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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated A Puzzle to be Named Later (Puzzle Lady #18) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Yankee’s pitcher Matt Greystone moves to town to rehab after a car accident, Cora Felton is thrilled. That is before a therapist’s house is broken into and Cora is asked to solve a puzzle that points to something in the therapist’s files. When a second puzzle shows up on the dead body, she knows she has to figure out what is going on.
Like some others in the series, the mystery is the weak link in this book. The action is quick even if it doesn’t always lead us anywhere. The climax is a bit convoluted as well. However, I read these books for the word play and comedy, and that’s here in spades. I laughed multiple times in the book and smiled throughout. Plus, it’s fun to spend time with the gang again, and I liked the new characters as well.
Read my full review at <a href="https://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-puzzle-to-be-named-later-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Like some others in the series, the mystery is the weak link in this book. The action is quick even if it doesn’t always lead us anywhere. The climax is a bit convoluted as well. However, I read these books for the word play and comedy, and that’s here in spades. I laughed multiple times in the book and smiled throughout. Plus, it’s fun to spend time with the gang again, and I liked the new characters as well.
Read my full review at <a href="https://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-puzzle-to-be-named-later-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Berried Secrets (Cranberry Cove, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Monica Albertson has moved to Cranberry Cove to help her half-brother, Jeff, run his cranberry farm. But when a body is found in one of the bogs on the first day of the harvest and the victim is someone who was stealing from Jeff, Monica soon realizes she must save him from being arrested for murder.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Death al Fresco in Books
Mar 14, 2018
Corpse in the Kelp
Sally and her friend Eric are taking an outdoor painting class around Santa Cruz. During class one Saturday, Sally’s dog finds a dead body in the kelp. The man was a regular at Sally’s family’s restaurant, and his last few days seem to be connected to his time there. Can Sally figure out what happened before the restaurant’s reputation is ruined?
This book has a good mystery with viable suspects and a couple of good twists to it. It also has some strong sub-plot, which are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they take the focus off the mystery a bit too much at times. On the other hand, they are the perfect showcases for some of the recurring characters, and I enjoyed seeing them again and how they are growing. Overall, I found this a satisfying read.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
This book has a good mystery with viable suspects and a couple of good twists to it. It also has some strong sub-plot, which are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they take the focus off the mystery a bit too much at times. On the other hand, they are the perfect showcases for some of the recurring characters, and I enjoyed seeing them again and how they are growing. Overall, I found this a satisfying read.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Horror of Frankenstein (1970) in Movies
Feb 24, 2018
(The other) Young Frankenstein
At the start of the 1970s Hammer tried to relaunch both their main series with new leading men (Ralph Bates replacing Christopher Lee in this case); this was the only reboot which eventually happened. The basics of the Frankenstein story are (just about) retold; young Victor decides to make a man, if not of himself, then from some body parts.
There's no doubt that Ralph Bates could have been a brilliant Frankenstein, but not in a film with a script like this one's. The film attempts to appeal to a hip young audience by including cleavage by the yard and lots of sub-Carry On film humour; script is also thick-headed and repetitive. The moment Frankenstein's experiments included resurrecting a tortoise everyone involved should have realised there was a serious problem here. Not funny, not scary, not interesting, barely worth watching except for Hammer fans. They got Peter Cushing back for the next one.
There's no doubt that Ralph Bates could have been a brilliant Frankenstein, but not in a film with a script like this one's. The film attempts to appeal to a hip young audience by including cleavage by the yard and lots of sub-Carry On film humour; script is also thick-headed and repetitive. The moment Frankenstein's experiments included resurrecting a tortoise everyone involved should have realised there was a serious problem here. Not funny, not scary, not interesting, barely worth watching except for Hammer fans. They got Peter Cushing back for the next one.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Tea Cups and Carnage (A Tourist Trap Mystery, #7) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
It was a pleasure to return to South Cove, CA to visit with Jill and her friends again. There was a lot going on this time around. Between the extra business for the food truck during the local beach festival and a missing check, Jill's more than a little stressed out. Yet when a dead body is found, she can't help herself. She has to start asking questions, even if her police-detective boyfriend, Greg, isn't too thrilled about it.
The various sub-plots in this one made it hard to put down - I really needed to know what was going on, on all fronts! Besides the usual cast of characters, the new shop owner in town, Kathi, was a interesting addition. I'm hoping to see more of her during my next visit to South Cove.
