Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Bronzed Betrayals in Books
Feb 13, 2021 (Updated Feb 13, 2021)
The Unexpected Body in Laurel’s Room
Laurel Beacham and Jack Hawkes are enjoying a night out together. Well, that might be an exaggeration since they are at a party they aren’t enjoying. However, it provides the perfect cover for an art recovery that the two have planned. That recovery doesn’t go as planned, but the night really spins out of control when Laurel returns to her hotel room to find a dead body. She knows the victim, but who killed the person? Are they trying to frame Laurel?
As always with this series, I have to warn you not to jump in here. There are so many ongoing plot threads that you won’t fully appreciate what happens here if you do – not to mention the twists that will be spoiled from earlier books. Fans of the series will be very happy with this book. There is plenty of action to keep them glued to the page, and the advancement we get on the ongoing stories is satisfying. All this while providing us with a beginning, middle, and end to the story told here. I went into the book thinking that this was the final book of the series, but clearly that won’t be the case with the plot threads that were left open and the cliffhanger we get. Meanwhile, the characters are showing some maturity, which I enjoyed. When you are in the mood for a cozy caper, I highly recommend this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
As always with this series, I have to warn you not to jump in here. There are so many ongoing plot threads that you won’t fully appreciate what happens here if you do – not to mention the twists that will be spoiled from earlier books. Fans of the series will be very happy with this book. There is plenty of action to keep them glued to the page, and the advancement we get on the ongoing stories is satisfying. All this while providing us with a beginning, middle, and end to the story told here. I went into the book thinking that this was the final book of the series, but clearly that won’t be the case with the plot threads that were left open and the cliffhanger we get. Meanwhile, the characters are showing some maturity, which I enjoyed. When you are in the mood for a cozy caper, I highly recommend this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
Allelopathy: A Physiological Process with Ecological Implications
Manuel J. Reigosa, Nuria Pedrol and Luis Gonzalez
Book
There are many good books in the market dealing with the subject of allelopathy. When we designed...
Merissa (13389 KP) rated Lost Shores of Thonis in Books
Oct 14, 2025
LOST SHORES OF THONIS is a standalone historical mystery with a touch of the supernatural, based on the real lost city of Thonis-Heracleion. Now, I say this is a standalone, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels as though it is the first book in a series, as not everything is explained, finished, or tied up neatly with a pretty little bow.
Told from Azizi's perspective, you find out how she and two others became 'Blessed', what happened to Meryt, and how she finds out the 'truth'. There are a multitude of characters here that aid and abet with Azizi, or are against her. I'll leave it to you to figure out which.
I did struggle with parts of this as Egyptian history isn't one of my fortitudes. Not only that, but the tales of Nubia and the secrets revealed didn't always make much sense to me. However, the mystery of the story itself was intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn more as each chapter unfolded. I also could have done with an Egyptian translation to figure out the meaning behind certain words, but I made it through.
This was a great read by an author I admire, so I'm definitely happy that I read it, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 13, 2025
Told from Azizi's perspective, you find out how she and two others became 'Blessed', what happened to Meryt, and how she finds out the 'truth'. There are a multitude of characters here that aid and abet with Azizi, or are against her. I'll leave it to you to figure out which.
I did struggle with parts of this as Egyptian history isn't one of my fortitudes. Not only that, but the tales of Nubia and the secrets revealed didn't always make much sense to me. However, the mystery of the story itself was intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn more as each chapter unfolded. I also could have done with an Egyptian translation to figure out the meaning behind certain words, but I made it through.
