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Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Dirty Streets Of Heaven (Bobby Dollar #1) in Books
Apr 28, 2021
Bobby Dollar AKA Doloriel is a snarky, stubborn, cynical, jazz loving, wiseass of an angel. As an angel of the Third Circle his job is that of an Advocate Angel. He's on your side to argue for your soul to get into heaven. When souls start disappearing Bobby is on the hook and finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that has Heaven and Hell in a tizzy.
This book is a supernatural noir type, Set in Heaven and San Judas, California-named after the patron saint of the hopeless, the unloved, and other lost causes. Told in a first person narrator pov. (Think similar to Brust. The narrator is talking to 'you personally'). The characters are phenomenal and the descriptions are great. As this is not his normal writing style it shows and can be a bit rough at some places.
This fast paced mystery is a delight with its unique show of how heaven and hell could work it makes you think. Even though it is about angels it isn't overly religious it also isn't anti-God. There is drinking, cussing, and violence. Yep the angels drink, some even to the point of drinking their Earthly bodies to death.
Heaven's most problematic angel is figuring out how he can survive being stuck in the middle of this ancient battle.
This book is a supernatural noir type, Set in Heaven and San Judas, California-named after the patron saint of the hopeless, the unloved, and other lost causes. Told in a first person narrator pov. (Think similar to Brust. The narrator is talking to 'you personally'). The characters are phenomenal and the descriptions are great. As this is not his normal writing style it shows and can be a bit rough at some places.
This fast paced mystery is a delight with its unique show of how heaven and hell could work it makes you think. Even though it is about angels it isn't overly religious it also isn't anti-God. There is drinking, cussing, and violence. Yep the angels drink, some even to the point of drinking their Earthly bodies to death.
Heaven's most problematic angel is figuring out how he can survive being stuck in the middle of this ancient battle.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Cozy Up to Murder in Books
Apr 15, 2021
Murder is Not Music to Owen’s Ears
Owen Hunter is new to Costa Buena, having just bought one of the local used music stores in town. He’s hoping to blend in and settle into the coastal California community, however on his first day, he has several run ins with local citizens. When one of them, the owner of the rival music store, turns up dead, Owen becomes the prime suspect. He has to clean his name before his past comes out since he is in witness protection. Can he find the truth without his real identity being revealed?
Since I enjoyed the first in the series, I wanted to see what happened to our hero next. Owen is an intriguing main character, trying to put his past behind him and become a better citizen. The rest of the cast is all new (except for a couple of supporting government agents). They are a colorful lot, although they do fall into stereotypes at times. The plot is intriguing, and I didn’t figure it out. The book, especially the premise, stretches credibility quite a bit, but I find that Owen and the plot make up for that for me. It helps that this is a quick read – I breezed through it in two days instead of my normal three. Despite the flaws, I’m glad I picked this book up.
Since I enjoyed the first in the series, I wanted to see what happened to our hero next. Owen is an intriguing main character, trying to put his past behind him and become a better citizen. The rest of the cast is all new (except for a couple of supporting government agents). They are a colorful lot, although they do fall into stereotypes at times. The plot is intriguing, and I didn’t figure it out. The book, especially the premise, stretches credibility quite a bit, but I find that Owen and the plot make up for that for me. It helps that this is a quick read – I breezed through it in two days instead of my normal three. Despite the flaws, I’m glad I picked this book up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Much Ado About Nauticaling in Books
Jul 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 30, 2021)
I Really Was Hoping to Like This Debut
Whitney “Whit” Dagner and her brother Nick have relocated to Catalina Island. They visited their grandparents out there every summer, and now they are taking over their grandparents’ glass bottom boat business. Additionally, Whit is opening a souvenir shop in the harbor. She is enjoying her new life until she finds the body of Jules Tisdale, the recently named Person of the Year on Catalina. When the police decide that Nick is the killer, Whit jumps in to prove her brother’s innocence. Can she do it?
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I always love Southern California settings, although it’s been years since I visited Catalina. I certainly did enjoy the setting. Overall, the book was too frenetic, however. It was trying to be funny, but much of the humor didn’t work for me. I did laugh a few times, but overall, it was too much. This effected some of the characters, too, although I did enjoy others. Despite finding the body early on, the pace was uneven, getting better the further we got into the book. While I followed the killer and motive, the ending was rushed and left some questions about earlier twists in the book. I was hoping to love this debut, but it turned out to be average.
