Search
Search results
Lowri Catryn (229 KP) rated Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime in Books
Jan 4, 2020
Psychology (5 more)
Crime
Patterns
Clear chapters
Educational
Photos
Extremely interesting
Took this book on holiday with me and could not put it down! Managed to read it very quickly. So interesting to learn about forensics and pathology! Behind the scenes of crimes that ordinary people would not realise. Read about interesting cases as the forensic/pathology/psychological/detective work that goes into solving such crimes. Fascinating! Clear chapters also. Including some pictures!
Rache (174 KP) rated The Angel of Vine in Podcasts
Jan 12, 2019
Brilliant storyline (4 more)
True Crime inspired
Amazing cast
Glorious suspense
Truly Wonderful writing
Fantastic Fiction
As a fan of true crime podcasts, I have very few fiction podcasts in my favourites (mostly things like King Falls AM, for the wackiness) and I tend to avoid crime fiction, primarily because the real thing is better, crazier, and so much more twisted.
The Angel of Vine is a sublime fictional podcast, written to sound like true crime in the Noir tradition being retold in the modern podcast format. The podcast begins with the discovery of some old cassette tapes by the family of a deceased ex-cop turned private detective, and their choice to involve a podcaster/reporter to help them investigate the story enshrined in those cassettes.
Following the investigation into the murder of a young actress in Hollywood, the podcaster makes use of the recordings to tell Harry's story.
Voiced by some amazing talent (including the gorgeous growl of Joe Manganiello, the incomparable Alan Tudzyk, and the delightful Mischa Collins) the story is gripping, compelling, and extremely difficult to not binge.
For fans of true crime, crime drama, and any sort of Noir (Sam Spade eat your heart out), this is a podcast to listen to, save, and listen to again later.
The Angel of Vine is a sublime fictional podcast, written to sound like true crime in the Noir tradition being retold in the modern podcast format. The podcast begins with the discovery of some old cassette tapes by the family of a deceased ex-cop turned private detective, and their choice to involve a podcaster/reporter to help them investigate the story enshrined in those cassettes.
Following the investigation into the murder of a young actress in Hollywood, the podcaster makes use of the recordings to tell Harry's story.
Voiced by some amazing talent (including the gorgeous growl of Joe Manganiello, the incomparable Alan Tudzyk, and the delightful Mischa Collins) the story is gripping, compelling, and extremely difficult to not binge.
For fans of true crime, crime drama, and any sort of Noir (Sam Spade eat your heart out), this is a podcast to listen to, save, and listen to again later.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2086 KP) rated Double Dealer (Bert & Nan Tatum, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After some public fights with an antique dealer, Nan and Bert both find themselves questioned by the police when he is killed. But when Bert's daughter is arrested for the crime, the twins must once again track down a killer. More fun moments and more great twists with this duo detective act.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-double-dealer-by-barbara.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-double-dealer-by-barbara.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Ross (3282 KP) rated Perfect Remains: A Gripping Thriller That Will Leave You Breathless in Books
Aug 30, 2018 (Updated Aug 30, 2018)
Very good, gripping crime novel based in Edinburgh. Recently arrived French detective Luc Callanach finds himself at the wheel of the force's biggest crime, while still trying to find his feet in his new city.
As the reader is made aware of the "murderer"'s identity from very early on, this feels more like an early Mark Billingham book than an Ian Rankin or Ed James. Not a true whodunit, more of a case of watching the story unfold, which is thrilling and you get to see the criminal and the detective's view of the events, but may put others off.
While the story is very well crafted, the pacing is top notch and the action exciting, a few aspects irritated me at times. Luc Callanach seems to have coped very well with his change in circumstances, and at times it is almost like he (or the author) has forgotten he is French completely! And also the attitude and conclusions of what was supposed to be a very experienced psychological profiler just didn't feel plausible. And finally, as so often happens with "detective x crime series" books - if the main character didn't see it, it didn't happen. This means that Callanach has to abandon his massive case and oddly decide to go off with another detective in order to discuss something, purely as a plot device - i.e. he has to be involved in it for it to be an important part of the story. In places this worked, and got to the point, but at other times his actions just seemed so unusual as to be ludicrous, just to meet a plot point. Why the lesser characters can't have a PoV chapter is beyond me. It works perfectly well in fantasy fiction, why not in crime?!
However these were minor quibbles, an otherwise great book.
As the reader is made aware of the "murderer"'s identity from very early on, this feels more like an early Mark Billingham book than an Ian Rankin or Ed James. Not a true whodunit, more of a case of watching the story unfold, which is thrilling and you get to see the criminal and the detective's view of the events, but may put others off.
While the story is very well crafted, the pacing is top notch and the action exciting, a few aspects irritated me at times. Luc Callanach seems to have coped very well with his change in circumstances, and at times it is almost like he (or the author) has forgotten he is French completely! And also the attitude and conclusions of what was supposed to be a very experienced psychological profiler just didn't feel plausible. And finally, as so often happens with "detective x crime series" books - if the main character didn't see it, it didn't happen. This means that Callanach has to abandon his massive case and oddly decide to go off with another detective in order to discuss something, purely as a plot device - i.e. he has to be involved in it for it to be an important part of the story. In places this worked, and got to the point, but at other times his actions just seemed so unusual as to be ludicrous, just to meet a plot point. Why the lesser characters can't have a PoV chapter is beyond me. It works perfectly well in fantasy fiction, why not in crime?!
