Mal Warwick
@bookishq.bsky.social
I post book reviews on my blog, Mal Warwick on Books, 3-4 times per week. Nonfiction, mysteries & thrillers, and some science fiction. There is now a total of 2,300 online.
This century-old mystery continues to confound many of Agatha Christies millions of readers.
#mystery #historicalfiction #agathachristie
#mystery #historicalfiction #agathachristie
The abiding mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance
Next to William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie was the bestselling author of all time. Not even J. K. Rowling, Danielle Steele, or James Patterson come even
malwarwickonbooks.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This century-old mystery continues to confound many of Agatha Christies millions of readers.
#mystery #historicalfiction #agathachristie
#mystery #historicalfiction #agathachristie
Sometimes fiction can give us insight into historical figures or events that have gained distorted reputations over the years. This novel is a great example.
#historicalfiction #machiavelli #novel #italy
#historicalfiction #machiavelli #novel #italy
Niccolo Machiavelli, private eye
If you've read The Prince, you probably think you know the work of Niccolo Machiavelli. Chances are, you think of him—as I always did—as the Renaissance
malwarwickonbooks.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Sometimes fiction can give us insight into historical figures or events that have gained distorted reputations over the years. This novel is a great example.
#historicalfiction #machiavelli #novel #italy
#historicalfiction #machiavelli #novel #italy
Sometimes the people who have the greatest impact on history are overshadowed by those who wield authority over them . . . or are simply good at public relations. That's the case with this brave soldier who did far more to liberate the Philippines than Douglas MacArthur.
#WWII #Philippines
#WWII #Philippines
MacArthur was not the hero of the Philippines. This man was.
For most Americans, the enduring image of World War II in the Philippines is the iconic shot of General Douglas MacArthur wading onto the shore of Leyte
malwarwickonbooks.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Sometimes the people who have the greatest impact on history are overshadowed by those who wield authority over them . . . or are simply good at public relations. That's the case with this brave soldier who did far more to liberate the Philippines than Douglas MacArthur.
#WWII #Philippines
#WWII #Philippines
Belinda Bauer writes off-beat mysteries that for years she didn't believe were crime novels. They are, of course. Good ones. They just don't fit the mold of the run-of-the-mill whodunit or detective thriller.
#mystery #murdermystery #crime #asperger's
#mystery #murdermystery #crime #asperger's
This slow-burning thriller will haunt you for years
When Belinda Bauer won the top British award for crime fiction for her debut novel, she told a reporter she was surprised the Crime Writer's Association
malwarwickonbooks.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Belinda Bauer writes off-beat mysteries that for years she didn't believe were crime novels. They are, of course. Good ones. They just don't fit the mold of the run-of-the-mill whodunit or detective thriller.
#mystery #murdermystery #crime #asperger's
#mystery #murdermystery #crime #asperger's
The late Graham Greene parlayed a stint in MI6 during World War iI into a successful career as a spy novelist in later years. This book is one of the products. MI6 does not come off well.
#espionage #spynovel #MI6 #mole #treason
#espionage #spynovel #MI6 #mole #treason
A peculiarly British mole hunt in MI6
In the years following World War II, the emerging Cold War took on global dimensions. Then Britain, still clung on to its far-flung empire,. And the
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The late Graham Greene parlayed a stint in MI6 during World War iI into a successful career as a spy novelist in later years. This book is one of the products. MI6 does not come off well.
#espionage #spynovel #MI6 #mole #treason
#espionage #spynovel #MI6 #mole #treason
If you've noticed that some words in French, or German, or Italian resemble familiar words in English, then you've got a taste of how many languages are related to one another. But in fact there are more than 400 languages related to English. This book explains how that came about.
#language
#language
How one ancient language became English, French, Swedish, Russian, and Hindi
Chances are slim that you can read or understand spoken Russian, Swedish, or Hindi. But, believe it or not, English is related to all three languages—and
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
If you've noticed that some words in French, or German, or Italian resemble familiar words in English, then you've got a taste of how many languages are related to one another. But in fact there are more than 400 languages related to English. This book explains how that came about.
#language
#language
One of the best series of historical mystery novels I've coime across in recent years are these detective stories set in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the 1920s. They're great mysteries, and great historical fiction.
