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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated A Slay Ride Together with You in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Spring Brings Another Murder to Rudolph
Spring in Rudolph, New York, American’s Christmas town, is usually a little show, which means it is the perfect time for Merry Wilkinson’s friends Vicki and Mark to plan their wedding. They’ve even managed to buy the Cole House to move into, but only because it needs a lot of work. However, things aren’t going well at the house since the couple are hearing strange noises in the night. Then, when Merry is visiting, the trio find a dead body. With Mark under suspicion, Merry starts gathering clues. Can she figure out what happened?
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Marcella - Season 2 in TV
Apr 18, 2018
As gripping as series 1
The second series of Marcella sees the slightly manic, depressed, blackout-prone detective investigate the appearance of a child's dead body in the walls of a house being renovated. Following further child abductions or bodies and strange aspects of their killings, the case starts to look like something occult.
The plot includes many more characters and twists and turns than series 1 - many characters and their lives are introduced with tenuous connections to the plot which make you think they could be involved.
The series was gripping throughout and headed to a satisfying conclusion, though with a very unusual twist at the end.
The plot includes many more characters and twists and turns than series 1 - many characters and their lives are introduced with tenuous connections to the plot which make you think they could be involved.
The series was gripping throughout and headed to a satisfying conclusion, though with a very unusual twist at the end.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Mr. Miracle (Angelic Intervention, #10) in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I just loved this book. I love all of Debbie Macomber Books. I would have read the other nine books that go in this series. The way I read her books I can get though a few of them in a week.
Harry has a lot to learn about being in a human body for the first time. He has to deal with several different emotions and helping his charge and the other student in his classroom. He need to help Addie does not what to do when she runs into Erich. Harry his the college teacher where Addie has enrolled. He is help Addie and prompt her to help out.
Harry has a lot to learn about being in a human body for the first time. He has to deal with several different emotions and helping his charge and the other student in his classroom. He need to help Addie does not what to do when she runs into Erich. Harry his the college teacher where Addie has enrolled. He is help Addie and prompt her to help out.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Chalk Man in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Unnerving thriller with lots of different threads
While elements of this psychological thriller seem far-fetched, there's something ghoulish and almost Stephen King-like in its approach.
Following the narrative of Ed, the teacher recounts his childhood with his friends and the time they found the dismembered body of a young woman. In the meantime, chalk drawings keep appearing, and take a life of their own.
While the ending is startling and worth listening to the finish, at times the back and forth narrative from past to future becomes convoluted and can be hard to keep track, let alone concentrate. A good thriller, but with a lot of loose ends.
Following the narrative of Ed, the teacher recounts his childhood with his friends and the time they found the dismembered body of a young woman. In the meantime, chalk drawings keep appearing, and take a life of their own.
While the ending is startling and worth listening to the finish, at times the back and forth narrative from past to future becomes convoluted and can be hard to keep track, let alone concentrate. A good thriller, but with a lot of loose ends.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Dead and Berried (Gray Whale Inn Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Gluten for Punishment (A Baker's Treat, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Toni Holmes is opening a gluten free bakery in the small Kansas town where she grew up. She's expecting a little trouble from the local wheat farmers, but someone throws wheat filled balloons during the grand opening. Then a dead body is found outside her front door.
I liked Toni and the rest of the characters. However, I found the plot frustrating because events doubled for any real clues or twists. Poor editing left in several major mistakes as well. I won't be going further with this author.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-gluten-for-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I liked Toni and the rest of the characters. However, I found the plot frustrating because events doubled for any real clues or twists. Poor editing left in several major mistakes as well. I won't be going further with this author.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-gluten-for-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Hot, Shot, and Bothered (Lilly Hawkins, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
TV news shooter Lilly Hawkins is filming the wildfire burning out of control near Bakersfield when a body is found in a lake. When it turns out to be someone she knows and she doesn't buy the story of how she died, Lilly sets out to find the killer. I missed the supporting cast from the first book, although I still enjoyed my time with Lilly. Decent mystery, too. My biggest issue was actually the fire - hit a little too close to home for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-hot-shot-and-bothered-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-hot-shot-and-bothered-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Blackberry Burial (A Berry Basket Mystery #2) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy provided to me by the author.</i>
Marlee and friends are back in the 2nd Berry Basket Mystery, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. While surveying a possible starting location for the annual road rally, Marlee finds the body of a girl missing for 20 years hidden in the overgrowth. Can she catch a killer when the murder happened so long ago?
I enjoy reading about Marlee and her friends, and I would love to visit Oriole Point. With such a great combination of characters, setting, and suspense, Im already looking forward to book #3.
Marlee and friends are back in the 2nd Berry Basket Mystery, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. While surveying a possible starting location for the annual road rally, Marlee finds the body of a girl missing for 20 years hidden in the overgrowth. Can she catch a killer when the murder happened so long ago?
I enjoy reading about Marlee and her friends, and I would love to visit Oriole Point. With such a great combination of characters, setting, and suspense, Im already looking forward to book #3.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Elementary, She Read in Books
Feb 21, 2018
What a great find for a Sherlock Holmes fan! Elementary She Read is the first in a new series about Gemma Doyle, who runs a Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, which I very much wish I could visit in real life. When the owner of a rare magazine is murdered and Gemma finds the body, she becomes the prime suspect. Gemma and her friend Jayne investigate to clear her name. This was a well written mystery with a charming setting and some unique characters. Ive loved Vicki Delany / Eva Gates other mysteries, and this is now one more to add to my always-buy list.
Kevin Wilson (2 KP) rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) in Movies
Jun 1, 2018
Cast (2 more)
Plot
Comedy
A Wild & Fun Adventure For The Whole Family!
This a very creative adaptation of the Jumanji series. This time around, the characters are transported inside the game. The writers did an excellent job of portraying the film as though the characters were actually in a video game universe.
The film is packed full of humor. Especially Jack Black's portrayal of a modern teenage girl trapped in the body of a middle-aged man. There are even some jokes designed for the older audience to get a chuckle, making it not only a good film for the family, but fun for adults as well.
The film is packed full of humor. Especially Jack Black's portrayal of a modern teenage girl trapped in the body of a middle-aged man. There are even some jokes designed for the older audience to get a chuckle, making it not only a good film for the family, but fun for adults as well.