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I always love Southern California settings, although it’s been years since I visited Catalina. I certainly did enjoy the setting. Overall, the book was too frenetic, however. It was trying to be funny, but much of the humor didn’t work for me. I did laugh a few times, but overall, it was too much. This effected some of the characters, too, although I did enjoy others. Despite finding the body early on, the pace was uneven, getting better the further we got into the book. While I followed the killer and motive, the ending was rushed and left some questions about earlier twists in the book. I was hoping to love this debut, but it turned out to be average.
Phillip Youmans recommended There Will Be Blood (2007) in Movies (curated)
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
In 2002, an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.
I'm going to start at the end and work my way forward. When the film ended there was just silence... I don't expect cheering or anything like that, but there's normally some murmuring and movement as people are getting up. But no one realised that the film had ended because it happened so fast.
The emotion between Lady Bird and her mother towards the end of the film were really strong and it reminded me of why I'm always entertained by Laurie Metcalf.
All in all there was nothing wrong with this film. But it's just a teenage girl's life... I've led one of those, I don't need to see a film about one. It just wasn't anything exciting. After a little Googling (because I wanted to see what nominations and wins it had this award season) I discovered that the writer wants to make three more films in the same setting. I'm feeling exhausted just thinking about it.
There are lots of bits of story line that don't have any resolution. I'm not sure if that's to do with the quartet of films plan or just that they had nothing to do with Lady Bird, and that bugs me a bit.
I'm going to start at the end and work my way forward. When the film ended there was just silence... I don't expect cheering or anything like that, but there's normally some murmuring and movement as people are getting up. But no one realised that the film had ended because it happened so fast.
The emotion between Lady Bird and her mother towards the end of the film were really strong and it reminded me of why I'm always entertained by Laurie Metcalf.
All in all there was nothing wrong with this film. But it's just a teenage girl's life... I've led one of those, I don't need to see a film about one. It just wasn't anything exciting. After a little Googling (because I wanted to see what nominations and wins it had this award season) I discovered that the writer wants to make three more films in the same setting. I'm feeling exhausted just thinking about it.
There are lots of bits of story line that don't have any resolution. I'm not sure if that's to do with the quartet of films plan or just that they had nothing to do with Lady Bird, and that bugs me a bit.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Deep Blue Secret (The Water Keepers, #1) in Books
Jan 27, 2022
16 of 230
Kindle
Deep Blue Secrets ( The Water Keepers book 1)
By Christie Anderson
California teen Sadie James thinks her life couldn't get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she's rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won't even tell her his name. Each time the boy appears, Sadie's unexplainable attraction to him deepens along with her need to unravel his secrets. The boy is there to protect her. But as wonderful and exciting as it might be to have an irresistible boy with crystal green eyes protecting her every move, every minute of the day . . . why does Sadie need one? As Sadie finds answers, she realizes her life isn't as perfect as she thought. Not only is she caught in a world of dangerous secret agents she never knew existed, but it turns out her true identity may be the greatest secret of all.
So I was in between a 3.5 and 4 stars for this. For a young adult it was well written flowed really nicely and had a new story to spin. The concept was really interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was an easy enjoyable read also a new author for me.
Kindle
Deep Blue Secrets ( The Water Keepers book 1)
By Christie Anderson
California teen Sadie James thinks her life couldn't get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she's rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won't even tell her his name. Each time the boy appears, Sadie's unexplainable attraction to him deepens along with her need to unravel his secrets. The boy is there to protect her. But as wonderful and exciting as it might be to have an irresistible boy with crystal green eyes protecting her every move, every minute of the day . . . why does Sadie need one? As Sadie finds answers, she realizes her life isn't as perfect as she thought. Not only is she caught in a world of dangerous secret agents she never knew existed, but it turns out her true identity may be the greatest secret of all.
So I was in between a 3.5 and 4 stars for this. For a young adult it was well written flowed really nicely and had a new story to spin. The concept was really interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was an easy enjoyable read also a new author for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Hooked on Murder (Crochet Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 19, 2023
I Wasn’t Quite Hooked on This Debut
Recently widowed Molly Pink has landed a job as the events coordinator at a local independent bookstore. Part of that is overseeing the crochet group that meets in their event space. When one of their members, Ellen Sheridan, leaves behind her crochet needles, Molly decides to run them home. Unfortunately, she finds Ellen’s dead body, and the police are right behind her. Molly has more of a connection to Ellen then she lets on at first, and the police think that makes her a great suspect. Can she figure out what really happened?
