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Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna takes on some clients planning a Napa County wedding a month before their big day. While Babs, the wedding planner they had been using, is very professional about these clients leaving, her assistant, Stefan, isn’t. Still, Kelsey is shocked to find a dead body in the office when she comes to pick up her new client’s file. With her reputation on the line, Kelsey has to find a way to clear her name.
I loved the first in this series, and this book is just as wonderful. Kelsey, her friend Brody, and her assistant Laurel, make a wonderful trio, and their friendship and banter is a pure delight. The suspects introduced here are just as strong, and make it hard to distinguish clue from red herring until Kelsey figures it all out at the end. This is a wedding you’ll be glad you crashed.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-dying-on-vine-by-marla.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first in this series, and this book is just as wonderful. Kelsey, her friend Brody, and her assistant Laurel, make a wonderful trio, and their friendship and banter is a pure delight. The suspects introduced here are just as strong, and make it hard to distinguish clue from red herring until Kelsey figures it all out at the end. This is a wedding you’ll be glad you crashed.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-dying-on-vine-by-marla.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Digging Up the Dirt (Southern Ladies Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Athena Garden Club is all buzzing about the return of Hadley Partridge to town. When he left forty years ago, he was the most eligible bachelor in town, and some of the ladies want to pick up where they left off. An’gel and Dickce Ducote aren’t among them, but they can’t help but be pulled in when Hadley’s return brings up a secret from the past. When a dead body and an old skeleton turn up, can these sisters solve the crime?
It was wonderful catching back up with An’gel and Dickce. I love the characters in this series, and it was fun to see Athena from a different point of view. The story starts strongly and never slows down. I did feel the ending was weaker than it could have been, although it does tie every up nicely for us.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-digging-up-dirt-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It was wonderful catching back up with An’gel and Dickce. I love the characters in this series, and it was fun to see Athena from a different point of view. The story starts strongly and never slows down. I did feel the ending was weaker than it could have been, although it does tie every up nicely for us.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-digging-up-dirt-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Monopoly: The Walking Dead in Tabletop Games
Apr 4, 2018
I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for a themed version of Monopoly so a Walking Dead version really appealed. Although it's a good version, personally its not my favourite.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018 (Updated Feb 19, 2018)
It's (not really) alive!
Hammer's third Frankenstein movie is basically a soft reboot, disregarding the continuity of the first two. Down-on-his-luck Baron F (Cushing) rediscovers frozen body of his original monster (Kingston), doesn't really think through consequences of hiring someone called Zoltan the Evil Hypnotist (Woodthorpe) to help with monster-wrangling duties as he prepares to try and restore his reputation.
Hammer won the rights to reuse much imagery from the 1930s Universal Frankenstein series (that said, the monster looks more like an Easter Island statue than Boris Karloff); in their delight at this coup they seem to have forgotten to come up with a proper story for this film. Cushing is given a run for his money by the underrated character actor Peter Woodthorpe; in the end the parts are competently assembled but the spark of life remains elusive. Title seems a little harsh, as Frankenstein is certainly more sinned against than sinning on this occasion: poor choice of staff hardly constitutes 'evil', if you ask me.
Hammer won the rights to reuse much imagery from the 1930s Universal Frankenstein series (that said, the monster looks more like an Easter Island statue than Boris Karloff); in their delight at this coup they seem to have forgotten to come up with a proper story for this film. Cushing is given a run for his money by the underrated character actor Peter Woodthorpe; in the end the parts are competently assembled but the spark of life remains elusive. Title seems a little harsh, as Frankenstein is certainly more sinned against than sinning on this occasion: poor choice of staff hardly constitutes 'evil', if you ask me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Dying for Strawberries (A Berry Basket Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Marlee Jacob has settled nicely back into her home town of Oriole Point, and she is quite happy running her business, The Berry Basket. However, she quickly finds herself in trouble when her good friend goes missing, a surprise announcement rattles all the local business owners, someone tries to kill her, and then she finds a dead body. What is going on?
I enjoyed this book with how it played with some cozy mystery tropes early on while still providing us with a compelling cozy mystery. There’s plenty happening to keep us entertained all the way through, and the twists of the plot come together for a logical climax. Some of the supporting characters are still a bit thin, but we can get to know them better in later books. Marlee herself is wonderful, and the rest of the suspects are also viable characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-dying-for-strawberries-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed this book with how it played with some cozy mystery tropes early on while still providing us with a compelling cozy mystery. There’s plenty happening to keep us entertained all the way through, and the twists of the plot come together for a logical climax. Some of the supporting characters are still a bit thin, but we can get to know them better in later books. Marlee herself is wonderful, and the rest of the suspects are also viable characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-dying-for-strawberries-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Peaches and Scream (Georgia Peach Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nola Mae Harper is returning to her home town of Cays Mill, Georgia, and her family’s peach farm to help run it while her parents take a three week cruise. However, she’s hardly arrived when she finds the body of the owner of the local lumber mill in the peach orchard. Worse yet, her brother-in-law is arrest for the crime. She and her siblings quickly close ranks and try to clear his name. But can they do it?
