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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated The Deep End in Books
Aug 14, 2019
I’m glad I Jumped into this Series
Ellison Russell is devoted to her teenage daughter, Grace, and her art. She and her husband are still living together, but that is only because they have decided to wait to get divorced until Grace is out of the house. Part of Ellison’s routine is a swim at dawn in the country club’s pool. On this particular June morning in 1974, she swims into a dead body in the pool. Worse yet, when the police arrive and pull the body out of the pool, she recognizes the victim as Madeline Harper, her husband’s mistress. Ellison knows that she makes a pretty compelling suspect in the woman’s murder, as does her husband. She knows she is innocent and she believes that her husband may be an adulterer, but he isn’t a killer. However, the fact that he’s suddenly left town for parts unknown doesn’t make him appear innocent. Can Ellison figure out what really happened to Madeline?
I’ve been hearing about this series for years, but I kept putting off starting it. I wish I’d read it sooner. The plot starts out right away and gives us plenty of action and twists along the way. I never saw the solution coming until Ellison figured it out either. The main characters are all strong and help pull us into the world, although I do wish that we had a little more context for some of the supporting players. I was also bothered by Ellison’s love life; it just felt inappropriate for this book. I’m sure in future books I will be fine with what is set up here. The subject matter does stray to the edges of cozies, but I thought how things were handled here was fine and it didn’t bother me. I greatly enjoyed the humor in the book, mostly coming from Ellison’s narration on things. Yet it is perfectly balances with some of the more serious elements of the plot. I can see why this series has so many fans, and I’m already one of them. Now, to find time to visit Ellison again.
I’ve been hearing about this series for years, but I kept putting off starting it. I wish I’d read it sooner. The plot starts out right away and gives us plenty of action and twists along the way. I never saw the solution coming until Ellison figured it out either. The main characters are all strong and help pull us into the world, although I do wish that we had a little more context for some of the supporting players. I was also bothered by Ellison’s love life; it just felt inappropriate for this book. I’m sure in future books I will be fine with what is set up here. The subject matter does stray to the edges of cozies, but I thought how things were handled here was fine and it didn’t bother me. I greatly enjoyed the humor in the book, mostly coming from Ellison’s narration on things. Yet it is perfectly balances with some of the more serious elements of the plot. I can see why this series has so many fans, and I’m already one of them. Now, to find time to visit Ellison again.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Hold Back the Dark (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #18) in Books
Sep 27, 2018
I always love a good Bishop/SCU story.
Contains spoilers, click to show
** spoiler alert ** I was lucky enough to win a copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway!
I love, love, LOVE the Bishop/SCU books. The characters are so familiar to me, it feels like coming home each time I start a new story.
I found HOLD BACK THE DARK to be just as good as the previous installments, with one exception: the ending felt rushed. Once the team found the cave, it seemed like everything moved very quickly and then -boom- the story was over. What happened to the people who were forced by the energy to do horrible things? Does the woman who killed her family ever come out of the coma, horrified at what she's done? Does the real estate agent who killed his clients ever "snap out of it?" In addition, what about the team members who were not SCU or Haven? Do any of them decide to finally join?
While I was completely engrossed in the story from the very first page, I do wish the ending had been fleshed out a bit more. Won't stop me from continuing the series, though! :)
I love, love, LOVE the Bishop/SCU books. The characters are so familiar to me, it feels like coming home each time I start a new story.
I found HOLD BACK THE DARK to be just as good as the previous installments, with one exception: the ending felt rushed. Once the team found the cave, it seemed like everything moved very quickly and then -boom- the story was over. What happened to the people who were forced by the energy to do horrible things? Does the woman who killed her family ever come out of the coma, horrified at what she's done? Does the real estate agent who killed his clients ever "snap out of it?" In addition, what about the team members who were not SCU or Haven? Do any of them decide to finally join?
While I was completely engrossed in the story from the very first page, I do wish the ending had been fleshed out a bit more. Won't stop me from continuing the series, though! :)
Adam Lambert recommended track Zombie by The Cranberries in Something Else by The Cranberries in Music (curated)
6.0
Album
Favorite
Pete Fowler recommended Silver Apples by Silver Apples in Music (curated)
By a Thread (Elemental Assassin, #6)
9.3
Rate It
Book
The sixth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series featuring Gin...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Siren Awakened ( Thief of Hearts book 3) in Books
Mar 27, 2023
36 of 235
Kindle
Siren Awakened ( Thief of Hearts book 3)
By C.R. Jane and Mila Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
What happens to a siren who's come back from the dead?
