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Ross (3284 KP) rated Perfect Silence in Books
Oct 9, 2018 (Updated Oct 9, 2018)
Gripping and thrilling detective story
*** Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This, the fourth DI Luc Callanach book, follows a familiar pattern - two crimes committed early on and parallel investigations into those cause conflict and tension, one being a more typical serial killer hunt, the other a more politically charged investigation.
Over the previous books it feels like Fields has grown bored of her French detective and has put a lot more focus into DCI Ava Turner. This is in no way a bad thing as she feels more real and likeable (less clichéd), but an odd progression for "The DI Callanach" series to have.
The action and cases in this book are quite compelling - young women being kidnapped and their mutilated bodies dumped a week later and a gruesome memento left in the locale of the next victim, with religious overtones; and a spate of drugged homeless people being branded in public places. As usual the killer leaves virtually no trace behind and it is quite some time before the detectives have any idea of who they are looking for.
I still have a few issues with the dialogue in these books, but the plot was solid here, with twists and turns along the way, with a very gripping, proper unputdownable final few chapters.
This, the fourth DI Luc Callanach book, follows a familiar pattern - two crimes committed early on and parallel investigations into those cause conflict and tension, one being a more typical serial killer hunt, the other a more politically charged investigation.
Over the previous books it feels like Fields has grown bored of her French detective and has put a lot more focus into DCI Ava Turner. This is in no way a bad thing as she feels more real and likeable (less clichéd), but an odd progression for "The DI Callanach" series to have.
The action and cases in this book are quite compelling - young women being kidnapped and their mutilated bodies dumped a week later and a gruesome memento left in the locale of the next victim, with religious overtones; and a spate of drugged homeless people being branded in public places. As usual the killer leaves virtually no trace behind and it is quite some time before the detectives have any idea of who they are looking for.
I still have a few issues with the dialogue in these books, but the plot was solid here, with twists and turns along the way, with a very gripping, proper unputdownable final few chapters.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in TV
Nov 8, 2018
Beautifully and cleverly written (3 more)
Amazing cast
Amazing acting
Some good twists
A beautiful well-crafted story
This was a fantastic season. Before watching I was hearing insane hype about this show and it did get me worried. There have been many shows and movies in the past that to me were well overhyped before I watched and did not deliver. Finally the hype is real. This is by far my favourite show of the year.
It is creepy throughout the entire season while having so much emotion and believability with this family that have been through many traumatic experiences and you can see the damage and scarring within each character thanks to their incredible performance. The beautiful writing, the believable acting and eery score all add to a compelling and gripping story all the way to the end.
There are so many twists throughout the entire thing which I did not see coming. By the end, the whole thing felt like a puzzle. Everything connected in a way I never expected. What you thought were completely different things would be connected like puzzle pieces and it made the whole thing work and leave you admiring this beautiful piece of art.
I think it's obvious I can't recommend this enough. I'd love to see more from this. Maybe even make this an anthology series with a new cast and era.
It is creepy throughout the entire season while having so much emotion and believability with this family that have been through many traumatic experiences and you can see the damage and scarring within each character thanks to their incredible performance. The beautiful writing, the believable acting and eery score all add to a compelling and gripping story all the way to the end.
There are so many twists throughout the entire thing which I did not see coming. By the end, the whole thing felt like a puzzle. Everything connected in a way I never expected. What you thought were completely different things would be connected like puzzle pieces and it made the whole thing work and leave you admiring this beautiful piece of art.
I think it's obvious I can't recommend this enough. I'd love to see more from this. Maybe even make this an anthology series with a new cast and era.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Reason to Doubt in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Plenty of Reasons to Read This Book
Radio reporter Carol Childs's daughter, Cate, is home for the summer, and she's brought a boyfriend with her. Pete makes his living as a photographer, and the police begin to suspect him of being the Model Slayer, a serial killer who has been claiming victims in the Los Angeles area for the past several months. Cate insists that Pete is innocent, and Carol doesn't find him a compelling suspect either, but then a phone call at the station sheds new light on the case. Is Pete innocent? Can Carol figure out who the killer really is?
The premise of this entry in the series intrigued me, and it didn't disappoint at all. This case becomes very personal for Carol for a couple of reasons, and that helped drive the plot. We got plenty of twists before reaching a page turning climax. The plot also brings out a different side of Carol, which I enjoyed seeing. The characters are all strong, and I loved seeing how Carol's love life progressed. The series straddles the line between cozy and traditional, and the subject matter here makes this book no exception. Just know that going in, and you'll be fine. Once you start, you'll definitely be hooked and turning pages as quickly as you can.
The premise of this entry in the series intrigued me, and it didn't disappoint at all. This case becomes very personal for Carol for a couple of reasons, and that helped drive the plot. We got plenty of twists before reaching a page turning climax. The plot also brings out a different side of Carol, which I enjoyed seeing. The characters are all strong, and I loved seeing how Carol's love life progressed. The series straddles the line between cozy and traditional, and the subject matter here makes this book no exception. Just know that going in, and you'll be fine. Once you start, you'll definitely be hooked and turning pages as quickly as you can.
