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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Before The Devil Knows You're Dead in Books
Nov 8, 2019
It is a snowy Hogmanay in Glasgow. Obstetric Surgeon Gavin Law has made an accusation of malpractice against a colleague, Wallace Maitland, only for an accusation to be made against him. Wallace Maitland doesn't remember Hogmanay but did end up covered in blood. Sean Rafferty is now the head of gangster family having taken over from his violent father Jimmy and is having a party to try to appear respectable.
When Law disappears on that fateful Hogmanay, private detective Charlie Cameron takes on the case to find him. But with no leads he also agrees to look at an apparent suicide for his policeman friend DS Geddes, something will put him on a collision course with Rafferty, a man who has tried to kill Cameron in the past.
This, roughly, is the setting for the third of the Charlie Cameron crime thrillers. Detective novels require their plot and characterisation to be convincing and Mullen delivers both. Cameron is always convincing, and an entertaining narrator of the events as he witnesses them. The usual supporting cast of Pat Logue and Geddes are in fine form and Rafferty seems even more of a threat when in the role of a respectable businessman. The various others involved in the cases all ring true as well. Mullen has a knack for not only making his characters believable but very human and realistic as well.
The plotting did not disappoint either with the Law case especially baffling as all avenues of investigation peter out to nothing, and Cameron's frustration at this is clear. The final reveal caught me by surprise but fits everything together perfectly. It certainly kept me guessing, although to be honest I was enjoying simply following Cameron around and seeing his world too much to spend much time worrying about who did it.
This was a book that I enjoyed reading enormously. Mullen is a terrific writer and Cameron and the world he inhabits is a living breathing thing in his hands. Very very highly recommended.
When Law disappears on that fateful Hogmanay, private detective Charlie Cameron takes on the case to find him. But with no leads he also agrees to look at an apparent suicide for his policeman friend DS Geddes, something will put him on a collision course with Rafferty, a man who has tried to kill Cameron in the past.
This, roughly, is the setting for the third of the Charlie Cameron crime thrillers. Detective novels require their plot and characterisation to be convincing and Mullen delivers both. Cameron is always convincing, and an entertaining narrator of the events as he witnesses them. The usual supporting cast of Pat Logue and Geddes are in fine form and Rafferty seems even more of a threat when in the role of a respectable businessman. The various others involved in the cases all ring true as well. Mullen has a knack for not only making his characters believable but very human and realistic as well.
The plotting did not disappoint either with the Law case especially baffling as all avenues of investigation peter out to nothing, and Cameron's frustration at this is clear. The final reveal caught me by surprise but fits everything together perfectly. It certainly kept me guessing, although to be honest I was enjoying simply following Cameron around and seeing his world too much to spend much time worrying about who did it.
This was a book that I enjoyed reading enormously. Mullen is a terrific writer and Cameron and the world he inhabits is a living breathing thing in his hands. Very very highly recommended.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated If I'm Being Honest in Books
Jan 6, 2021
This review and more can be found at my blog https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
This starts with Cameron eating lunch with her two best friends and trying to do her Econ coursework. They start chatting about a party where Cameron's crush, Andrew, will be at the weekend and she plans to tell him she likes him. But things don't go great when they get interrupted and Cameron is really horrible to them, causing Andrew to call her a b*tch. She decides to try and publicly apologise to the girl who interrupted them and do it in front of Andrew but the girl points out something obvious and things get worse with Andrew. She then decides to make a list of people she needs to apologise to and tries to figure out how.
I actually got really into this staying up until midnight last night to get to the 80% mark. I was drawn in by Cameron and the journey she went on from just being brutally honest and a bit of a b*tch to someone who enjoyed being friends and spending time with the less popular crowd. It was a great read and Cameron's internal thinking was interesting.
Cameron and Brendan were super cute. They had quite a lot in common and I found myself rooting for them from early on. I'll admit I had a little cry at a few bits. Some of the tears were for Cameron in regards to her dad, and some were for her and Brendan when he took something the wrong way and I felt as wounded as Cameron did.