I hope I get the chance to find out.
I've been betrayed, destroyed by the three men that I'd given my trust.
I'm alone again in this place... a place that's darker than hell.
And worse, something strange is happening to me. Something that has me wondering if I can even trust myself.
There are so many secrets in these walls, and I'm now determined to find them all out.
I'm done playing nice. This siren's going to sing once again.
Nightmare Penitentiary doesn't know what's coming.
One will risk the safety of our future. One will reveal a heartbreaking betrayal. One will bring out my own demons. And one might just be the savior I've been looking for.
Don't outstay your time at Nightmare Penitentiary. Some places you just don't survive.
It was good think a little rushed in places but a decent read. I do like this idea of all the monsters locked up together and still causing mayhem.
Kindle
Siren Awakened ( Thief of Hearts book 3)
By C.R. Jane and Mila Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
What happens to a siren who's come back from the dead?
I hope I get the chance to find out.
I've been betrayed, destroyed by the three men that I'd given my trust.
I'm alone again in this place... a place that's darker than hell.
And worse, something strange is happening to me. Something that has me wondering if I can even trust myself.
There are so many secrets in these walls, and I'm now determined to find them all out.
I'm done playing nice. This siren's going to sing once again.
Nightmare Penitentiary doesn't know what's coming.
One will risk the safety of our future. One will reveal a heartbreaking betrayal. One will bring out my own demons. And one might just be the savior I've been looking for.
Don't outstay your time at Nightmare Penitentiary. Some places you just don't survive.
It was good think a little rushed in places but a decent read. I do like this idea of all the monsters locked up together and still causing mayhem.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated Hiss Me Deadly in Books
Jun 29, 2023
Don’t Hiss at Me, but This Was a Weak Entry
Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel have been requested by Wil Threadgill, a musician coming to town to work with the music students at Athena College. Wil grew up in Athena, Mississippi, but he left forty years ago. He’s worried that something will go wrong on his return visit. And he turns out to be correct when someone dies at his opening reception. Will Charlie figure out what is going on?
It's been almost two years since the previous book in the series came out, and it was great to be seeing these characters again. All the regulars are as fun as ever, including the four legged characters. Fans will be happy with one development we get in the book. Unfortunately, the plot was weak, with Charlie not as involved as he should be. The ending is abrupt, but it does answer most of our questions. There are also some timeline issues, with Charlie living the same time twice. While the book could be stronger, fans will still be happy to see Charlie, Diesel, and the rest again.
It's been almost two years since the previous book in the series came out, and it was great to be seeing these characters again. All the regulars are as fun as ever, including the four legged characters. Fans will be happy with one development we get in the book. Unfortunately, the plot was weak, with Charlie not as involved as he should be. The ending is abrupt, but it does answer most of our questions. There are also some timeline issues, with Charlie living the same time twice. While the book could be stronger, fans will still be happy to see Charlie, Diesel, and the rest again.
Death on the Golden Mile
8.0
Rate It
Book
When a woman Clark Thomas has never seen before sits down across from him in his bookstore, she...
Debbiereadsbook (1630 KP) rated A War of Daisies (The Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse #1) in Books
Jan 5, 2021
a book that takes you out of your usual comfort zone, and it does it in such a way, you do NOT see it coming!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
There comes along, once in a rare while, a book that takes you out of your usual comfort zone, and it does it in such a way, you do NOT see it coming! This is such a book!
I read the blurb, it sounded interesting, but I really wasn't expecting to be blown away, and so much so, I was reading this book at 3.30am, cos I coulnd't put it down!
All four women have a say, and for their time, they have a LOT to say. They are all are feeling repressed and held down, for one reason or other, and it takes time for those reasons to fully become clear. Once all four are together in one place, a freak weather storm leaves them with powers, and those powers will get them what they what: freedom.
Freedom, however, comes at a price. And its that price, that TWIST that I did not see coming! I love being puddled along, you know? Taking my time, enjoying what I'm reading, a few questions lurking, but not really seeing where this is going, or that it'll be a 5 star read. And then BAM, right near the end, things become clear, many questions are answered, and then many MORE pop up. The four womens lives are drawn into a tighter circle, and their roles become a bit more solid, but still I'm not sure where this is gonna go!
Some things happened here that I did not see coming, and I loved being proven wrong about things, even if the reality on the page is far worse than I thought.
There is, apart from that bit I just mentioned, no romance in this book, but there is violence. The women are, afterall, War, Pestilence, Famine and Death. But it's not graphic, at all,but written in such a way that you don't see it coming at ya, not at first. When things become a little clearer, then you do see it coming, but again, written in such a great way!
