Tanya Mardirossian channels gothic elements to write a modern suspense story with sarcastic social commentary — by Matt Fernandez Matt Fernandez: Give us the rundown of your novel, Mystic Place. Tanya Mardirossian: Freddie, the main character, moves to Malibu, California after exiting detective work. He’s lost his family and takes this risk on his own to start fresh and detox from trauma. He lives in a great house on…

Series episodes ranked by season — Season 1 S1, E3 “Mugged” Bret (Bret McKenzie) leaves Jemaine (Jemaine Clement) behind while running away from muggers. Their friendship is strained after Jemaine befriends one of the muggers while spending two nights in jail together. Bret goes through many attempts to apologize and win back Jemaine’s friendship. Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymnoceros Think…

A look past the button eyes — Neil Gaiman (American Gods, Good Omens, Sandman,…) wrote a horror story for children. It leaves much to the imagination; still, he felt the need to make sure it wasn’t too terrifying for children. He asked his daughter to read his draft of Coraline, the story of a girl who is…

My two-year-old Havanese is named Wildling because he looked like a Wildling from “Game of Thrones” when I picked him up at the shelter. I’ve been his human for a month. He’s doing well: he’s groomed, well-fed, and he has new beds and toys galore…I’m a proud dog mom. I…

Nerd Herders and Chucksters, it’s time to bring Chuckles back for another five-year plan — You’ve probably seen him in Shazam!, but Zachary Levi’s role as the electrifying superhero will come as no surprise if you’re familiar with his charming character as CIA-NSA geek-turned-spy in NBC’s Chuck. In the well-written (and cast) show, Levi plays Chuck, a kind-hearted computer wiz who, as it turns out…

In the spirit of Freddie’s birthday month, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and Queen…always. — Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen (Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor) sits across from me and happily sips on one of many beer glasses on the table between us. He looks the same — the same immortal way — as he looked in the ’80s and early ’90s…

A good detective thriller is everything — The main stars of “The Fall” (2013–2016) are on to good things. We’ll see Jamie Dornan in the final film of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy, where he’ll serenade us, and Gillian Anderson now has her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. …

Ireland Week gave insight to the creativity coming from Ireland to the U.S. — Ireland Week, full of cultural events in Los Angeles, brings Irish culture and innovation to the spotlight, featuring the Connect 353 Conference. The conference brings panelists in politics and creativity to discuss Ireland’s growing businesses and their relations with the U.S. …

Bringing Irish food, culture and entertainment to LA Ireland Week, a yearly event that showcases Ireland’s culture and talent, is back for Los Angeles natives and visitors to enjoy. Co-founded by Deirdre O’Neill Machin and Buzz O’Neill, the week presents guests with food, music and entertainment events thorughout the city…