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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated Murder on Amsterdam Avenue in Books

Jul 7, 2021 (Updated Jul 7, 2021)  
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue
Victoria Thompson | 2015 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Poisoner on the Lose
Frank Malloy has moved into the house that he and Sarah Brandt will share after they get married, but they have to wait until restoration is done on the house to actually get married, and the workers are taking their sweet time about it. Meanwhile, Sarah accompanies her mother on a condolence call to the home of the Oakes family. Charles suddenly got sick and died a few days later. The Oakes have been friends with Sarah’s family for years, and so, on the visit, Charles’s father asks if Frank will investigate the death. He thinks that something is not right about it. It isn’t long before Frank confirms that Charles was poisoned. But who would poison him?

While these are historical mysteries, history doesn’t always come into play in these books. Here it does in a couple of different ways, and I enjoyed both of them. Fans of the series will be delighted with how the character’s lives are progressing. The mystery was a little slower than most, or maybe it just felt like it to me because I guessed some parts of the plot early on. Even so, I enjoyed some of the twists along the way to the satisfying climax. We get plenty of the supporting characters here, and I am enjoying how they are developing. The characters’ lives are transitioning still in this book, and long-time fans will be happy with how that progresses. This isn’t the strongest in the series, but it will still please fans.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated Bluffing is Murder in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
BI
Bluffing is Murder
Tace Baker | 2014
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
While out for a run, Lauren finds the body of Charles Heard, a man she had publically argued with the previous day. Is local politics involved in his death? Or is something else in play?

The mystery in this one could have been stronger, but I did still enjoy the book. The plot was always moving forward, and the characters are great. Watching the growth between the books makes it even more interesting.

NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
SECOND NOTE: Tace Baker is actually a pen name for Edith Maxwell and no relation to me.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-bluffing-is-murder-by-tace.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Amanda (96 KP) rated Soul Suites in Books

Mar 14, 2019  
Soul Suites
Soul Suites
Hulden Morse | 2018 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
7
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. So thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

***There will be a SLIGHT Spoiler***

I wasn't entirely sure about it. The story starts off with the author stating that he is recounting what he has done and feels the story should be told. So at first, you're thinking, wait? Is this a true story?

The more I read about Reaching Dreams and Charles Pearson's disappearance, the more I really started to wonder if this was truly a real story. About halfway through the book, I finally decided to just google the story and the company. Surprise, surprise...yeah, not real.

Basically, Charles Pearson (CEO of Reaching Dreams) goes undercover as a homeless man in one of their districts in the streets of Chicago to see how this company was thriving while others were not. One night, while he was sleeping in his sleeping bag, he was picked up and taken to an unknown location, along with quite a few others that have gone missing.

The establishment is run by Dr. Raymond, whom is such a fickle kind of character. I inflicts torture on these people and actually KILLS them to prove that there is indeed an afterlife, but he misses having a relationship with patients and wants to connect with them. It really rubbed me the wrong way how the guards and other technicians are just OKAY with the procedures because they get paid well and benefits. Money makes the world go round, unfortunately.

Reading through this story, it makes me sad to think about some people who do live on the streets and are just trying to get by. There are some, however, that choose to live on the streets because they are essentially free.

The story was difficult to read, but it wasn't a bad story either. It's told by an unreliable narrator for the most part, which are not my favorite kind of books. I will say, Morse had me going. The story was pretty steady paced. Some chapters were long detail that were a bit drawn out, but it's necessary to understand each individuals backgrounds.

Charles' story is heartbreaking that it was a struggle to read through some of it.

Even though the story is fiction, you can't rule out the possibility that something like this could very well be hidden and we have no idea about it. Something to think about.

It is dark and has some detailed stories on some people and torture.