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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders in Books
Jan 3, 2018
Gripping, detailed and intense
The infamous Manson family murders have been heard around the world for decades, so when you thought everything that can be said, had been said, this book comes along. Granted it was written on the 25th anniversary of the murders, so many of characters have since diminished, but it gives an intriguing insight into the mind of the killers, by the prosecutor who convicted them. I have yet to read this level of detail into the case.
Vincent Bugliosi is methodical in his descriptions leading up to the end of the trial, relaying information as if solving a puzzle. And in many ways the Manson riddle is truly a mystery. Why would such a crime receive so much notoriety when mass murders have claimed far greater lives? Bugliosi discusses his own argument in the case in great detail, the fact that Manson had only to influence others around him to carry out the act that he himself did not commit. Does this make him equally culpable? In Bugliosi's mind - absolutely.
At the end, we hear his own assertions, Manson's links to other cult phenomena such as Satanism, Latter Day Saints, and even Scientology, in which Manson was said to be greatly influenced by. Riveting read for those who don't want the sensationalism and just the straight facts.
Vincent Bugliosi is methodical in his descriptions leading up to the end of the trial, relaying information as if solving a puzzle. And in many ways the Manson riddle is truly a mystery. Why would such a crime receive so much notoriety when mass murders have claimed far greater lives? Bugliosi discusses his own argument in the case in great detail, the fact that Manson had only to influence others around him to carry out the act that he himself did not commit. Does this make him equally culpable? In Bugliosi's mind - absolutely.
At the end, we hear his own assertions, Manson's links to other cult phenomena such as Satanism, Latter Day Saints, and even Scientology, in which Manson was said to be greatly influenced by. Riveting read for those who don't want the sensationalism and just the straight facts.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Crime and Poetry (Magical Bookshop, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Violet Waverly arrives in Cascade Springs, New York, she finds that her grandmother isn’t sick like she’d been told. Instead, her grandmother needs to tell her some family secrets involving the old bookstore that she runs. Violet isn’t interested in learning about them, however, and plans to leave the next morning. Only in the morning, her grandmother’s beau is found strangled. With her grandmother a suspect, Violet must stick around to figure out what happened, and she will get some help from a very unlikely source.
I normally try to avoid magic in my mysteries, but this concept sounded like so much fun I had to give it a try. I’m glad I did since I enjoyed the story very much. Magic does play a part, but only a small part, in solving the mystery. Most of the book is still spent following Violet around as she attempts to figure out what is happening. The characters are strong, and I can see them feeling like old friends soon. A couple of sub-plots felt predictable and slow things down a tad at times, but that’s a minor issue overall.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-crime-and-poetry-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I normally try to avoid magic in my mysteries, but this concept sounded like so much fun I had to give it a try. I’m glad I did since I enjoyed the story very much. Magic does play a part, but only a small part, in solving the mystery. Most of the book is still spent following Violet around as she attempts to figure out what is happening. The characters are strong, and I can see them feeling like old friends soon. A couple of sub-plots felt predictable and slow things down a tad at times, but that’s a minor issue overall.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-crime-and-poetry-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Just Plain Murder in Books
Dec 2, 2018
It was Heavenly to Visit These Characters Again
In the time that shop owner Claire Weatherly has been dating detective Jakob Fisher, she has never met Russ Granger, the man Jakob counts as a mentor and father figure. Of course, it makes sense since Russ has retired and moved to Florida. He is back in Heavenly, Pennsylvania, for a visit, but before Jakob and Russ can reconnect, Russ is murdered. Distraught over the man's death, Jakob throws himself into solving the crime. Can Claire help him come up with any leads?
It's been two and a half years since we've been able to visit this community, and I hadn't realized just how much I missed it until I was reading the first page. I was immediately swept back into the peaceful state I find while reading this series. In keeping with a town next to an Amish community, the pace in this series has always been a bit on the slow side, but I did feel this book's pacing was slower than normal. Still, when the pace does pick up, we get a well-done plot. The real star has always been the characters, and I was thrilled to be able to visit them again. They are as wonderful as ever, and I enjoyed some of the developments happening in their lives.
It's been two and a half years since we've been able to visit this community, and I hadn't realized just how much I missed it until I was reading the first page. I was immediately swept back into the peaceful state I find while reading this series. In keeping with a town next to an Amish community, the pace in this series has always been a bit on the slow side, but I did feel this book's pacing was slower than normal. Still, when the pace does pick up, we get a well-done plot. The real star has always been the characters, and I was thrilled to be able to visit them again. They are as wonderful as ever, and I enjoyed some of the developments happening in their lives.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Midnight Fugue (Dalziel & Pascoe #24) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Mismatched colleagues Dalziel and Pascoe must use all their resources to solve a number of crimes, all within a day. Dalziel is back from prolonged sick leave and is feeling he has everything to prove, that he has still got what it takes. Pascoe has been busy in his absence and is glad to see him back - but wary that he must once again play second fiddle.