When I realized this book was set in Southern California, I decided I had to give it a try. While there is a good mystery in here, the pacing is off, and some of the sub-plots slowed things down further. On the other hand, I loved the characters, who are varied and charming. I especially enjoyed the fictional celebrities who showed up. Part of my problem was the writing, which felt a bit vague at times, and kept me from getting fully into Molly’s world. There is a simple crochet project and a delicious sounding recipe at the end. I liked the characters enough to consider picking up the sequel, but it’s not a series I’m going to rush back to.
When I realized this book was set in Southern California, I decided I had to give it a try. While there is a good mystery in here, the pacing is off, and some of the sub-plots slowed things down further. On the other hand, I loved the characters, who are varied and charming. I especially enjoyed the fictional celebrities who showed up. Part of my problem was the writing, which felt a bit vague at times, and kept me from getting fully into Molly’s world. There is a simple crochet project and a delicious sounding recipe at the end. I liked the characters enough to consider picking up the sequel, but it’s not a series I’m going to rush back to.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated A Dismal Harvest in Books
Mar 19, 2022 (Updated Mar 19, 2022)
Handy Hidey-Hole Hides Homicide
Claudia Simcoe’s marketplace is serving as the host for a library fundraiser when one of the volunteers makes a surprising discovery. There’s a hidden compartment in the wall, and someone has opened it in the middle of the event. Claudia quickly determines that it was Clark Gowan, a local lawyer. In fact, Gowan had been part of the deal when Claudia bought the marketplace. When she goes to confront him the next morning, she discovers his dead body. Did what he took from the compartment lead to his murder?
Having enjoyed the first in the series, I was looking forward to this one, and I wasn’t disappointed. Claudia is a very relatable main character, and she leads a cast of good suspects. I did find the tenants in the marketplace hard to keep straight, but they were background characters, so that was okay. The plot is strong with plenty of pieces to keep us guessing until Claudia puts it all together. I laughed and smiled my way through the book at Claudia’s observations about what was happening. I grew up near the part of Sonoma County, California, where the fictitious San Elmo is located, so I really enjoyed that as well. If you’ve missed this series, fix that today. If you enjoyed the first, you’ll enjoy this one, too.
Having enjoyed the first in the series, I was looking forward to this one, and I wasn’t disappointed. Claudia is a very relatable main character, and she leads a cast of good suspects. I did find the tenants in the marketplace hard to keep straight, but they were background characters, so that was okay. The plot is strong with plenty of pieces to keep us guessing until Claudia puts it all together. I laughed and smiled my way through the book at Claudia’s observations about what was happening. I grew up near the part of Sonoma County, California, where the fictitious San Elmo is located, so I really enjoyed that as well. If you’ve missed this series, fix that today. If you enjoyed the first, you’ll enjoy this one, too.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Seams Like Murder in Books
Oct 4, 2022 (Updated Oct 4, 2022)
Can Abbey Sew Up a Murder?
When her life in Los Angeles falls apart, Abbey Chandler heads up the California coast to the town of Hideaway Grove where she spent many happy summers as a child visiting her aunt. Abbey’s hardly arrived before she catches a glimpse of a hit and run behind her aunt’s bakery. Now, instead of trying to figure out what to do with her life, Abbey is trying to figure out who killed the town’s new librarian. Everyone seemed to love the victim. Who wanted her dead?
This book gets out to a quick start, but then the pacing becomes uneven. There is lots of set up for future books in the series here. I enjoyed seeing Abbey reconnect with old friends and making new ones as well as discovering a love of sewing, but it did slow things down. Don’t misunderstand, there is a good mystery here, and I like how things came together at the end. I also really liked most of the characters, although the sheriff was shockingly clueless. There are many scenes in the aunt’s bakery that will have you drooling, but this is a crafting cozy series, so our extra is a guide to creating pillowcase dresses. If you are looking for a promising new series, this is one to check out.
This book gets out to a quick start, but then the pacing becomes uneven. There is lots of set up for future books in the series here. I enjoyed seeing Abbey reconnect with old friends and making new ones as well as discovering a love of sewing, but it did slow things down. Don’t misunderstand, there is a good mystery here, and I like how things came together at the end. I also really liked most of the characters, although the sheriff was shockingly clueless. There are many scenes in the aunt’s bakery that will have you drooling, but this is a crafting cozy series, so our extra is a guide to creating pillowcase dresses. If you are looking for a promising new series, this is one to check out.
