Reviews

The book, filled with meticulously researched facts, is a must-have resource for theater historians, educators, students, and fans of the titular genre.

– DC Theater Arts Courtroom Dramas on the Stage Vol. II

Enlighting and engaging reference book.

– Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Courtroom Dramas on the Stage Vol. I

As usual, Kabatchnik provides detailed synopses, background, and fascinating anecdotes for each of the fifty-one plays. This book completes the series, unless Kabatchnik sticks around to do a volume about the twenty-first century, which at the rate he’s going, is a genuine possibility.

– Steve Steinbock, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Blood on the Stage 1800 to 1900

Kabatchnik is the world’s leading expert on crime plays

– Marv Lachman, Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine Blood on the Stage 1600 to 1800

A Monumental reference series.

– Jon. L. Breen, Mystery Scene Blood on the Stage 1600 to 1800

As Kabatchnik demonstrates in his descriptions, these are plays that are important not only for their historical significance but because they are still worth watching some more than two thousand years after they were first written… His information-packed descriptions of these plays will make fans of crime fiction want to read them and then, where possible, to see them in person.

– Marv Lachman, Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.

Contained in this reference book are two thousand years’ worth of murder and mystery as depicted on stage. This prequel covers more than fifty plays, starting with three works by Aeschylus, and finish off with Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Steve Steinbock, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.

A reliable and thorough reference source that is immensely entertaining and browsable, this whole series is a landmark of mystery and theatrical scholarship.

– Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.

A monumental reference on 20th-century stage crimes… This is one of the key secondary sources of the young century, and I hope some award-giving body will recognize it.

– Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

If this were the best of all possible worlds, Amnon Kabatchnik’s BLOOD ON THE STAGE, 1975-2000, would be under consideration for its fourth Edgar Award in the Biography/Literary Criticism category… Over 80 plays are summarized as to story and history, including first performances, leading cast members, revivals, and movie and television adaptations. Not only are the summaries readable, but they are based on impeccable research… a book such as this can be used for reference as well as pleasurable reading.

– John T. Gillespie, American Reference Books Annual Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

Insightful and rich… comprehensive and highly readable… we are uplifted into the entrancing ambience and ethos of theatre… The fluent rhythm and cadence of Kabatchnik’s writing has no doubt contributed greatly to the general reading public’s positive reception of the author’s work with the authentic ring of his work being bound to appeal to those who love the crime, mystery and detection genre both on the stage and in the written text.

– Lois Henderson, BOOKPLEASURES Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

A niche resource with genre appeal. While the title will likely find use in academic theater collections, mystery theatre buffs will also enjoy it.

– Barbara Kundanis, Library Journal Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

An excellent volume… A complete and comprehensive reference with annotations throughout, BLOOD ON THE STAGE, 1975-2000 is a strongly recommended addition to any theatre or library studies collection, not to be overlooked.

– Midwest Book Review Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

Amnon Kabatchnik’s monumental work of scholarship comprises a vast and detailed resource for devotees of theatrical mayhem… a magnum opus.

– Joseph Goodrich, Mystery Scene Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

Mr. Kabatchnik has published a series of books examining stage productions for each quarter century from 1900 to 2000. In doing so he has secured a unique niche among theatre historians… It is almost impossible to dip into the thick (608 pages) volume without catching some of the author’s passion for his material… The author leaves a trail of appealing informational tidbits that draw the reader forward from insight to insight… Entertaining material for theatre lovers, and a potentially valuable resource to theatre historians.

– New York Journal of Books Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000

Mr. Kabatchnik has given us a third volume in his excellent crime and mystery play series. A most enjoyable and eminently readable journey through the world of theater as relates to mysteries. A reference book not to be missed. It is a brilliant analytic gem which should be in reachable distance of every theater lovers’ book shelf. Along with his other two volumes, it is a must own series for every library, public and private. Bravo, Mr. Kabatchnik!