#India #historicalfiction #detectivenovel #murdermystery
#India #historicalfiction #detectivenovel #murdermystery
Hollywood meets the British Raj in post-WWI India
Captain Sam Wyndham, late of the Western Front in World War I, had made powerful enemies in the Imperial Police in Calcutta, where he transferred after
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
One of the best series of historical mystery novels I've coime across in recent years are these detective stories set in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the 1920s. They're great mysteries, and great historical fiction.
#India #historicalfiction #detectivenovel #murdermystery
#India #historicalfiction #detectivenovel #murdermystery
So many of us are fascinated by Henry VIII and his times. This superb history explains how he came to rule England.
#englishhistory #henryviii #historybooks
#englishhistory #henryviii #historybooks
Don't call it "the Wars of the Roses"
Even if your knowledge of English history is sketchy at best, you're likely to have heard of the Norman Conquest, the Black Death . . . and the Wars of
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
So many of us are fascinated by Henry VIII and his times. This superb history explains how he came to rule England.
#englishhistory #henryviii #historybooks
#englishhistory #henryviii #historybooks
This series of Chinese detective novels offers more insight into contemporary China than most of the nonfiction books published in recent years. Because to understand the country today, you have to know how it got to be the way it is.
#detectivenovel #mystery #China #murdermystery
#detectivenovel #mystery #China #murdermystery
Inspector Chen struggles to survive an attack from the Party
Homicide detective Chen Cao has risen to the formidable posts of Chief Inspector, head of the Special Investigations Squad, and Deputy Secretary of the
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
This series of Chinese detective novels offers more insight into contemporary China than most of the nonfiction books published in recent years. Because to understand the country today, you have to know how it got to be the way it is.
#detectivenovel #mystery #China #murdermystery
#detectivenovel #mystery #China #murdermystery
Rare is the veteran novelist who fails to mine the riches of ancient Greek myths and stories. Here, in an excellent contemporary example, is a science fiction rendering of the story of the Oracle of Delphi transported into the world we know today.
#sciencefiction #sci-fi #Greekmyth
#sciencefiction #sci-fi #Greekmyth
Did the ancient Greeks make First Contact?
We humans are a race of storytellers. Over the course of the 300,000 years that we have commanded the power of speech, we have huddled in caves, sat
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Rare is the veteran novelist who fails to mine the riches of ancient Greek myths and stories. Here, in an excellent contemporary example, is a science fiction rendering of the story of the Oracle of Delphi transported into the world we know today.
#sciencefiction #sci-fi #Greekmyth
#sciencefiction #sci-fi #Greekmyth
Among the many unfortunate changes the Trump Administration has forced upon us, one of the most consequential was probably the disruption unleashed by Elon Musk's "DOGE" rampage through the Federal bureaucracy. This new book ably tells how it came about.
#donaldtrump #siliconvalley #elonmusk
#donaldtrump #siliconvalley #elonmusk
How Elon Musk and his tech bros went nuts over Donald Trump
In 1998, three ambitious Silicon Valley entrepreneurs established a startup called PayPal. These three hustlers—Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, and Luke
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Among the many unfortunate changes the Trump Administration has forced upon us, one of the most consequential was probably the disruption unleashed by Elon Musk's "DOGE" rampage through the Federal bureaucracy. This new book ably tells how it came about.
#donaldtrump #siliconvalley #elonmusk
#donaldtrump #siliconvalley #elonmusk
Here's the latest from a former CIA field officer writing about his area of expertise: the politics of the Middle East. The tradecraft is fascinating. Chances are slim you've ever read a spy novel like this one.
#espionage #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel
#espionage #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel
A Persian Jew blunders into trouble working as an Israeli agent
Pick up a spy novel in English at random, and chances are it's about the CIA, the KGB, British intelligence, or some combination of them. But here's one
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Here's the latest from a former CIA field officer writing about his area of expertise: the politics of the Middle East. The tradecraft is fascinating. Chances are slim you've ever read a spy novel like this one.
#espionage #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel
#espionage #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel
The battle headlined in this moving account was a minor sideshow in World War II. But the unit that fought it for the Allies—the US 2nd Ranger Battallion—deserves recognition for its singular contribution to overall victory, especially on D-Day.
#WWII #specialoperations #NaziGermany #Rangers
#WWII #specialoperations #NaziGermany #Rangers
World War II viewed through the story of one courageous battalion
Sixteen million people served in the United States armed forces during World War II. But only about one in five experienced direct combat. And of those a
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The battle headlined in this moving account was a minor sideshow in World War II. But the unit that fought it for the Allies—the US 2nd Ranger Battallion—deserves recognition for its singular contribution to overall victory, especially on D-Day.