However these were minor quibbles, an otherwise great book.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Old Friends and New Enemies (Charlie Cameron #2) in Books
Nov 21, 2019
Glasgow private detective Charlie Cameron finds himself out of his depth when he finds out that an old friend has been killed. Getting on the wrong side of an organised crime family would be bad enough but just when he needs hits wits about him the personal nature of the case clouds his judgement. And things aren't made easier by a police detective with a grudge who thinks he is guilty.
This is a terrifically gritty crime novel. Glasgow is a good setting for this kind of work and Mullen does a great job of describing the city and the surroundings. Cameron is a very likeable character and seems very believable. The rest of the cast are just as well defined, from Cameron's slightly dodgy friend to the Rafferty family who are nasty but with a solid basis on why they are.
As the plot unfolds the reader knows more than Cameron which makes some of his mis-steps in dealing with the case agonising to read when he puts himself in more danger when he is trying to extricate himself. The ending ties everything up neatly but don't expect a fairy tale ending.
Overall this is a terrific crime novel and if the other Cameron books are anything like this then it will be a series to get hold of.
This is a terrifically gritty crime novel. Glasgow is a good setting for this kind of work and Mullen does a great job of describing the city and the surroundings. Cameron is a very likeable character and seems very believable. The rest of the cast are just as well defined, from Cameron's slightly dodgy friend to the Rafferty family who are nasty but with a solid basis on why they are.
As the plot unfolds the reader knows more than Cameron which makes some of his mis-steps in dealing with the case agonising to read when he puts himself in more danger when he is trying to extricate himself. The ending ties everything up neatly but don't expect a fairy tale ending.
Overall this is a terrific crime novel and if the other Cameron books are anything like this then it will be a series to get hold of.
David McK (3219 KP) rated Reaping Wind: A Montague and Strong Detective Novel in Books
Oct 7, 2019
Book number 9 (already) in the Montague and Strong series, that sees the titular immortal detective Simon Strong and his Mage partner-in-crime Tristran Montague (and Peaches the hellhound) travelling to Japan to track down the leader of New York's Dark Council (and Simon's on-again off-again) vampire girlfriend Michiko, while she is also being stalked (is that the right word?) by a fanatical group of vampire hunters the Blood Hunters.
And, for once, they manage to leave the surroundings (mostly) intact!
And, for once, they manage to leave the surroundings (mostly) intact!
Charlotte (184 KP) rated An Eye for a Lie (Inspector Richter #1) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
A strong start to a crime series!
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
Lenard (726 KP) rated The Kid Detective (2020) in Movies
Mar 2, 2021
Did you ever wonder what happened to Encyclopedia Brown after puberty? This film tries to explain one path his life could have taken. Abe Applebaum still runs a detective agency out of an office set up for him when his treehouse office was vandalized. His life fell apart when his friend and secretary went missing, and the town did not use his skills to solve the crime. He turned to drugs and alcohol and has no concept of time. His parents still bankroll his detecting career, but are about to cut him off. Now, a teenage girl wants to hire him to solve the murder of his boyfriend even though he has never worked an actual crime before. Can Abe return to the top of his game after years of sleazy private investigating private lives?
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Snowman (2017) in Movies
Jan 17, 2018
Want to build a snowman It doesn't have to be in one piece
The story of a serial killer in Norway who leaves a snowman outside the house of it's victims. The detective who gets in charge and becomes obsessed with this new case as it refers to other cold cases. The other officer who is on the case has her own reasoning on who is committing this crime but, has a obsession for wrong reason.
Not a bad movie but, figured out who it was pretty fast from certain clues. No a rewatchable movie
Not a bad movie but, figured out who it was pretty fast from certain clues. No a rewatchable movie
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Hazardous Duty ( Squeaky Clean Mysteries book 1) in Books
Oct 30, 2022
200 of 230
Kindle
Hazardous Duty ( Squeaky Clean Mysteries book 1)
By Christy Barrit
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire dropped out of school and started her own crime scene cleaning business. Now, when a routine cleaning job leads her to a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong man is in jail. With the help of her neighbor, Gabby plays detective to make sure the right man is put behind bars. Guaranteed fiction!
This was a fun read. A good Nancy drew type of character with a quirky job as a crime scene cleaner. I found it an interesting read a book that didn’t take itself to seriously. I’m pretty sure I changed suspect 3 or 4 times and still didn’t get it in the end 😂!
Kindle
Hazardous Duty ( Squeaky Clean Mysteries book 1)
By Christy Barrit
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire dropped out of school and started her own crime scene cleaning business. Now, when a routine cleaning job leads her to a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong man is in jail. With the help of her neighbor, Gabby plays detective to make sure the right man is put behind bars. Guaranteed fiction!
This was a fun read. A good Nancy drew type of character with a quirky job as a crime scene cleaner. I found it an interesting read a book that didn’t take itself to seriously. I’m pretty sure I changed suspect 3 or 4 times and still didn’t get it in the end 😂!