– William Link, Emmy and Edgar-award winning writer and co-creator of Columbo, Mannix, and Murder, She Wrote. Blood on the Stage, 1950-1975

The Third volume of this monumental reference work lives up to the high standard of the first two.

– Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene Magazine Blood on the Stage, 1950-1975

Finally, we’d like to put in a plug for the latest book written by long-time BnT subscriber Amnon Kabatchnik. Blood on the Stage, 1925-1950: Milestone Plays of Crime, Mystery, and Detection, continues the focus of his previous volume (which covered the first 25 years of the last century) and discusses more than 150 full-length plays dealing with crimes of various sorts. Amnon packs this 850-page volume with fascinating information and trains his critical eye on works by Edgar Wallace, Agatha Christie, J.B. Priestley, Somerset Maugham, Lillian Hellman, and other notable playwrights.

– Blood ‘N’ Thunder Number 25, Winter 2010 Blood on the Stage, 1925-1950

You know that embarrassing moment at a party, when someone asks you about a detailed fact concerning a momentous play that is long forgotten but still deserves careful study and review, and you have no idea what they’re talking about? Well, after thoroughly enjoying Blood on the Stage, I never have to face that awful moment.

– Hank Azaria Star of stage, screen, and television (The Simpsons) Blood on the Stage, 1925-1950

The author gives thorough criticism for the benefit of theater students on why each work is noteworthy, and why the appeal of this genre endures.

– Book News Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

The sheer readability of his work exceeds that of many reference books…. Warmly recommended

– Reference & User Services Quarterly Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

…Such are the revalations of Kabatchnik’s energetically researched volume, which covers scores of Doyle-derived works. Theatre scholars and hardcore Sherlockians will welcome the book.

– Celia Wren, American Theatre Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

The plays selected by Kabatchnik provide a wealth of material for lovers of theater.

Kabatchnik’s books will be [the reader’s] only opportunity to thrill to many long-forgotten plays…

A unique resource.

– Leslie Klinger, Los Angeles Times Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

The characterizations of Holmes, Watson and their milieu are dizzying in their variety and complexity.

The volume is much more accessible than the play scripts themselves, many of which are quite scarce.

Preferable to others… it provides the opportunity to enjoy the plays…

– Leslie Klinger, Los Angeles Times Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

This material is astonishingly complete and up to date….The author correctly describes this work as ‘a labor of love.’ It is also a fascinating document that deserves a place in any library with a sizable collection on theater.

– John T. Gillespie, American Reference Books Annual Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

Descriptions of each play are remarkably lively.

Much useful factual information.

Interesting plot descriptions and effective language.

Readers of this book can visit eighty shows they are unlikely to ever see.

Lively and tantalizing. It’s a Hit!

– Marv Lachman, Deadly Pleasures Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

Kabatchnik’s research for this book leaves me in awe.

– Marv Lachman, Deadly Pleasures Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

A strong contender for Edgar Award recognition.

Entertainingly-written entries.

Kabatchnik is making an extraordinary contribution to mystery scholarship.

– Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

A meritorious survey of the theatrical Holmes.

What sets this book apart from other references on the ‘public Holmes’ are the detailed plot summaries and production histories.

– Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

Comprehensive… It’ll leave you elated.

– Bookgasm.com Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

Amnon Kabatchnik has done his homework and then some…

It’s hard to imagine you’ll find a single source as detailed and thorough.

…Recommended for Holmes completists and those with a meticulous fascination with theater history.

– Bookgasm.com Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

A useful and interesting volume.

– Roger Johnson THE DISTRICT MESSENGER The Newsletter of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London Sherlock Holmes on the Stage

Readers of this book can visit eighty shows they are unlikely to ever see.

– Marv Lachman, Mystery News Blood on the Stage, 1900-1925

Until now, [Sherlock Holmes’] presence on the stages of the world has largely been overlooked. Thanks to the enthusiasm and research of Amnon Kabatchnik, that is no longer true.

– Marv Lachman, Mystery News Sherlock Holmes on the Stage