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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Isolation (Faye Longchamp, #9) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
Faye Longchamp lives on a small island with her family. Going to the mainland for breakfast one morning, her husband and recently-released-from-jail father-in-law find a local woman dead in the water off her restaurants pier. Fearing that her father-in-law might make an easy scapegoat, Faye starts looking into the murder
This book started out slow, and I wasnt sure I was going to like it. In the beginning of the story, we learn that Faye has recently suffered a miscarriage, and shes having trouble coming to terms with the loss. Faye muddles around in a haze for several chapters, but as she starts to come back to herself, the book picks up pace as well. Once it gets going and you look back on the slow beginning, you can see that it is fitting considering Fayes state of mind. Im glad I didnt give up during the slow part, because it finished up as a quick-moving, cant-stop-until-I-know-who-did-it mystery.
Faye Longchamp lives on a small island with her family. Going to the mainland for breakfast one morning, her husband and recently-released-from-jail father-in-law find a local woman dead in the water off her restaurants pier. Fearing that her father-in-law might make an easy scapegoat, Faye starts looking into the murder
This book started out slow, and I wasnt sure I was going to like it. In the beginning of the story, we learn that Faye has recently suffered a miscarriage, and shes having trouble coming to terms with the loss. Faye muddles around in a haze for several chapters, but as she starts to come back to herself, the book picks up pace as well. Once it gets going and you look back on the slow beginning, you can see that it is fitting considering Fayes state of mind. Im glad I didnt give up during the slow part, because it finished up as a quick-moving, cant-stop-until-I-know-who-did-it mystery.
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
Jun 11, 2018
The Cast (4 more)
The storyline
The humor
The action
The CGI characters
Better than the original... No really, I mean it.
Liked it better than the original. Still kept the funny coming from every angle, still stayed true to the characters, and it was just a fun comic book movie overall.
Deadpool 2 progresses from the Deadpool in a number of ways. We explore Wade and the rest of the cast in a lot more detail. We also get to see Wade working out his demons with a team of super heroes instead of just by himself for the most of the movie.
Personally, for me, this was the best X-Movie of them all. Better than the originals and maybe only surpassed by Logan on some levels. I really don't think it missed for me at all. Not having Vanessa in it made sense but I did get the reasoning behind it.
Stay until the end. You get a few more scenes and then at the very end you get a reprise of one of the best musical moments in the flick.
Deadpool 2 progresses from the Deadpool in a number of ways. We explore Wade and the rest of the cast in a lot more detail. We also get to see Wade working out his demons with a team of super heroes instead of just by himself for the most of the movie.
Personally, for me, this was the best X-Movie of them all. Better than the originals and maybe only surpassed by Logan on some levels. I really don't think it missed for me at all. Not having Vanessa in it made sense but I did get the reasoning behind it.
Stay until the end. You get a few more scenes and then at the very end you get a reprise of one of the best musical moments in the flick.
#tubing
A pretty successful debut ... original, darkly erotic and thrilling and one which will make you look a bit harder the next time you are on a train .... or not!
This book is not one I would normally go for as I tend to keep away from overly sexual books but there was something about the synopsis that attracted me to read this ... maybe it's my dark side coming out!
The main character, Polly, is a complex and deeply flawed individual formed by a troubled upbringing and addictive personality. Not happy with her seemingly perfect life, Polly goes awry following an erotic encounter on the tube and she becomes addicted to finding that stranger again and in the process, becomes embroiled in the what can only be described as "seedy" practice of #tubing.
Written at a fast pace in an easy-to-read style with great characters, this book will immerse you in a hidden world that might just exist in the cramped and overcrowded tube system.
Thank you to the publisher, RedDoor Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I look forward to Ms McKeagney's next outing.
This book is not one I would normally go for as I tend to keep away from overly sexual books but there was something about the synopsis that attracted me to read this ... maybe it's my dark side coming out!
The main character, Polly, is a complex and deeply flawed individual formed by a troubled upbringing and addictive personality. Not happy with her seemingly perfect life, Polly goes awry following an erotic encounter on the tube and she becomes addicted to finding that stranger again and in the process, becomes embroiled in the what can only be described as "seedy" practice of #tubing.
Written at a fast pace in an easy-to-read style with great characters, this book will immerse you in a hidden world that might just exist in the cramped and overcrowded tube system.