NOTE: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The various sub-plots in this one made it hard to put down - I really needed to know what was going on, on all fronts! Besides the usual cast of characters, the new shop owner in town, Kathi, was a interesting addition. I'm hoping to see more of her during my next visit to South Cove.
NOTE: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Death of a Ghost (Hamish Macbeth, #32) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This is good classic Hamish Macbeth. If you are a fan of the series already, then you won't be disappointed. If not, I think you could easily pick this one up and enjoy it as a stand-alone mystery without having read the previous books.
Called to the village of Drim to investigate claims of a "haunted" castle, Hamish and Charlie discover no ghosts, but they do find a dead body. Unfortunately it disappears before CDI Blair arrives on the scene. When the investigation points to local smugglers, the department is quick to wrap up the case. Hamish is not convinced, however, and puts his own life on the line to find the real killer.
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/02/03/review-death-of-a-ghost-by-m-c-beaton/">The Book's the Thing</a>.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Called to the village of Drim to investigate claims of a "haunted" castle, Hamish and Charlie discover no ghosts, but they do find a dead body. Unfortunately it disappears before CDI Blair arrives on the scene. When the investigation points to local smugglers, the department is quick to wrap up the case. Hamish is not convinced, however, and puts his own life on the line to find the real killer.
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/02/03/review-death-of-a-ghost-by-m-c-beaton/">The Book's the Thing</a>.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Penelope Sutherland is beginning to build her catering company, and landing the job catering the movie her best friend Arlena is starring is in a plum gig indeed. That is until a dead body is found outside the house where the two women live and accidents keep happening to on the set that appear to make Arlena the target. What is going on?
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah is running a sport equipment exchange in a local school gym. The night before, as she is about to leave, someone attacks her. Despite the attack, the event goes off without a hitch – until Sarah finds the dead body of the school superintendent. What is going on?
This is another fabulous, fast paced read in one of my favorite series. There are several different avenues that Sarah investigates along the way, and they all come together beautifully for the climax. Meanwhile, we get some development in several series threads and a very funny sub-plot. Sarah continues to grow as a character, and the rest of the cast, both new and returning, are fantastic. The writing makes me feel like I’ve visited Sarah’s corner of the world.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-i-know-what-you-bid-last.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fabulous, fast paced read in one of my favorite series. There are several different avenues that Sarah investigates along the way, and they all come together beautifully for the climax. Meanwhile, we get some development in several series threads and a very funny sub-plot. Sarah continues to grow as a character, and the rest of the cast, both new and returning, are fantastic. The writing makes me feel like I’ve visited Sarah’s corner of the world.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-i-know-what-you-bid-last.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Feta Attraction (Greek to Me Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Georgie’s husband goes missing, she doesn’t think much of it. Spiro has done that several times since he came out of the closet. However, when he doesn’t show up for an appointment, she begins to worry, and the strange notes she is receiving aren’t helping. However, finding the body floating in the St. Lawrence River really makes her start to investigate. What is going on?
There are lots of threads at the start of this book, but they soon begin to weave into one coherent story. Georgie helps hold things together, too; she is such a likable main character, you can’t help but root for her to get a happy ending. I really enjoyed this debut and think it looks like the start of a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-feta-attraction-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There are lots of threads at the start of this book, but they soon begin to weave into one coherent story. Georgie helps hold things together, too; she is such a likable main character, you can’t help but root for her to get a happy ending. I really enjoyed this debut and think it looks like the start of a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-feta-attraction-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mikey H. (24 KP) rated The Raid (2011) in Movies
May 26, 2018
Best Fight choreography ever (1 more)
100 minutes of non-stop action, it's beautiful in the way the violence is done. Amazing.
Wow, just wow
Lots of movies get described as "an adrenaline rush, from start to finish" and rarely do they deliver. The Raid does exactly that. The best fight choreography, its more of a violent dance than fighting...stunning in its visceral display. The story is simple, yet goes deeper than just "get the bad guy". It's survival behind enemy lines, at all cost...but manages to preserve the hero's humanity as well. There are mine.t's of little action, but they are filled with nail-biting tension...and with the rate of the body count, there isn't a guarantee even the hero makes it out alive.
Sidenote: while a different movie altogether, yet with the same feel, if you like The Raid then give Dredd (with Karl Urban) a watch. Also a great film, and highly underrated.
Sidenote: while a different movie altogether, yet with the same feel, if you like The Raid then give Dredd (with Karl Urban) a watch. Also a great film, and highly underrated.