ANGELA LANSBURY: R.I.P.

ANGELA LANSBURY: R.I.P.

    What an amazing woman and career...

From the NYT:

Angela Lansbury, a formidable actress who captivated Hollywood in her youth, became a Broadway musical sensation in middle age and then drew millions of fans as a widowed mystery writer on the long-running television series “Murder, She Wrote,” died on Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 96.

Read more here. 

UK Order of the British Empire Awards

Of interest to mystery readers: A few of the UK Order of the British Empire Honors presented New Year's Day:

Author Anthony Horowitz received an OBE for services to Literature. Anthony Horowitz is the author of more than 40 books including the Alex Rider spy books. He is also the creator of the TV series Foyle's War. As well as being a board member of the Old Vic theatre, he is patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices and the anti-bullying charity Kidscape.

Edinburgh-based Alanna Knight, author of historical crime series including the Inspector Faro mysteries, has also been awarded an MBE, appearing on the honours list under her given name of Gladys Knight.

The actors Penelope Keith and Angela Lansbury both became dames in a New Year honours list that, for the first time since the Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917, has recognised more women than men. British-born Lansbury, 88, who starred in the Murder, She Wrote series, received her damehood in the diplomatic and overseas list for drama, charitable work and philanthropy.