Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes
dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]
![Film poster: “Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes” dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Department-Q-Keeper-of-Lost-Causes.jpg)
Danish cold case crime drama whose value (beyond standard Nordic Noir) lies in a killer driven by plausible motivation, and the ‘thrown-together’ relationship between brooding misanthrope police detective Carl Mørck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) and his genial new immigrant partner Assad (Fares Fares).
The Mystery That Never Was
by Enid Blyton; ill. Gilbert Dunlop (William Collins, 1961)
Often listed in appendage to the Barney Mysteries (perhaps due to Dunlop’s illustrations), in terms of characters and plot this simple one-off is much more like a Secret Seven adventure. The young protagonists invent a mystery… only to find it coming true!
Twilight Covenant
by Whitney Hill (Benu Media, 2024)
A rousing conclusion to both the Trickster Cycle and Shadows of Otherside. Arden signs off in style, as she (and no doubt Hill) finally grows tired of pulling punches in the fight for rights and recognition. A breathless, one-sitting read, gloriously cathartic!
A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion
dir. Hiroshi Nishikiori (2013)
This feature-length anime offers a suitably grand-scale plot playing out within the Certain Magical/Certain Scientific universe. Unfortunately, there’s rather too much bitsy interplay between established characters, and not enough focus on newcomers Arisa, Shutaura, and Ladylee Tangleroad, whose stories actually underpin events.
The Key to Rondo
by Emily Rodda (Omnibus/Scholastic, 2007)
audiobook read by Edwina Wren (Bolinda, 2010)
A manifestly competent tween quest fantasy that does most things right, if perhaps leaning a little too heavily into established fairytale elements. When betting on opening chapters (against those of, say, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), put your money on Rodda.
Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead
by Mark Gatiss; dir. Euros Lyn (BBC, 2005)
A pronounced example, early in the format, of everything happening too fast. While Dickens and Gwyneth are good value, and there’s depths to plumb in Eccleston’s Doctor’s fair-weather avuncularity (a domineering temper simmering behind the goofy grin), it all just rattles by.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
by Laurie R. King (St Martin’s Press, 1994; reprinted Allison & Busby, 2010)
Mary Russell proves both a worthy viewpoint protagonist and a match for her mentor, albeit her intellect is kept largely unflaunted. King presents a respectful and convincing characterising of Holmes in his older years (likewise depictions of Mycroft, Watson and Mrs Hudson).
ChäoS;HEAd
by Toshiki Inoue; dir. Takaaki Ishiyama (2013)
12-part anime adaptation. Chaos;Head captures the disturbing essence of a shut-in’s societal withdrawal and delusions, yet alienates viewers by heaping on too many layers of unreality (especially as protagonist Takumi Nishijo remains a wet dishmop with zero personality beyond jejune inner monologuing).
Mechanismo
by Harry Harrison (Reed, 1978)
A bizarre attempt to apply the notion of ‘fix-up novel’ to the visual medium. Harrison presents a lavish hodgepodge of SF illustrations, artwork and schematics, stitched together with sections of (surprisingly derisive) genre-focussed literary criticism and stultifying excerpts from invented far-future history.
The Dam Busters
dir. Michael Anderson (1955)
Compelling war film that tells its story in a straightforward fashion, allowing the drama to speak for itself (with poignant character moments pre- and post-mission, and occasional low-key, tension-relieving one-liners). The acting is unobtrusive rather than outstanding, the special effects rightly lauded.