This is the last Dalziel and Pascoe book and somehow that is fitting, it provides a lot of closure for the two men, in so many ways opposites but who work well as a team. Dalziel is forcing himself back to work and perhaps has finally realised that not only is he not indestructable but that Mid Yorkshire CID is more than capable of solving crimes without him. This last story effectively provides that moment when he acknowledges that Pascoe is - at long last - good enough to fill his shoes.
The plots themselves are a little contrived to fit within the 24 hour sequence but as usual Hill is up to his old tricks of playing with the genre and the reader's expectations of how crime stories go. Because there is not one story here each one is a little light on actual plot but they serve their purpose - hooks to hang one last outing of Dalziel and Pascoe on.
This is the last Dalziel and Pascoe book and somehow that is fitting, it provides a lot of closure for the two men, in so many ways opposites but who work well as a team. Dalziel is forcing himself back to work and perhaps has finally realised that not only is he not indestructable but that Mid Yorkshire CID is more than capable of solving crimes without him. This last story effectively provides that moment when he acknowledges that Pascoe is - at long last - good enough to fill his shoes.
The plots themselves are a little contrived to fit within the 24 hour sequence but as usual Hill is up to his old tricks of playing with the genre and the reader's expectations of how crime stories go. Because there is not one story here each one is a little light on actual plot but they serve their purpose - hooks to hang one last outing of Dalziel and Pascoe on.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated The Overlook (Harry Bosch, #13; Harry Bosch Universe, #16) in Books
Sep 26, 2020
Fast Paced Fast Read
LAPD Detective Harry Bosch has recently transferred to the Los Angeles Homicide Special department, and his first case finds him at an overlook on Mulholland Drive where a doctor was shot in the back of the head. Bosch has hardly gotten the basics of the case when the FBI shows up. As jurisdictional wars break out, Bosch tries to keep his focus on solving the crime. Can he do it?
I was surprised to find this book was shorter than normal for a Harry Bosch novel, but when I learned it originally appeared in serialized form, it made sense. The book doesn’t skimp on twists and turns; they are still packed into the pages. I had part of the solution figured out early, but it was just a small part of it. Bosch is dealing with a ticking clock, and that means that any personal sub-plots are left out of the book. Because of the shorter length, the characters aren’t as well developed as usual, but this lack of character growth is a minor issue. What bothered me more was some of Bosch’s actions here. Normally, I enjoy his efforts to skirt the rules, but in this case, I felt he went a bit too far. Still, Harry’s many fans will enjoy this fast-paced entry to the series.
I was surprised to find this book was shorter than normal for a Harry Bosch novel, but when I learned it originally appeared in serialized form, it made sense. The book doesn’t skimp on twists and turns; they are still packed into the pages. I had part of the solution figured out early, but it was just a small part of it. Bosch is dealing with a ticking clock, and that means that any personal sub-plots are left out of the book. Because of the shorter length, the characters aren’t as well developed as usual, but this lack of character growth is a minor issue. What bothered me more was some of Bosch’s actions here. Normally, I enjoy his efforts to skirt the rules, but in this case, I felt he went a bit too far. Still, Harry’s many fans will enjoy this fast-paced entry to the series.
Kate (493 KP) rated A View to Kill in Books
Aug 19, 2020
This book was 3 stories in one. I couldn't guess the killer but the book didn't grip me. All the books seemed a bit like a murder drama that would be on the TV. The main character ended up solving the crime for the detectives.
The good thing about this books was I got straight into them from page 1. It did keep me entertained and I did want to finish the book but wouldn't read them again.
The author did give the main characters voices and I really got their 'personalities'.
The book didn't give me much feeling.
I don't think the story lived up to the blurb. I was excited by the blurb so was a bit disappointed.
I probably wouldn't read another book by this author. I would normally decide if to read by reading the blurb but this one did let me down.
The 1st story (The devil died at midnight) was an 'ok' story for me.
The 2nd story (Hickory dickory dead) was better and I did enjoy it more. It did have more of a story line that I got into.
The 3rd story (Eye for revenge) was better than the first one but not as good as the 2nd one.
The good thing about this books was I got straight into them from page 1. It did keep me entertained and I did want to finish the book but wouldn't read them again.
The author did give the main characters voices and I really got their 'personalities'.
The book didn't give me much feeling.
I don't think the story lived up to the blurb. I was excited by the blurb so was a bit disappointed.
I probably wouldn't read another book by this author. I would normally decide if to read by reading the blurb but this one did let me down.
The 1st story (The devil died at midnight) was an 'ok' story for me.
The 2nd story (Hickory dickory dead) was better and I did enjoy it more. It did have more of a story line that I got into.
The 3rd story (Eye for revenge) was better than the first one but not as good as the 2nd one.
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