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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Sugar Plum Poisoned in Books
Oct 12, 2023
Christmas Concert Caper
Angie Harper is thrilled that her friend, singer Shelby Vaughn, is in town for a couple of weeks doing Christmas concerts, and Mel DeLaura quickly warms up to Shelby as well. The duo are providing cupcakes for the VIP concert goers, so Mel and Angie get a firsthand view of the drama swirling around Shelby. But then Mel finds a dead body backstage after the opening night concert. Can she figure out what is going on?
This is another fun entry in the series. The plot did a good job of setting things up, so when the murder happens, we are off and running. I did find a couple of minor things got dropped and the ending was a bit rushed, but neither is a big deal since things are wrapped up. Plus, we get to spend more time with Mel, Angie, and the gang, which is always a delight. Since the series is set in Arizona, we don't get a traditional cold, snowy Christmas, but we still get a very funny subplot for the holiday. And we get recipes for five Christmas themed, drool worthy cupcakes. Fans new and old will gobble this book down as quickly as they can.
This is another fun entry in the series. The plot did a good job of setting things up, so when the murder happens, we are off and running. I did find a couple of minor things got dropped and the ending was a bit rushed, but neither is a big deal since things are wrapped up. Plus, we get to spend more time with Mel, Angie, and the gang, which is always a delight. Since the series is set in Arizona, we don't get a traditional cold, snowy Christmas, but we still get a very funny subplot for the holiday. And we get recipes for five Christmas themed, drool worthy cupcakes. Fans new and old will gobble this book down as quickly as they can.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated There’s No Murder Like Show Murder in Books
Jun 1, 2025 (Updated Jun 1, 2025)
Local Theater Rocked by Murder
Tasha Weaver is the head of the costume shop at the regional theater in Eastbrook, Connecticut. They’ve been struggling financially, so they are hoping that bringing in a couple of Broadway stars for their latest production will help the theater return to black. But Kurt Mozer, the male lead, is being very difficult. Still, it’s a surprise when someone shots him center stage when the theater is mostly empty. Who would want to kill the star?
Since I love theater, this book caught my attention, and I’m so glad it did. The story is strong with plenty of suspects, motives, and twists to keep me engaged until we reach the logical ending. There were a couple of leaps of logic, but they were minor overall. Tasha is a wonderful lead, and the rest of the cast was entertaining. A few have room to grow, but they work for the amount of page time they get. And the suspects were strong. Plus I enjoyed this look at life behind the scenes in a theater. Well, behind the scenes when a murder is thrown into the mix. This is a strong debut that cozy mystery fans will devour. I’m hopeful that we will get another book from this author soon.
Since I love theater, this book caught my attention, and I’m so glad it did. The story is strong with plenty of suspects, motives, and twists to keep me engaged until we reach the logical ending. There were a couple of leaps of logic, but they were minor overall. Tasha is a wonderful lead, and the rest of the cast was entertaining. A few have room to grow, but they work for the amount of page time they get. And the suspects were strong. Plus I enjoyed this look at life behind the scenes in a theater. Well, behind the scenes when a murder is thrown into the mix. This is a strong debut that cozy mystery fans will devour. I’m hopeful that we will get another book from this author soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated April Fool Dead in Books
Feb 13, 2025
This Killer Isn’t Fooling Around
Annie Darling is looking forward to hosting a book signing for the island’s resident mystery writer, Emma Clyde, on April first. She’s even come up with the perfect promotion for it, leaving fliers all over the island with the clues to identify famous mystery books for a prize at the signing. However, someone has mimicked her fliers, but instead of talking about fictional murder these new fliers are accusing residents of the island of real crimes. Just as Annie thinks her job restoring her name is over, someone dies. Is this murder connected to the fliers?
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
Carmie (2 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in Books
Oct 6, 2017
I was probably one of the last people in my generation to read this book! (just kidding lol) But I think I picked this series up a couple years back and devoured ever book like it was candy! I was super nervous that I wouldn't follow the ideas and characters and I was scared I would hate it and a whole generation would hate me for hating it! But I ended up falling in love with everything about this book! So glad I read it later in life because I think I appreciated the concepts more as an adult.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Frog Prince: The Brothers Grimm Story Told as a Novella in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I read this while waiting for an appointment for my daughter and I must tell you that the people around my probably thought I had lost my mind as I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. I loved how smoothly this retelling went, and the author truly took his time in making this a descriptive read which pulls you into the world of The Frog Prince. Readers of all ages will certainly enjoy this story.
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.}
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.}
Keep the kleenex to hand...
I felt as though my heart had been ripped out of my chest and stamped on repeatedly! This book deserves all of the praise it gets. It's heartbreaking, gentle, tender and so sad (yes, I cried on a couple of occasions, and usually I do try not to do that). The Tin Man is the main character, Ellis. A man who lives on his own, works at a car factory and is a widower. This is a look back into his past and his lost loves. AIDS makes an appearance. Such a tragic story.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) in Movies
Jul 18, 2017
Darth Maul (1 more)
The Pod race
The script (1 more)
Jar jar binks
The weak link
The weakest of all the Star Wars films. Bar a couple of great scenes, the Darth Maul fight against 2 Jedi and the Pod Race, the film is disappointing. Why on earth we needed Jar jar binks character I have no idea. The dialogue is noticeable bad though, as if everything is simplified so kids under 10 could understand it. It's not Liam Neeson's finest performance by any stretch. Thankfully the 2 scenes mentioned do make up a fair bit for the rest of the film.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) in Movies
Jul 26, 2017
Typical Tim Burton movie (1 more)
If you're a fan of the book, this may have too many (unnecessary) changes.
I love Tim Burton but I feel like he's been in too much of a rut with his last couple movies and I think that can be felt in this movie. Additionally, I don't feel the changes that were made to the story actually made the film any better. If you're a big fan of the book like I am and you haven't seen this yet, set your expectations a little lower and maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.
Chelsea (449 KP) rated Neverwhere in Books
Sep 7, 2017
Gaiman wrote this book because he felt adults deserved a story similar to how Alice in Wonderland was written for kids. I love this explanation!
"Dear Diary, he began. On Friday I had a job, a fiancée, a home, and a life that made sense. (Well, as much as any life makes sense.) Then I found an injured girl bleeding on the pavement, and I tried to be a Good Samaritan. Now I’ve got no fiancée, no home, no job, and I’m walking around a couple of hundred feet under the streets of London with the projected life expectancy of a suicidal mayfly."
"Dear Diary, he began. On Friday I had a job, a fiancée, a home, and a life that made sense. (Well, as much as any life makes sense.) Then I found an injured girl bleeding on the pavement, and I tried to be a Good Samaritan. Now I’ve got no fiancée, no home, no job, and I’m walking around a couple of hundred feet under the streets of London with the projected life expectancy of a suicidal mayfly."
HeathHart77 (8 KP) rated Beauty and the Beast (2017) in Movies
Aug 11, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was true to the animated classic that we all know and love!! There was a couple of added scenes and some things were altered for the sake of the live action shoot. My favorite added scene was the trip to where Belle was born, it added so much more to the story and the characters connection with each other. I also loved the development of the character Belle, the way we get more depth and background with her versus what we got in the original animated movie story. All in all I have to say was very impressed with the movie!!!