#WWII #specialoperations #NaziGermany #Rangers
#WWII #specialoperations #NaziGermany #Rangers
In a second career after the Harry Potter series made her a billionaire, J. K. Rowling launched a series of adult detective novels. Here's the latest of the Cormoran Strike books. Like its predecessors, it's long, complex, and heavily character-driven. This is a story you can get your teeth into.
J. K. Rowling's tough detective takes on a case implicating the Masons
A dismembered corpse turns up in the vault of a London silver shop, missing its eyes, hands, feet, and penis. A Masonic sash is tied around the body and a
malwarwickonbooks.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
In a second career after the Harry Potter series made her a billionaire, J. K. Rowling launched a series of adult detective novels. Here's the latest of the Cormoran Strike books. Like its predecessors, it's long, complex, and heavily character-driven. This is a story you can get your teeth into.
You might not think a single company could play a central role in the development of the Chinese economy. But this eye-opening new book may change your mind. The story is amazing.
#apple #china #trade #economicdevelopment
#apple #china #trade #economicdevelopment
How Apple made China great while becoming a $3 trillion company
You might have wondered, as I have, how China could become so prosperous and powerful in less than half a century since Deng Hsiao-ping launched what I
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
You might not think a single company could play a central role in the development of the Chinese economy. But this eye-opening new book may change your mind. The story is amazing.
#apple #china #trade #economicdevelopment
#apple #china #trade #economicdevelopment
Dan Fesperman is prominent among a new crop of spy novelists. He brings to the table considerable skill as a writer and on-the-scene knowledge of the Middle Eastern settings in which he places his books. So far, I haven't found a false note in any of his work.
#spies #espiionage #Iran #Israel
#spies #espiionage #Iran #Israel
This taut spy novel ends with a jaw-dropping surprise
Claire Saylor is doing time in Langley hoping for a new field posting. But she hasn't bargained on the assignment that's just come her way. "You’re due
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Dan Fesperman is prominent among a new crop of spy novelists. He brings to the table considerable skill as a writer and on-the-scene knowledge of the Middle Eastern settings in which he places his books. So far, I haven't found a false note in any of his work.
#spies #espiionage #Iran #Israel
#spies #espiionage #Iran #Israel
To take a break from the news and from all those serious books you read, check out this delightful series of little novels set in a place you may never have heard of. You'll be charmed, too.
#africa #detectivefiction
#africa #detectivefiction
A charming portrait of an African country that breaks the mold
The South African nation of Botswana attracts wildlife tourists and diamond-buyers but little other attention from the outside world. It's a big place,
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
To take a break from the news and from all those serious books you read, check out this delightful series of little novels set in a place you may never have heard of. You'll be charmed, too.
#africa #detectivefiction
#africa #detectivefiction
For most, Donald Trump's second term has been problematic at best and catastrophic at worst. Thom Hartmann's new book offers a pointed critique of the man and the movement that has made his effort to remake the American political system possible.
#donaldtrump #politics #MAGA #corruption
#donaldtrump #politics #MAGA #corruption
A savage takedown of the would-be dictator in the Oval Office
Amazon lists more than 3,000 books about Donald Trump, and I feel as though I've read most of them. (Well, at least 23, anyway.) So, why do we need yet
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
For most, Donald Trump's second term has been problematic at best and catastrophic at worst. Thom Hartmann's new book offers a pointed critique of the man and the movement that has made his effort to remake the American political system possible.
#donaldtrump #politics #MAGA #corruption
#donaldtrump #politics #MAGA #corruption
Here, from the author of Lucas Davenport series of "Prey" novels is the second book in his new series featuring Davenport's tough adopted daughter, Letty. Like her father, she works as a federal agent, but for DHS, not the Marshal Service.
#detective #domesticterrorism #DHS
#detective #domesticterrorism #DHS
John Sandford's badass young detective takes on dangerous hackers
In a series of 36 crime novels to date, John Sandford has traced the career of crack investigator Lucas Davenport for four decades. Marketed under the
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Here, from the author of Lucas Davenport series of "Prey" novels is the second book in his new series featuring Davenport's tough adopted daughter, Letty. Like her father, she works as a federal agent, but for DHS, not the Marshal Service.