I've read this is based on The Taming of the Shrew but I'm not that big a fan of Shakespeare so I can't compare as I've never read the book/seen the play but Cameron's views on it helped me understand it a lot more.
I'd enjoy reading more books from this writing duo.
A Romance Reader's Reviews
This starts with Cameron eating lunch with her two best friends and trying to do her Econ coursework. They start chatting about a party where Cameron's crush, Andrew, will be at the weekend and she plans to tell him she likes him. But things don't go great when they get interrupted and Cameron is really horrible to them, causing Andrew to call her a b*tch. She decides to try and publicly apologise to the girl who interrupted them and do it in front of Andrew but the girl points out something obvious and things get worse with Andrew. She then decides to make a list of people she needs to apologise to and tries to figure out how.
I actually got really into this staying up until midnight last night to get to the 80% mark. I was drawn in by Cameron and the journey she went on from just being brutally honest and a bit of a b*tch to someone who enjoyed being friends and spending time with the less popular crowd. It was a great read and Cameron's internal thinking was interesting.
Cameron and Brendan were super cute. They had quite a lot in common and I found myself rooting for them from early on. I'll admit I had a little cry at a few bits. Some of the tears were for Cameron in regards to her dad, and some were for her and Brendan when he took something the wrong way and I felt as wounded as Cameron did.
I've read this is based on The Taming of the Shrew but I'm not that big a fan of Shakespeare so I can't compare as I've never read the book/seen the play but Cameron's views on it helped me understand it a lot more.
I'd enjoy reading more books from this writing duo.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about Deception in TV
Nov 3, 2017
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Old Friends and New Enemies (Charlie Cameron #2) in Books
Nov 21, 2019
Glasgow private detective Charlie Cameron finds himself out of his depth when he finds out that an old friend has been killed. Getting on the wrong side of an organised crime family would be bad enough but just when he needs hits wits about him the personal nature of the case clouds his judgement. And things aren't made easier by a police detective with a grudge who thinks he is guilty.
This is a terrifically gritty crime novel. Glasgow is a good setting for this kind of work and Mullen does a great job of describing the city and the surroundings. Cameron is a very likeable character and seems very believable. The rest of the cast are just as well defined, from Cameron's slightly dodgy friend to the Rafferty family who are nasty but with a solid basis on why they are.
As the plot unfolds the reader knows more than Cameron which makes some of his mis-steps in dealing with the case agonising to read when he puts himself in more danger when he is trying to extricate himself. The ending ties everything up neatly but don't expect a fairy tale ending.
Overall this is a terrific crime novel and if the other Cameron books are anything like this then it will be a series to get hold of.
This is a terrifically gritty crime novel. Glasgow is a good setting for this kind of work and Mullen does a great job of describing the city and the surroundings. Cameron is a very likeable character and seems very believable. The rest of the cast are just as well defined, from Cameron's slightly dodgy friend to the Rafferty family who are nasty but with a solid basis on why they are.
As the plot unfolds the reader knows more than Cameron which makes some of his mis-steps in dealing with the case agonising to read when he puts himself in more danger when he is trying to extricate himself. The ending ties everything up neatly but don't expect a fairy tale ending.
Overall this is a terrific crime novel and if the other Cameron books are anything like this then it will be a series to get hold of.
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Remarkably Bright Creatures in Books
Mar 12, 2023
Lovely lovely lovely! A fabulous book! And to think I passed this one by when it was on the Kindle Daily Deal because I thought a book about an octopus sounded ridiculous. Obviously, this was before I had read Laline Paull’s Pod. So I’m pleased that The Pigeonhole drew me in and I got the chance to read about the Giant Pacific Octopus and all-round genius, Marcellus.
Honestly, I lived for the chapters from Marcellus. Wise, intelligent and perceptive, he is instrumental in sorting two of the main characters - Tova and Cameron - out.
I mean, the humans in this novel are lovely too. Tova lives alone since her husband died and cleans at her local aquarium until she has an accident and hurts her ankle. Whilst she is recovering, Cameron takes over. He has arrived in town searching of the father he has never met. His mother abandoned him as a child, and his aunt has always cared for him. Cameron is a lost soul, and he has landed in just the right place. Sowell Bay is full of the kindest people and luckily, Cameron meets them all - including Marcellus.