It's been a long time since I tried to write a gushing review without giving anything away, but I think I managed it here. Had I gone into too much detail, I think the womens secrets would have been told, and you need to discover them in the pages of the book, I think, for you to fully appreciate them.
Written with all the words and customs and attitudes of the time (1894, United States) it throws up some *AH* moments and some *NOOOOOOOOOOO? really? they did that?* moments and some *oh my gosh, they did NOT!* moments, and I loved them all!
In case you didn't get it, I loved this book! I hope I can get my grubby mitts on the next one!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
There comes along, once in a rare while, a book that takes you out of your usual comfort zone, and it does it in such a way, you do NOT see it coming! This is such a book!
I read the blurb, it sounded interesting, but I really wasn't expecting to be blown away, and so much so, I was reading this book at 3.30am, cos I coulnd't put it down!
All four women have a say, and for their time, they have a LOT to say. They are all are feeling repressed and held down, for one reason or other, and it takes time for those reasons to fully become clear. Once all four are together in one place, a freak weather storm leaves them with powers, and those powers will get them what they what: freedom.
Freedom, however, comes at a price. And its that price, that TWIST that I did not see coming! I love being puddled along, you know? Taking my time, enjoying what I'm reading, a few questions lurking, but not really seeing where this is going, or that it'll be a 5 star read. And then BAM, right near the end, things become clear, many questions are answered, and then many MORE pop up. The four womens lives are drawn into a tighter circle, and their roles become a bit more solid, but still I'm not sure where this is gonna go!
Some things happened here that I did not see coming, and I loved being proven wrong about things, even if the reality on the page is far worse than I thought.
There is, apart from that bit I just mentioned, no romance in this book, but there is violence. The women are, afterall, War, Pestilence, Famine and Death. But it's not graphic, at all,but written in such a way that you don't see it coming at ya, not at first. When things become a little clearer, then you do see it coming, but again, written in such a great way!
It's been a long time since I tried to write a gushing review without giving anything away, but I think I managed it here. Had I gone into too much detail, I think the womens secrets would have been told, and you need to discover them in the pages of the book, I think, for you to fully appreciate them.
Written with all the words and customs and attitudes of the time (1894, United States) it throws up some *AH* moments and some *NOOOOOOOOOOO? really? they did that?* moments and some *oh my gosh, they did NOT!* moments, and I loved them all!
In case you didn't get it, I loved this book! I hope I can get my grubby mitts on the next one!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Perfect Mother in Books
Apr 3, 2019
The May Mothers is a group of first time mothers in New York City who all have babies coming in May. Winnie, Francie, Nell, Collette, and Token seem to have the closest relationships in the group. The ladies meet before the babies are born and then a couple of months after the babies are born, they decide it's a good time for them to have a night out to enjoy themselves. Nell arranges for them to all meet at a bar called The Jolly Llama. While there, Winnie's son, Midas goes missing. All of the women are determined to find out what happened. But in their investigations, they find out more about each other than they ever could have imagined.
I really enjoyed this book. Normally, I listen to audio books on they way back and forth to work or when I'm in the car, but I found myself listening to this book as often as I could, so I could find out what happened to Baby Midas. The author has you fooled for a while thinking one person is responsible for this heinous crime, but then the twist comes along and **BOOM** mind blown. I didn't see it coming.
The funny part was when the twist did come, I was walking around the grocery store and I said a little loudly, "What the F***!" That got a few people to look in my direction. I was never a part of a mommy group, so I couldn't quite relate to that part of the story. But being concerned about the welfare of your child is something every mother can relate too. There were parts when I was sure I knew how this story was going to end. But I was quite shocked. Another great un-put-downable.
This is the first book I've read by Aimee Molloy, but I look forward to reading more. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend that you do.
I really enjoyed this book. Normally, I listen to audio books on they way back and forth to work or when I'm in the car, but I found myself listening to this book as often as I could, so I could find out what happened to Baby Midas. The author has you fooled for a while thinking one person is responsible for this heinous crime, but then the twist comes along and **BOOM** mind blown. I didn't see it coming.
The funny part was when the twist did come, I was walking around the grocery store and I said a little loudly, "What the F***!" That got a few people to look in my direction. I was never a part of a mommy group, so I couldn't quite relate to that part of the story. But being concerned about the welfare of your child is something every mother can relate too. There were parts when I was sure I knew how this story was going to end. But I was quite shocked. Another great un-put-downable.
This is the first book I've read by Aimee Molloy, but I look forward to reading more. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend that you do.