There Was an Old Woman by Ellery Queen
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It was a couple dozen pages in that I knew I was in trouble. This Queen “mystery” is an unfortunate one where it’s clear the author’s knew the ending and then forced the poor constructed story.

There really is no excuse for how bad this is. Something happens very early that the Queen character would never have missed. Of course, that oversight was what the authors had to use to continue the story. Then a series of characters act as if police procedure is determined by the public. Again all to build the story. The worse part is that it’s do damned obvious. How did the duo, known as Ellery Queen, let this happen. Why did an editor not flag it. Sounds like an issue of speeding a contracted book out.

If you can view this more as a fairy tale, which isn’t hard once into the contents, then this book has some very distinct characters. Queen et al of the regular cast are written per usual with the exception that they are otherwise entirely inept in this book.

This really comes down to the horrible , obvious ending that is written as if Queen was a brilliant genius. Certainly this is the worse book I’ve read in the series.

Nevertheless, if all could be ignored, the writing is good…

Bottom line: i don’t recommend this book. 3 out of ten points.

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All inked and ready for watercolor!

This newest painting is set in an exclusive area of Brevard County in Florida. Thanks to, my friends, the Cronkhite family I was able to take photos in the area. I used those to construct this illustration. More to come!

The finished painting can be seen during the 4th Anniversary open house at The Knowledge Exchange December 4th in Palm Bay, Florida.

Had a whirlwind last three days with little rest and lots done! Sunday I inked this set of cartoons for my Swampy’s Florida site.

Inked with a PITT Brush, soft brush and Tombow Fudenosuke hard brush pen.

This is inked version of an editorial cartoon I’m working on for a client. The cartoon involves a baby being read to by Uncle Sam, as requested. This is a revision of an earlier cartoon. The original had three well known people in it and I had set them to the left due to them being recognizable and most eye catching. When the request came to swap Sam, I realized the baby would be most eye catching and so reversed the entire setting for effect and storytelling purposes.

Inked with a PITT soft brush.

This project dropped in as I drove to Lakeland Saturday afternoon and needed by Sunday night. Penciling and inking is easy. Coloring is the time eater.

This was inked with a Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen – Hard and a PITT medium pen.

Been entertaining at a private event, here, in Lakeland, Florida this evening. Now at an IHOP penciling a last minute editorial cartoon assignment for a very good cause! Part of that will likely be my Daily Inks for tomorrow.
Caricatures inked with Markettes and a Kuretake brush.

An illustration inked today while attending a meeting of a great group watching over our Florida springs, the Silver Springs Alliance.

Inked with Kuretake brush and PITT medium pen.

This is the inked ‪#‎cartoon‬ art for a coloring page that I still have to set up with border, logo and contact information. It’s for Got Candy & More in Lakeland, Florida. Great spot to get lots of homemade goodies, cup cakes & ice cream.

I couldn’t work at Got Candy! The very idea of being constantly surrounded with yummy cupcakes, homemade candy and ice cream is terrifying. That along with the obvious embezzlement of confectioneries that would send me up the river for a few terms at Raiford.

#‎DailyInks‬ #1 – Been inking ALOT today!! Easier to show a table of it! Met with pal Barbara at Axum Coffee Shop in Winter Garden, Florida, to get an illustration for her started and went from there. Lots done. Swampy’s Florida Happy cartoons, editorial cartoons, caricature, coloring page, milk cartons, etc. etc. About four hours worth. And there’s still more to do! Thanks to my new young writer friend Amira for snapping this shot!

My neighbor has been a HUGE help this past year doing many things including helping to remove a fallen tree in my front yard – a HUGE tree. During his Fall Festival (AKA Halloween) Party I participated by drawing some of his guests.

Jonathan (Above and below) told me much about himself. I decided to make this more a novelty item and have his love of Batman and dragons coalesce.

Anthony (Above) enjoys researching Christian biblical ideas.

Jennie is involved with arts and crafts from painting to making beaded jewelry.