletes of the Twentieth Century. Hillenbrand writes this history like a novel, putting you in the jockey's saddle with breathtaking prose. The movie didn't do the story justice.
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The master.
There are many contemporary authors whose works I enjoy but I hesitate to list some here for concern about omitting the works of acquaintences.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
"The Maltese Falcon" with Humphrey Bogart. (1941. The perfect detective film.
"The Thin Man" with William Powell (1934) Another Hammet book made into an excellent film.
"The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) My favoirte movie of all time.
"The Guns of Navarone" (1961) Best WW II action movie ever made.

Comment Wall:

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  • Mari Sloan

    I'm VERY lucky! I get to hug Sue Ann once a month, at the SinC/LA meeting here. To see a picture of one of my Sue Ann hugs, check out the the pictures from the LA Festival of Books on www.beaufortfalls.com . You can't BE luckier than to have Sue Ann around.

    I've been to your website and I'm going back now to check out the photos. Thanks!

    Mari

    Jan 3, 2008

  • Mari Sloan

    I see you had Denise Hamilton at your conference, too. When I met Denise at the LA Festival of Books, I'd just finished reading her book, purchased by me at the local drug store. I gushed! You ARE what I want to be! I told her. I want someone to be able to buy my book at Longs, someday!

    She's a sweetheart. She gave me a bookbag. LOLOL

    Since then I've met, and spoken with, several of the San Francisco authors who are also GREAT writers. Cara Black, Laurie R. King, Tim Maleeny and Steve Brewer all came down for the California Mystery Writers/SinC/LA Christmas party and I find myself buying and reading about as many books as I'm selling right now. Laurie R. King is an incredible writer, (To Play the Fool) and I have Cara Black's book in the line-up. If I don't stop buying books I'll have a hard time finishing my sequel. I like having the opportunity to read wonderful new fiction as well as writing.

    Jan 3, 2008

  • bruceforester

    That is I trhink the point. Life constantly interferes with our passions. We all try try try and some do it.. Most can not Can I . I do not know. BruceF

    Jan 4, 2008