#detective #domesticterrorism #DHS
#detective #domesticterrorism #DHS
The late, great Elmore Leonard wrote this novella back in the day when the United Farmworkers Union was organizing in the fields of the Southwest. This short novel dramatizes the dynamics of their operations in Texas. It's a great story.
#union #strike #novella #farmworkers
#union #strike #novella #farmworkers
Elmore Leonard's long-lost novella explores farmworkers' lives
More than half a century ago, Elmore Leonard was eking out a living writing pulp Western novels. He was about to take a sharp turn into crafting the crime
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The late, great Elmore Leonard wrote this novella back in the day when the United Farmworkers Union was organizing in the fields of the Southwest. This short novel dramatizes the dynamics of their operations in Texas. It's a great story.
#union #strike #novella #farmworkers
#union #strike #novella #farmworkers
For decades, women faced a stone wall that prevented all but a few to rise to top jobs in the CIA. This book by an agency insider chronicles women's rise to the leadership. It was a very tough fight.
#CIA #women'smovement #feminism #history
#CIA #women'smovement #feminism #history
How the women's revolution changed the CIA
Few agencies of the US Government resisted women's liberation and the civil rights movement as long or as fiercely as the CIA. Born in the macho exploits
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
For decades, women faced a stone wall that prevented all but a few to rise to top jobs in the CIA. This book by an agency insider chronicles women's rise to the leadership. It was a very tough fight.
#CIA #women'smovement #feminism #history
#CIA #women'smovement #feminism #history
If you crave detective novels set in exotic places, you should love this tale of murder and mayhem in Siberia on the longest railway in the world.
#detectivefiction #murdermystery #Russia #historicalfiction
#detectivefiction #murdermystery #Russia #historicalfiction
Murder on the Trans-Siberian Express
Work began on the Trans-Siberian Railway on March 9, 1891. Then, Tsar Alexander III still ruled the Russian Empire. But when he died at the age of 49
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
If you crave detective novels set in exotic places, you should love this tale of murder and mayhem in Siberia on the longest railway in the world.
#detectivefiction #murdermystery #Russia #historicalfiction
#detectivefiction #murdermystery #Russia #historicalfiction
Of all the major players on the world stage, we know the least about North Korea. This shocking account of life inside the country's notorious political prison system opens a window on one of North Korea's best-hidden realities.
#northkorea #prison #gulag #escape
#northkorea #prison #gulag #escape
A survivor's eye-opening tale of life in the North Korean gulag
A review of Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West, by Blaine Harden. @@@@@ (5 out of 5). Chronicles the life of Shin Dong-hyuk, only of only three p...
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Of all the major players on the world stage, we know the least about North Korea. This shocking account of life inside the country's notorious political prison system opens a window on one of North Korea's best-hidden realities.
#northkorea #prison #gulag #escape
#northkorea #prison #gulag #escape
Nearlly every one of the many books I've read about the US Civil War over the years has been about the fighting. Even the novels. This one isn't. It explains how and why the North won the conflict, viewing the scene in the broadest possible terms.
#civilwar #industry #manufacturing
#civilwar #industry #manufacturing
How inventors and businessmen won the Civil War for the Union
In 1860, when civil war erupted, the federal government was a mere shadow of what it has become today. The federal budget was about $63 million, only
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Nearlly every one of the many books I've read about the US Civil War over the years has been about the fighting. Even the novels. This one isn't. It explains how and why the North won the conflict, viewing the scene in the broadest possible terms.
#civilwar #industry #manufacturing
#civilwar #industry #manufacturing
Some of the best spy novels now in print come from the pen (or keyboard) of Alan Furst. They're set in Europe in the 1930s and 40s and revolve around the run-up to and then World War II itself. This is one of the best of the books.
#esionage #spynovel #Europe #worldwarII
#esionage #spynovel #Europe #worldwarII
At the dawn of World War II, a Hollywood star becomes a spy
Alan Furst writes deeply engrossing novels of suspense about espionage in Europe in the years leading up to and during World War II. Mission to
malwarwickonbooks.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Some of the best spy novels now in print come from the pen (or keyboard) of Alan Furst. They're set in Europe in the 1930s and 40s and revolve around the run-up to and then World War II itself. This is one of the best of the books.
#esionage #spynovel #Europe #worldwarII
#esionage #spynovel #Europe #worldwarII