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Olive and Let Die (Greek to Me Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgie’s mother abandoned her 20 years ago, and Georgie has not heard from her since. Naturally, she is surprised when the woman walks back into her life, having reinvented herself as soap star Melanie Ashley. Before the two women can talk, however, they find a dead body. Melanie quickly identifies the victim as her cousin Doreen. Did Melanie’s return to town have something to do with Doreen’s death? What secret is Melanie hiding?
This is another fun, fast paced mystery. It did seem to wander a bit at the beginning, but everything comes into play before the climax. The climax is a little different for a cozy, and I thought it worked very well. The characters, old and new, are both really strong. Unfortunately, a few minor editing issues annoyed me, but they didn’t affect the plot or solution to the mystery in any way.
NOTE: I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-olive-and-let-die-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fun, fast paced mystery. It did seem to wander a bit at the beginning, but everything comes into play before the climax. The climax is a little different for a cozy, and I thought it worked very well. The characters, old and new, are both really strong. Unfortunately, a few minor editing issues annoyed me, but they didn’t affect the plot or solution to the mystery in any way.
NOTE: I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-olive-and-let-die-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Bear Witness to Murder in Books
May 30, 2018
Oktobearfest is Off to a Murderous Start
It’s October, and the town of Silver Hollow is getting ready for their Oktobearfest, a teddy bear themed Oktoberfest event for the entire family. Things are kicking off with a kid and teddy bear friendly tea that Sasha Silverman is helping with. She’s trying to avoid her high school nemesis, Holly Parker, when Holly’s assistant Gina interrupts the tea to announce she is suing the mayor. The next morning, Sasha finds a dead body. Despite vowing to stay out of it, she finds herself pulled into the investigation. Will she learn the truth?
There is a lot going on here, and it really pulled me into the story. I finished the book in just a couple of days, in fact. I kept switching what I thought was going on, but when we reached the climax, everything made perfect sense. I did catch a major timeline issue, however, something that always annoys me. The main characters, both series regulars and suspects, are strong and really drew me into the story as well.
There is a lot going on here, and it really pulled me into the story. I finished the book in just a couple of days, in fact. I kept switching what I thought was going on, but when we reached the climax, everything made perfect sense. I did catch a major timeline issue, however, something that always annoys me. The main characters, both series regulars and suspects, are strong and really drew me into the story as well.
Manda (5 KP) rated Logan (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2018
Beware I will ruin the movie for you
Contains spoilers, click to show
This movie was a great watch, really, I’m not trying to bash it. Though the heartwrench I received after watching it LAST year I am still dealing with and just the poster makes me cringe.
The movie begins with Logan and Xavier the latter taking care and doing what he can to support the two.
There is a lot of death in this movie and we the watchers have to deal with Wolverine and his struggle with keeping himself alive after the experiments done on him has begun to poison his body. He does find out he has a kick ass daughter and ends up trying to keep her and several other mutant children safe as they journey to Canada to escape the crazy ass government people who want to turn them into weapons and studies etc.
In the end he does what he begrudgingly sets out to do that costs him dearly.
The movie begins with Logan and Xavier the latter taking care and doing what he can to support the two.
There is a lot of death in this movie and we the watchers have to deal with Wolverine and his struggle with keeping himself alive after the experiments done on him has begun to poison his body. He does find out he has a kick ass daughter and ends up trying to keep her and several other mutant children safe as they journey to Canada to escape the crazy ass government people who want to turn them into weapons and studies etc.
In the end he does what he begrudgingly sets out to do that costs him dearly.
Sue (5 KP) rated Death al Fresco in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Sally Solari is working very hard to make a name for herself at her recently inherited restaurant, but her father has different plans. He doesn’t seem to remember that she no longer works at the family restaurant Solaris’ and keeps pulling her in. While taking an open-air painting class of the Monterey Bay coastline, Sally’s dog Buster finds a corpse tangled up in the kelp.
The body is identified as Gino, a local fisherman and regular patron at Solaris’. Is it true what everyone is saying? Is Sally’s dad negligent for allowing an inebriated customer to leave the restaurant alone at night? Witnesses claim that Gino was drunk when he left the restaurant, but his waitress swears that she only served him to beers with a full meal. Can she find out the truth before her father’s reputation and that on his restaurant goes down the drain?
This is not your average cozy mystery full of cuteness. Sally is a smart and multifaceted character that has you cheering for her to find the bad guys.
The body is identified as Gino, a local fisherman and regular patron at Solaris’. Is it true what everyone is saying? Is Sally’s dad negligent for allowing an inebriated customer to leave the restaurant alone at night? Witnesses claim that Gino was drunk when he left the restaurant, but his waitress swears that she only served him to beers with a full meal. Can she find out the truth before her father’s reputation and that on his restaurant goes down the drain?
This is not your average cozy mystery full of cuteness. Sally is a smart and multifaceted character that has you cheering for her to find the bad guys.