Often cited as one of the most influential comic-books/graphic novels, alongside the likes of [b:V for Vendetta|5805|V for Vendetta|Alan Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1343668985s/5805.jpg|392838]'V for Vendetta' and [b:Batman: The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns (The Dark Knight Saga, #1)|Frank Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159]'The Dark Knight Returns', this was, if I'm honest, one such that I'd never even heard of until the 2009 movie of the same name.
Set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superhero's are (were) real but have since been outlawed, there's a definite argument to be made that this would inspire the Pixar film The Incredibles: family drama, costumed superheroes coming out of retirement, conspiracies afoot ... see what I mean?
But whereas The Incredibles is aimed at a family audience, this is anything but: violent throughout, slow (at times seemingly glacial) moving and even dealing with the effects of (and fallout from) rape, this is definitely not one for the younger reader!
On the plus side, it does have a stunningly realised world alongside a compelling backstory to several of the characters: like several other literary classics, this is one that I can now say that I've read but wouldn't really be rushing back to do so again anytime soon.
Set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superhero's are (were) real but have since been outlawed, there's a definite argument to be made that this would inspire the Pixar film The Incredibles: family drama, costumed superheroes coming out of retirement, conspiracies afoot ... see what I mean?
But whereas The Incredibles is aimed at a family audience, this is anything but: violent throughout, slow (at times seemingly glacial) moving and even dealing with the effects of (and fallout from) rape, this is definitely not one for the younger reader!
On the plus side, it does have a stunningly realised world alongside a compelling backstory to several of the characters: like several other literary classics, this is one that I can now say that I've read but wouldn't really be rushing back to do so again anytime soon.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Rocketman (2019) in Movies
Jul 6, 2019
Good, but a little rushed.
Not really sure where I sit with this one. A gripping tale of one of music's biggest icons. While Egerton shines as the glorious John, all the surrounding characters seemed to be simple generic caricatures of staples from this kind of stories. And the story blazes by, many of the acts with little explanation of motives. It follows the basic by the numbers of the musical biopic, never really seeming to let the weight of one single action hit with the viewer before moving onto the next tragic act. While the characters and story seemed to ring a bit formulaic and hollow, Egerton's performance is able to carry the gravitas. And the music, oh the music. John's catalog is beautifully strewn throughout the film in all its glory, though Taron's vocals struggle in parts and he is outsung by his supporting cast at points. And in the end, the conclusion and resolution come, yet once again seemingly easily and out of nowhere as had the conflict earlier in the film. A great story of a great artist that just seemed to miss on a few points for me. Did I enjoy the movie? Yes. It just seemed like a cliff notes version of what could have been a deeper and more compelling story.
Merissa (12861 KP) rated Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch (Roosevelt Ranch #1) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch is the first book in the Roosevelt Ranch series, and tells the story of Kelly, a young woman from the town, and Justin, the ex-Forces Doctor who comes in to clear up his brother's mess. However, he soon realises that it is different from the usual messes, as he gets to know Kelly, and finds out she is pregnant.
You can see that this is a disaster just waiting to happen, but it is still compelling reading as you wait for the whole thing to erupt. Kelly and Justin are wonderful main characters, but there is a whole slew of other characters that are guaranteed to delight - including one 86-year-old lady who wears a cat sweater ;)
Whilst Elise Faber's Phoenix series (Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance) is still my favourite so far, I will definitely be reading more of her contemporary work - which is saying something for me!
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book is full of drama and emotion, but nothing too bad. I would certainly recommend this brilliant book to wrap up warm with!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
You can see that this is a disaster just waiting to happen, but it is still compelling reading as you wait for the whole thing to erupt. Kelly and Justin are wonderful main characters, but there is a whole slew of other characters that are guaranteed to delight - including one 86-year-old lady who wears a cat sweater ;)
Whilst Elise Faber's Phoenix series (Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance) is still my favourite so far, I will definitely be reading more of her contemporary work - which is saying something for me!
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book is full of drama and emotion, but nothing too bad. I would certainly recommend this brilliant book to wrap up warm with!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Doesn't tax the brain too much
This book is a pretty successful debut and follows the struggles for both Allison, who miraculously survived a plane crash, and her mum Maggie, who, along with everyone else, thinks she didn't. Told from both the perspectives of Allison and Maggie, covering the past and the present, the story is not only of survival but one of the sometimes difficult relationship between a mother and her daughter.
Written at good pace, I raced through this book helped by short chapters. I admit it wasn't the most unpredictable of endings however, the drip-drip of suspense and gradual revealing of secrets makes this a compelling read.
The two main characters of Allison and Maggie are very well developed with Maggie being a particular favourite of mine. The story captures both of their strengths and weaknesses extremely well together with their determination and resilience.
There are a few flaws with the plot that have been mentioned in other reviews but although these were a little annoying, they didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of this book.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who enjoy an easy and quick mystery that doesn't tax the brain too much.
Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Written at good pace, I raced through this book helped by short chapters. I admit it wasn't the most unpredictable of endings however, the drip-drip of suspense and gradual revealing of secrets makes this a compelling read.
The two main characters of Allison and Maggie are very well developed with Maggie being a particular favourite of mine. The story captures both of their strengths and weaknesses extremely well together with their determination and resilience.
There are a few flaws with the plot that have been mentioned in other reviews but although these were a little annoying, they didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of this book.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who enjoy an easy and quick mystery that doesn't tax the brain too much.
Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
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