This was a great read by an author I admire, so I'm definitely happy that I read it, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 13, 2025
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated The Former World in Books
Apr 27, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Was truly amazing. I loved the characters and how every time you think you might know what is going on, it flips everything you think you know on its head. I found this to have some particularly good points about being a young girl and how relationships worked. I also enjoyed the scenery, which you can't help but admire while reading. Even with the perspective being from the main character's eyes, I found myself thrilled at every word and page. I did find it started off a little slow, but once I finished chapter 2, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I was glad to see it didn't focus too much o side details or rants, though it had that potential. I thought it moved smoothly through the story without giving too much away. Makes me excited to pick the rest of the 5 book series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated The Mystery at Lilac Inn in Books
Jun 6, 2018
Helping a Friend in Need
Nancy Drew and her friend Helen are traveling to Lilac Inn, which their friend Emily just bought. Before they can even arrive, the canoe they were traveling in capsized. Things get even more mysterious at the inn, where unexplained things have started happening. And back in River Heights, someone is impersonating Nancy. What is going on?
The mystery only gets more complex from there, and that’s my biggest complaint with the book. So many different elements are introduced that it becomes overly convoluted and takes the villain explaining everything for the better part of a chapter in the end. Still, all the action does keep the reader glued to the page. The characters are sympathetic enough to make us care about the outcome but are their usual thin selves. Most of the dated elements will be okay, although kids might be thrown by Nancy’s charge plate. I know I was.
The mystery only gets more complex from there, and that’s my biggest complaint with the book. So many different elements are introduced that it becomes overly convoluted and takes the villain explaining everything for the better part of a chapter in the end. Still, all the action does keep the reader glued to the page. The characters are sympathetic enough to make us care about the outcome but are their usual thin selves. Most of the dated elements will be okay, although kids might be thrown by Nancy’s charge plate. I know I was.
I have 2 young boys (ages 3 and 5) so I jumped on the opportunity to review this Action Storybook Bible. Filled with lots of color and illustrations this Bible holds their attention well and keeps them engaged. With stories about Creation, Noah, Moses, and Jesus (plus loads more) your children will get a fun overview of the Bible. At the end of each "chapter" there is a "Life, Faith, Action!" section that reviews the story, challenges the child to think, and ends with a prayer.
Beautiful and STUNNING illustrations grace the pages of this Bible like you have never seen before.
I am excited to continue reading through this book with my kiddos and I know that they will love reading it on their own in the years to come.
I received a complimentary copy of The Action Storybook Bible. I was not required to submit a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Beautiful and STUNNING illustrations grace the pages of this Bible like you have never seen before.
I am excited to continue reading through this book with my kiddos and I know that they will love reading it on their own in the years to come.
I received a complimentary copy of The Action Storybook Bible. I was not required to submit a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Last Argument of Kings in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The final part in [a:Joe Abercrombie|276660|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1421267339p2/276660.jpg]'s 'The First Law' series, I have to say that I found this one pretty heavy going at times, at times almost a chore to read through.
The title, apparently, comes from an inscription made on his cannons by Louis XIV and is pretty apt for this novel, dealing (as it does) pretty much with all-out war (even if it does take about halfway throught the book before that actually happens). Once again following it's protaganists more-or-less chapter about, I can understand where this is coming from in showing that life isn't fair, but since I found none of those protaganists not really all that engaging, and with the only one who even seems to show any redeeming qualities being the one that doesn't make it all the way to the end ...
Not that impressed (sorry).
The title, apparently, comes from an inscription made on his cannons by Louis XIV and is pretty apt for this novel, dealing (as it does) pretty much with all-out war (even if it does take about halfway throught the book before that actually happens). Once again following it's protaganists more-or-less chapter about, I can understand where this is coming from in showing that life isn't fair, but since I found none of those protaganists not really all that engaging, and with the only one who even seems to show any redeeming qualities being the one that doesn't make it all the way to the end ...
Not that impressed (sorry).
The Romanovs: The Final Chapter
Book
The compelling quest to solve a great mystery of the twentieth century: the ultimate fate of...
Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion: A Psychological Perspective
Book
Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion bridges the gap between social science theory and...
Mathematical Foundations of Infinite-Dimensional Statistical Models
Evarist Gine and Richard Nickl
Book
In nonparametric and high-dimensional statistical models, the classical Gauss-Fisher-Le Cam theory...