Thank you to the publisher, RedDoor Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I look forward to Ms McKeagney's next outing.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Waffles and Pancakes in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a charming story about bullying and its effects, as told through the pictures and words of hamsters. Waffles and Pancakes haven't been acting themselves ever since a certain trip to the vet, where they met a guinea pig named Oscar. He bullies them and makes them feel bad and afraid. Once their owners figure out what's wrong, they talk to the boy who owns Oscar, and he's mean to them for coming to his house. The boys learn he doesn't have many friends, and he's a bully to make up for his hurt feelings at being alone. They all decide to be friends, including Oscar, Waffles, and Pancakes, and the story has a very happy ending.
This would be a great book to share with younger kids and older ones alike. Everybody has been involved in bullying in some way, either as the bully, the one being picked on, or the friend of either. It's time to put a stop to bullying, and I believe this story would be an excellent starting point to have that discussion. Wonderfully written and illustrated!
5 stars
This is such a charming story about bullying and its effects, as told through the pictures and words of hamsters. Waffles and Pancakes haven't been acting themselves ever since a certain trip to the vet, where they met a guinea pig named Oscar. He bullies them and makes them feel bad and afraid. Once their owners figure out what's wrong, they talk to the boy who owns Oscar, and he's mean to them for coming to his house. The boys learn he doesn't have many friends, and he's a bully to make up for his hurt feelings at being alone. They all decide to be friends, including Oscar, Waffles, and Pancakes, and the story has a very happy ending.
This would be a great book to share with younger kids and older ones alike. Everybody has been involved in bullying in some way, either as the bully, the one being picked on, or the friend of either. It's time to put a stop to bullying, and I believe this story would be an excellent starting point to have that discussion. Wonderfully written and illustrated!
5 stars
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated A Souffle of Suspicion in Books
Jul 11, 2018
Crush Week, Sweets Fest, and Murder
Things are hopping at Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Tourists have flocked to the Napa Valley for Crush Week and the first Sweet Treat festival is being hosted on the grounds of the hotel. Mimi is thrilled that both hotel and restaurant are booked solid for the week. Things take a deadly turn when Renee, the festival organizer and sister of Mimi’s head chef Camille, is found murdered in Camille’s kitchen. Who had a reason to murder the woman?
It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.
It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Death of Mrs Westaway in Books
Jul 6, 2018
You'll be on the edge of your seat!
Suspenseful. This is my first Ruth Ware novel, and it was definitely suspenseful. It reminded me a lot of the Agatha Christie films - a family shut away in a big old house with a mystery to solve. But this has a very modern edge to it. The house is still spooky though: I expected it to go full on James Herbert (it didn't)!
Hal gets a letter to tell her that she has come in to some money, after the death of a rich grandmother she has never known about. Up to this point, she has been living hand to mouth with loan sharks after her. She reads tarot cards on Brighton pier (not the good one). She goes to her grandmothers funeral and decides that she is going to try and 'blag' the money out of the will. She can't possibly be related to these people! This is where it gets very interesting and all twisty-turny.
Great characters and a great story. I didn't see the end coming at all!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author for my copy of this book.
Hal gets a letter to tell her that she has come in to some money, after the death of a rich grandmother she has never known about. Up to this point, she has been living hand to mouth with loan sharks after her. She reads tarot cards on Brighton pier (not the good one). She goes to her grandmothers funeral and decides that she is going to try and 'blag' the money out of the will. She can't possibly be related to these people! This is where it gets very interesting and all twisty-turny.
Great characters and a great story. I didn't see the end coming at all!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author for my copy of this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Murder on Marble Row in Books
Sep 26, 2018
Frank and Sarah have an Explosive New Case
When a bomb goes off in the office of millionaire Gregory Van Dyke, everyone assumes it is anarchists. Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is assigned to the case at the specific request of Felix Decker, Sarah Brandt's father. Frank fears this means he is being set up for failure. Meanwhile, Sarah worms her way into the investigation thanks to her friendship with the Van Dyke family. Are anarchists really behind it? If not, who set the bomb?
Once again, we have a wonderfully plotted mystery. I was usually only one or two pages ahead of Frank and Sarah as they pieced everything together, and I was surprised once they figured everything out. The characters are strong as always, with both the series regulars and new characters coming across as real. Sarah's mother plays a larger role in what happens here, and I really enjoyed her scenes. There was always something happening, and I had a hard time putting it down. In fact, I decided to stay up late to finish the book. I just didn't want to put the last 60 pages off until the next day.
