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The Detective 2 (2011)
Movie
Bumbling private detective Chan Tam (Aaron Kwok) is enlisted by police pal Fung Chak (Liu Kai Chi)...
The Watcher (2000)
7.0
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Movie
David Allen Griffin is a cool killer- time and time again, he chooses a female victim, studies her...
Anatomy of a Scandal
7.8
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Book
You want to believe your husband. She wants to destroy him. Gripping psychological drama for fans...
Thriller
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Season 2
8.0
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TV Season
The murder of a Police Chief leads Willows and Brown to Miami ("Cross Jurisdictions"), in the second...
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Entwined in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Let me begin by saying that this is not at all the type of book that I am usually found curled up with. I am more of a mystery, crime, drama person & shy away from fairy tales. I am glad that I gave this one a shot though.
This is a retelling of "12 Dancing Princesses." It tells the tale of 12 sisters who also happen to be princesses. At the beginning of the book, their mother, the queen, is gravely ill. She passes away during the annual Christmas Eve ball plunging the castle into mourning. Azalea, the eldest sister, is left in charge of her siblings as the King heads off to war. The castle's drapes are drawn, the dresses are dyed black, but worst of all for the sisters, they are not allowed to dance. That is what causes all the drama.
The story did drag in places, but the last 100 pages or so left me holding my breath. I wish there were a way to give this book 3.5 stars because that is truly what I would rate it. It is not quite a 4 just because the middle section of the book seemed to roll on with only a few points that captured my attention. But, that being said, I really did enjoy reading this book! I think it just might convince me to give a few more novels along this vein a shot too. That is always a good thing!
This is a retelling of "12 Dancing Princesses." It tells the tale of 12 sisters who also happen to be princesses. At the beginning of the book, their mother, the queen, is gravely ill. She passes away during the annual Christmas Eve ball plunging the castle into mourning. Azalea, the eldest sister, is left in charge of her siblings as the King heads off to war. The castle's drapes are drawn, the dresses are dyed black, but worst of all for the sisters, they are not allowed to dance. That is what causes all the drama.
The story did drag in places, but the last 100 pages or so left me holding my breath. I wish there were a way to give this book 3.5 stars because that is truly what I would rate it. It is not quite a 4 just because the middle section of the book seemed to roll on with only a few points that captured my attention. But, that being said, I really did enjoy reading this book! I think it just might convince me to give a few more novels along this vein a shot too. That is always a good thing!
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death in Books
Jul 27, 2017
A unique series of crime
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads
In 2014, ITV broadcasted the first episode of Grantchester, a drama series based on books by British novelist, James Runcie. Although written during the twenty-first century, the story is set in the 1950s in a village on the outskirts of Cambridge. Sidney Chambers, a young Canon in charge of the Church of St Andrew and Mary, is a polite and friendly character who, despite his reluctance, ends up acting as a detective in a variety of crimes.
Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is the first book of six in The Grantchester Mysteries. Split into six individual baffling cases, the background story of Sidney’s private life continues to develop throughout. Each crime is committed and swiftly solved by the Canon and his friend, Inspector Geordie Keating, although it is Sidney who ultimately resolves the case.
Murder, jewellery theft and art forgery and just some of the felonies Sidney grudgingly gets involved with. In fact, unresolved crimes tend to land in his lap rather than offering his assistance willingly. Up at dawn to work on sermons before rushing off to capture criminals, Sidney is never off duty.
A vicar may seem like an unlikely candidate for a detective, however, people tend to open up to him and unintentionally reveal delitescent information. Listening to suspects and witnesses without pre-judgement allows Sidney to think things through carefully rather than jumping to conclusions. From the moment the crime is committed right up until the story’s denouement, Sidney passionately does everything he can to make sure the correct culprit is discovered.
What makes this series different from other crime novels is the focus on Sidney Chambers’ own life. James Runcie emphasises the loneliness of a bachelor living in a vicarage with only a curate and crotchety housekeeper for company. Readers are drawn into Sidney’s stories and hold onto the hope that his dalliances with the beautiful Amanda turn out to be something more concrete.
Those who have watched the ITV series will be familiar with the stories in this book because the producer has stuck to the exact storyline, not missing a single thing out or adding anything extra. The fact that there were only two years between publishing and screen production goes to show how well written and thought out these stories are. Unlike famous detective novels such as Sherlock Holmes or those by Agatha Christie, The Grantchester Mysteries are not set at the time of writing, so, although they are historically accurate, the prose is suitable for present day readers.
Each story is quick to read and is easy going, making it a relaxing and enjoyable book. It is not a thriller or horror, although some of the crimes are quite terrible. Instead, it is entertaining and often humorous. It is suitable for crime fiction fans as well as those new to the genre.
Regardless of whether you have watched the television series or not, Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is a delight to read. Of course, ITV has given away all the endings, but it is a different experience to read it in print rather than seeing it acted out on screen. Featuring the face of James Norton on the cover so as to work as a TV tie-in, the series will be easy to spot in prime position on bookshelves both in shops and personal collections.
In 2014, ITV broadcasted the first episode of Grantchester, a drama series based on books by British novelist, James Runcie. Although written during the twenty-first century, the story is set in the 1950s in a village on the outskirts of Cambridge. Sidney Chambers, a young Canon in charge of the Church of St Andrew and Mary, is a polite and friendly character who, despite his reluctance, ends up acting as a detective in a variety of crimes.
Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is the first book of six in The Grantchester Mysteries. Split into six individual baffling cases, the background story of Sidney’s private life continues to develop throughout. Each crime is committed and swiftly solved by the Canon and his friend, Inspector Geordie Keating, although it is Sidney who ultimately resolves the case.
