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A Plague of Traitors (Leine Basso #11)
A Plague of Traitors (Leine Basso #11)
D.V. Berkom | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have made no secret that I am a fan of D.V. Berkom's work and particularly of her books starring Leine Basso but you would think that after so many stories it would become stale. Well let me tell you that this is most certainly not the case. D.V. Berkom has a gift of creating plausible and exciting situations that keep me coming back every single time.

Once again, I have run out of words to describe how much I enjoyed this book so will just say that it is yet another action packed thriller full of tension that will have you turning the pages at quick speed (or tapping the screen!).

D.V. Berkom has a knack of creating excellent characters and this book is absolutely littered with them from the good guys to the not-so-good. Leine has to be one of my favourite characters of all time - she is strong, brave, not afraid to kick rear ends but with a soft side that is endearing and feels natural and believable.

This is part of a series but, in my opinion, it holds up extremely well as a stand-alone. There are recurring characters, and I am pleased to see the return of Derek, but the author has the ability to provide just enough information so you don't get lost but not so much that it detracts from the current story.

Yet again, this is another hit for me and I would recommend this and the rest of the series to anyone who loves a thrilling read that although contains violence, it's not over the top.

I, for one, cannot wait for the Leine's next "adventure" but I must thank D.V. Berkom for allowing me to be a member of her Advance Reader Team and for sending me a copy of "A Plague of Traitors" before the official publication date on 31-August-2021 in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review for which I am, once again, extremely grateful.
  
American Pastoral (2016)
American Pastoral (2016)
2016 | Drama
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Ewan McGregor is brilliant (2 more)
Incredibly sad
Not bad adaptation of Philip Roth's book
There was something missing (0 more)
Harrowing, tragic and moving
Philip Roth's tragic drama about the perfect high school couple and the disintegration of a family has finally made it on to the big screen. Set in the 1960's during massive political upheaval in America, it follows the story of a daughter who disappears after allegedly bombing a store, killing a clerk as part of a 'revolutionary' movement. Her father, played by Ewan McGregor, believes that she has been manipulated and that she is truly innocent throughout, even in the face of all opposing evidence. It's horrific seeing the mother and father's complete breakdown and it seems apparent the daughter Merry is suffering from a mental illness. There's hints of sexual abuse thought to have triggered her stutter, but it is extremely subtle.

It's really quite a sombre watch, especially given that the film begins with the father's funeral. Beautiful acting, but the daughter's character was extremely irritating.