Once again, we have a wonderfully plotted mystery. I was usually only one or two pages ahead of Frank and Sarah as they pieced everything together, and I was surprised once they figured everything out. The characters are strong as always, with both the series regulars and new characters coming across as real. Sarah's mother plays a larger role in what happens here, and I really enjoyed her scenes. There was always something happening, and I had a hard time putting it down. In fact, I decided to stay up late to finish the book. I just didn't want to put the last 60 pages off until the next day.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Wife Between Us in Books
Oct 6, 2018
So disappointing
THE WIFE BETWEEN US is crafted to be clear that whatever you are thinking, expect the opposite. When you think you know who is who, you don’t. This is a suspense about marriage, first wives, fiancées, ex-wives, controlling husbands and a smattering of friends and family.
I’m honestly kind of disappointed having heard a lot of hype for this book. I heard it was twisty and it is, but in a predictable way. There was only one twist I didn’t see coming and that honestly was underwhelming. It’s defintely a book of two halves with a much stronger first half and a fizzled-out second half.
Not one of the characters, including the three main characters were likeable. However, Richard was vile, a sneaky and manipulative kind of vile. He was incredibly well-written but I didn’t feel the female characters were as strongly written.
Clearly there is a lot of love for this book, but it just didn’t work for me. I want less predictable suspense when I chose to read in the genre.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
I’m honestly kind of disappointed having heard a lot of hype for this book. I heard it was twisty and it is, but in a predictable way. There was only one twist I didn’t see coming and that honestly was underwhelming. It’s defintely a book of two halves with a much stronger first half and a fizzled-out second half.
Not one of the characters, including the three main characters were likeable. However, Richard was vile, a sneaky and manipulative kind of vile. He was incredibly well-written but I didn’t feel the female characters were as strongly written.
Clearly there is a lot of love for this book, but it just didn’t work for me. I want less predictable suspense when I chose to read in the genre.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Sam (228 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Oct 19, 2019
Character Development (2 more)
Amazing Fight Scenes
Charming Plot
Teen Rom-Com With A Superhero Twist
Here we seem to have two separate movies mixed into one. On the one hand we have this adorable romantic comedy about two teens that go on a trip with their class overseas. On the other we have our class superhero movie with Spiderman facing off against the villian and coming into his own as a hero. Both of these not only play well but were also well combined to formulate this movie.
I enjoyed the whimsical performance of Spiderman and for once didn't feel as though the humor was overdone with his classmates. Meanwhile, on the heroics side, I adored the organized fight scenes as well as how the shots were set up. Considering this film also takes place after the heavily emotional Endgame I found the balance between the humor and seriousness to also fit well without either being overdone or feeling out of place.
As someone who isn't a huge Spiderman fan I actually found myself enjoying the film and would recommend it for any family movie night.
I enjoyed the whimsical performance of Spiderman and for once didn't feel as though the humor was overdone with his classmates. Meanwhile, on the heroics side, I adored the organized fight scenes as well as how the shots were set up. Considering this film also takes place after the heavily emotional Endgame I found the balance between the humor and seriousness to also fit well without either being overdone or feeling out of place.
As someone who isn't a huge Spiderman fan I actually found myself enjoying the film and would recommend it for any family movie night.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Happy Death Day 2U (2019) in Movies
Dec 19, 2019 (Updated Dec 19, 2019)
Slightly disappointed...
I think it was inevitable that this one would struggle to live up to the surprise success of the first movie. I really wanted to like it, as I did genuinely enjoy the first installment but couldn't help feel slightly disappointed this time around.
For me it felt like the movie lost it's way early on. Where Happy Death Day knew exactly what it was (very much a comedy slasher) This time out we lose the slasher aspect after about 15 minutes for a more scientific take on events, trying to explain what caused the Groundhog Day effect in the first film.
The writing felt lazier this time around, with the multiverse angle being used for the millionth time and some of the dialogue and jokes coming across as cringe worthy and incredibly corny in places.
Overall it's no big surprise that they tried to cash in on the first movie but for me sometimes less is more and on this occasion, I think I'd prefer to remember Happy Death Day as the comedy slasher it was supposed to be in the first place.
For me it felt like the movie lost it's way early on. Where Happy Death Day knew exactly what it was (very much a comedy slasher) This time out we lose the slasher aspect after about 15 minutes for a more scientific take on events, trying to explain what caused the Groundhog Day effect in the first film.
The writing felt lazier this time around, with the multiverse angle being used for the millionth time and some of the dialogue and jokes coming across as cringe worthy and incredibly corny in places.
Overall it's no big surprise that they tried to cash in on the first movie but for me sometimes less is more and on this occasion, I think I'd prefer to remember Happy Death Day as the comedy slasher it was supposed to be in the first place.