This is a touching story, and ultimately one of those books that swallows you up in the warmest of hugs.
So do I recommend it? Err, see above! 👆🏼
Honestly, I lived for the chapters from Marcellus. Wise, intelligent and perceptive, he is instrumental in sorting two of the main characters - Tova and Cameron - out.
I mean, the humans in this novel are lovely too. Tova lives alone since her husband died and cleans at her local aquarium until she has an accident and hurts her ankle. Whilst she is recovering, Cameron takes over. He has arrived in town searching of the father he has never met. His mother abandoned him as a child, and his aunt has always cared for him. Cameron is a lost soul, and he has landed in just the right place. Sowell Bay is full of the kindest people and luckily, Cameron meets them all - including Marcellus.
This is a touching story, and ultimately one of those books that swallows you up in the warmest of hugs.
So do I recommend it? Err, see above! 👆🏼
Paris Hilton recommended There's Something About Mary (1998) in Movies (curated)
Ana Lily Amirpour recommended Being John Malkovich (1999) in Movies (curated)
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated It Runs in the Family (2003) in Movies
Apr 28, 2021
The Douglas Family
It Runs in the Family- stars Micheal Douglas, Kirk Douglas, Cameron Douglas and Diana Douglas. Its a funny, entertaining, dramatic film.
The plot: Three generations of males -- grandfather Mitch Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), son Alex (Michael Douglas) and grandson Asher (Cameron Douglas) -- try to chart their way through personal upheavals and come together after Mitch suffers a stroke. Alex, a womanizer going through a midlife crisis and fearing he's become like his neglectful father, attempts to save Asher from a life of drugs. None of them wanted to turn into their fathers, but it'll take a lot more than wishes to heal the damage done.
Highly recordmend.
The plot: Three generations of males -- grandfather Mitch Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), son Alex (Michael Douglas) and grandson Asher (Cameron Douglas) -- try to chart their way through personal upheavals and come together after Mitch suffers a stroke. Alex, a womanizer going through a midlife crisis and fearing he's become like his neglectful father, attempts to save Asher from a life of drugs. None of them wanted to turn into their fathers, but it'll take a lot more than wishes to heal the damage done.
Highly recordmend.
Chayu (810 KP) rated Descendants 3 (2019) in Movies
Aug 28, 2019
Great
Everything is just as great as in previous movies, or maybe even better. New villian. Old enemies become allies. Maybe even friends? Lessons about not letting fear control you, second chances and forgiveness. Disney trilogy for whole family.
RIP Cameron, an amazing and sunny actor.
RIP Cameron, an amazing and sunny actor.
Ronnie (304 KP) rated The Miseducation of Cameron Post in Books
Feb 29, 2020
The Miseducation of Cameron Post has the potential to be a beautiful and moving piece of literature
Hours before her parents died, Cameron Post was kissing a girl. Now living with her conservative aunt, she has to hide her sexuality, but when her aunt finds out that she is more than friends with beautiful Coley Taylor, everything changes.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post has the potential to be a beautiful and moving piece of literature, but it isn’t. The book felt unnecessary and I feel like I wasted my time, taking nearly a year to finish it. Parts of the book felt as if they didn’t exactly fit in and could easily have been left out. I also thought that the ending left a lot to be desired.
I was really excited to read this book after reading lots of amazing reviews about it, but I was extremely disappointed. I wish I had left it on the DNF pile rather than forcing myself to finish it, in the hope that it would get better.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post has the potential to be a beautiful and moving piece of literature, but it isn’t. The book felt unnecessary and I feel like I wasted my time, taking nearly a year to finish it. Parts of the book felt as if they didn’t exactly fit in and could easily have been left out. I also thought that the ending left a lot to be desired.
I was really excited to read this book after reading lots of amazing reviews about it, but I was extremely disappointed. I wish I had left it on the DNF pile rather than forcing myself to finish it, in the hope that it would get better.