Murder, jewellery theft and art forgery and just some of the felonies Sidney grudgingly gets involved with. In fact, unresolved crimes tend to land in his lap rather than offering his assistance willingly. Up at dawn to work on sermons before rushing off to capture criminals, Sidney is never off duty.
A vicar may seem like an unlikely candidate for a detective, however, people tend to open up to him and unintentionally reveal delitescent information. Listening to suspects and witnesses without pre-judgement allows Sidney to think things through carefully rather than jumping to conclusions. From the moment the crime is committed right up until the story’s denouement, Sidney passionately does everything he can to make sure the correct culprit is discovered.
What makes this series different from other crime novels is the focus on Sidney Chambers’ own life. James Runcie emphasises the loneliness of a bachelor living in a vicarage with only a curate and crotchety housekeeper for company. Readers are drawn into Sidney’s stories and hold onto the hope that his dalliances with the beautiful Amanda turn out to be something more concrete.
Those who have watched the ITV series will be familiar with the stories in this book because the producer has stuck to the exact storyline, not missing a single thing out or adding anything extra. The fact that there were only two years between publishing and screen production goes to show how well written and thought out these stories are. Unlike famous detective novels such as Sherlock Holmes or those by Agatha Christie, The Grantchester Mysteries are not set at the time of writing, so, although they are historically accurate, the prose is suitable for present day readers.
Each story is quick to read and is easy going, making it a relaxing and enjoyable book. It is not a thriller or horror, although some of the crimes are quite terrible. Instead, it is entertaining and often humorous. It is suitable for crime fiction fans as well as those new to the genre.
Regardless of whether you have watched the television series or not, Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death is a delight to read. Of course, ITV has given away all the endings, but it is a different experience to read it in print rather than seeing it acted out on screen. Featuring the face of James Norton on the cover so as to work as a TV tie-in, the series will be easy to spot in prime position on bookshelves both in shops and personal collections.
The Hot One: A Memoir of Friendship, Sex, and Murder
7.0
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Book
Recommended by NPR, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, New York magazine, New York Post, and...
Biography true crime
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
Book
The stunning story of an Alabama serial killer and the true-crime book that Harper Lee worked on...
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Death in Profile in Books
Mar 15, 2018
(I've changed this down to 3 stars from 4 stars cause think back, it wasn't actually that good, I just think I was really happy to find a Netgalley book that didn't bore me to death)
Firstly I'd like to thank Netgalley and Urbane Publications for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Death in Profile is an excellent twist on modern crime drama novels. It's refreshing to find all the characters have a clear head with no underlying disturbances like we see with many other detective characters. While the plot for this novel is nothing too bold or different from other books out there, it still manages to feel unique.
I like how Sampson doesn't focus on simply one person throughout the book, but instead lets you in to each persons life in little snippets making you want to keep reading and find out more and more about each person. While Metcalfe and Willis are interesting as separate people I found their relationship juvenile, in all honesty. The way they went about each other was really rather unimaginable.
For me, the characters made this book fun and exciting because I didn't feel the plot was anything too incredibly amazing and I found the 'shock twist' a little... disappointing. I would have preferred the story to continue in the direction it was already heading by that point rather than the real outcome. I also found the last few pages of the book a bit pointless and it confused me slightly as to why it was included, I think it completely took away from the amazement you were supposed to feel about the outcome of the investigation into the serial killings.
Other than that and a few spelling mistakes here and there (which I couldn't keep note of due to there being no page numbers on the kindle), I actually did very much like this book and was reaching for it of a night time as well as during my travelling hours. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a crime drama without the troubled cop or gritty suspense. Definitely a fun and quick read.
Firstly I'd like to thank Netgalley and Urbane Publications for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Death in Profile is an excellent twist on modern crime drama novels. It's refreshing to find all the characters have a clear head with no underlying disturbances like we see with many other detective characters. While the plot for this novel is nothing too bold or different from other books out there, it still manages to feel unique.
I like how Sampson doesn't focus on simply one person throughout the book, but instead lets you in to each persons life in little snippets making you want to keep reading and find out more and more about each person. While Metcalfe and Willis are interesting as separate people I found their relationship juvenile, in all honesty. The way they went about each other was really rather unimaginable.
For me, the characters made this book fun and exciting because I didn't feel the plot was anything too incredibly amazing and I found the 'shock twist' a little... disappointing. I would have preferred the story to continue in the direction it was already heading by that point rather than the real outcome. I also found the last few pages of the book a bit pointless and it confused me slightly as to why it was included, I think it completely took away from the amazement you were supposed to feel about the outcome of the investigation into the serial killings.
Other than that and a few spelling mistakes here and there (which I couldn't keep note of due to there being no page numbers on the kindle), I actually did very much like this book and was reaching for it of a night time as well as during my travelling hours. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a crime drama without the troubled cop or gritty suspense. Definitely a fun and quick read.
Good concept (1 more)
Some interesting imagery/analogies
Lack of character development (2 more)
Slow build up with a sudden ending that feels rushed
Attempts to make socio-political commentary with disjointed (and again rushed) narrative
Underwhelming drama/mystery with the backdrop of a cult
It took me a while to get into the book itself, it wasn't a page turner and was very easy to get distracted. About a third to a midway through, it started to pick up pace and I became embroiled in the narrative of a young girl's induction into a full-blown cult, the crime they commit and her reflection on this as an adult. This momentum carried nicely for a while, until nearing the end where the narrative and characters suddenly seemed to become disjointed and it appears the author suddenly decided to turn fractions of what has previously been mentioned into an overall statement which I found to be a little ridiculous. The concept was seriously intriguing (the experience of drifting in and out of cult life) so it's a shame it wasn't followed through with confidence.