Emily, Gone
8.5
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A missing child sets the lives of three women on a collision course in this powerful and compelling...
fiction adult mystery southern fiction
In a Kingdom by the Sea
7.0
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Sweeping from Cornwall to Karachi, this is a compelling and heartwrenching tale of love, secrets and...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated In The Dark in Books
Jan 15, 2023
Seven years ago, Nora walked into the woods with her daughter Daisy but walked out of them alone. She has no recollection of what happened and there has been no sign of her since. Did Nora murder her little girl or was she taken for a fate worse than death? Theories abound but nothing can be proven.
Izzy is making a documentary about Daisy's disappearance and whilst Nora has agreed to be a part of that process, she is understandably worried about the repercussions ... she continues to be plagued by people who believe she killed her daughter and the documentary is only going to inflame this but she is desperate to remember but at what cost to her, her new marriage and Luca, Nora's second child.
The more Izzy delves into the past and snippets of memories come back to Nora, the more intriguing the story becomes.
Full of tension, twists and turns and with great characters, this is a book that had me reading on into the night desperate to find out what happened to Daisy and I wasn't disappointed.
My thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of In The Dark.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Surviving the Holocaust and Stalin: The Amazing Story of the Seiler Family in Books
Jan 29, 2023
No matter how many of these types of books I read, it never ceases to shock me how 'human beings' can develop an insidious culture against others just because they are different be it religion, race or whatever. What I didn't realise was how, even after the Russians liberated the death and labour camps created by the Nazi regime, the persecution of Jews continued for those living behind the 'Iron Curtain'.
This book has opened my eyes to the continued injustice and oppression that was inflicted upon the Jewish people by the Stalin regime despite the horrors they had been subjected to by the Nazis but what it also did was show the resilience, bravery and hope the Seiler family demonstrated despite the tragedies and hardships they encountered and experienced.
This is a must-read for people who are interested in European history and to ensure that the voices of those who went through one of the darkest periods of the twentieth century are not forgotten and I must thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.
Waking Up Lost (Adirondack Spirit Series #4)
8.0
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Traveling without warning. Nights lost to supernatural journeys. Is one young man fated to wander...
Historical Fiction Fantasy
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Resistance Girl in Books
Mar 27, 2022
Following the lives of a small group of people in Norway during WWII, this is a compelling story of their bravery as part of the resistance movement.
With exceptionally strong characters and a powerful story, this is an important part of history that I was not familiar with and although this is historical fiction, it does weave actual events into the story which gives it a sense of realism and shows you what lengths 'normal' people will go to to protect freedom and whilst they have a strong regard for the danger they are putting themselves and, potentially, others in, the bigger picture is far more important. A poignant read given the current events in Ukraine.
The narrator told the story with ease and kept me engaged and enthralled from beginning to end; her voice was perfect.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story of bravery, love and the importance of family, friends and freedom.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Northman (2022) in Movies
May 11, 2022
The first third is a fast moving setup that effectively establishes the characters and shows off quite an epic production. After that, The Northman becomes a tight and slow burning thriller as Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) exacts a psychologically torturous revenge on the people who killer his father. It's a perfect marriage of powerful character drama, weird imagery, Viking culture and beliefs, bizarre gore, and fantasy set pieces, and it's slower pace ensures that it's utterly captivating.
The whole film looks incredible from start to finish and is complimented by a wonderful music score.
It's all cemented by a stacked cast. Skarsgård is a capable lead for sure, and is just a big walking muscle in this, the manly bastard. Anya Taylor-Joy is great as always, and the supporting cast boasts the likes of Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, and Claes Bang who are all stellar.
I can't heap enough praise on The Northman, another homerun from Eggers. I'd happily call it a masterpiece.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated A Sprinkle in Time in Books
May 28, 2022 (Updated May 28, 2022)
I enjoyed the first in the series, but this one was even better. I was pulled in right away, and the plot never lagged. Because of how it impacted some of the characters we got to know in the first book, I found it compelling. I had part of the solution figured out, but there was a lot I hadn’t pieced together. The characters are strong again. I laughed at parts, but because of how things were impacting everyone, I also got chocked up a time or two. There are two recipes at the end to help with your cravings for ice cream and sweets in general. I’m already looking forward to visiting the gang again soon.
A Fall of Light
8.0
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LJ Greene brings to life one of her most compelling characters: the intensely creative bass...
Contemporary MM Romance
Double Blind
8.0
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Double Blind follows three close friends and their circle through a year of extraordinary...