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Christopher Radcliff recommended High and Low (1963) in Movies (curated)
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Legacy (Children's House, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
The book began with a scene of 3 young children, parent-less, sitting on a bench, while a group of adults decided what would happen to them. Would the children be split up, or kept together? What were the pros and cons of each? The children were split up and sent to opposite sides of the country, and since they were young enough, they would never remember.
The story then completely changes pace and goes forward about 30 years to a crime being committed, and that's where the main characters, Freyja and Huldar show up. Freyja is a child trauma psychologist, and Huldar is a recently-promoted detective in charge of his first case.
The first few chapters I really struggled to follow the characters, as it switched 4 times between different perspectives, but then once I figured out who was who I started to follow better. I loved how quickly the characters were developed and built, but it didn't feel like building, it felt like a gradual discovery. I figured out "who's the bad guy" about 15 seconds before it was revealed, which is my favorite way to discover a crime thriller. Looking back, of course there were subtle hints, but there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.
I'm very happy with the ending. It was conclusive enough to feel satisfactory, but definitely open to more adventures in the future. I anxiously await the next two books in the series, and will keep my eyes out for the author. (And no, I have no clue how to pronounce her name.)
Content/Recommendation: 17+, violence, language. It goes without saying that a crime thriller is for adults only, but I'll stress that even having read many crime thrillers over the past 10 years, this one managed to shock me.
The story then completely changes pace and goes forward about 30 years to a crime being committed, and that's where the main characters, Freyja and Huldar show up. Freyja is a child trauma psychologist, and Huldar is a recently-promoted detective in charge of his first case.
The first few chapters I really struggled to follow the characters, as it switched 4 times between different perspectives, but then once I figured out who was who I started to follow better. I loved how quickly the characters were developed and built, but it didn't feel like building, it felt like a gradual discovery. I figured out "who's the bad guy" about 15 seconds before it was revealed, which is my favorite way to discover a crime thriller. Looking back, of course there were subtle hints, but there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.
I'm very happy with the ending. It was conclusive enough to feel satisfactory, but definitely open to more adventures in the future. I anxiously await the next two books in the series, and will keep my eyes out for the author. (And no, I have no clue how to pronounce her name.)
Content/Recommendation: 17+, violence, language. It goes without saying that a crime thriller is for adults only, but I'll stress that even having read many crime thrillers over the past 10 years, this one managed to shock me.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Criminal Records
Edgar Wright's high-energy jukebox thriller may be your last chance to see Kevin Spacey in a new movie. Brilliant young music-loving hearing-impaired getaway driver ends up in hock to criminal mastermind; must decide whether to run for it with his lovely new girlfriend or carry out one last job with some rather suspect associates.
Slightly retro crime thriller with a central gimmick - action sequences are frequently choreographed to the soundtrack - that isn't quite as innovative as it thinks it is. As technically proficient as you would expect from Wright; what's unusual is that the film has a degree of heart you wouldn't expect, not to mention an impressively twisty-turny plotline - just who the main bad guy will turn out to be is not at all clear until quite late on. Good performances all round, too.
Slightly retro crime thriller with a central gimmick - action sequences are frequently choreographed to the soundtrack - that isn't quite as innovative as it thinks it is. As technically proficient as you would expect from Wright; what's unusual is that the film has a degree of heart you wouldn't expect, not to mention an impressively twisty-turny plotline - just who the main bad guy will turn out to be is not at all clear until quite late on. Good performances all round, too.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Bone Collector (1999) in Movies
Jun 8, 2020 (Updated Jun 8, 2020)
The Broken Bones
The Bone Collector- is a unique mystery thriller that ups the suspense and mystery to 10 fold. You keep on guessing until the very end of the movie, you will be surprised on who it is, that how good the suspense and mystery is.
The plot: Policewoman Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) is in hot pursuit of a serial murderer whose calling card is a small shard of bone extracted from each of his victims. Unable to decipher the cryptic clues the killer leaves behind at the scene of the crime, Amelia calls upon quadriplegic forensic criminology expert Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) to help. With Amelia acting as Rhyme's able-bodied go-between, the pair piece together disparate clues, hoping they will learn who the next victim is.
Its a very intresting mystery thriller that will keep you on edge until the very end.
The plot: Policewoman Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) is in hot pursuit of a serial murderer whose calling card is a small shard of bone extracted from each of his victims. Unable to decipher the cryptic clues the killer leaves behind at the scene of the crime, Amelia calls upon quadriplegic forensic criminology expert Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) to help. With Amelia acting as Rhyme's able-bodied go-between, the pair piece together disparate clues, hoping they will learn who the next victim is.
Its a very intresting mystery thriller that will keep you on edge until the very end.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Distant Echo (Inspector Karen Pirie, #1) in Books
May 20, 2019
Great characters (1 more)
Beautiful writing
I loved the writing in this book, it's the first Val McDermid book I've read and it won't be my last.
The character creation and development in the first part of the book as really engaging. I was fully pulled in Scotland in the late 1970s and into the group of friends as their relationship altered as events affected them.
I did fell it started to drag a bit in the second part but really picked up pace for the end and would recommend for anyone wanting a character driven crime thriller.
The character creation and development in the first part of the book as really engaging. I was fully pulled in Scotland in the late 1970s and into the group of friends as their relationship altered as events affected them.
I did fell it started to drag a bit in the second part but really picked up pace for the end and would recommend for anyone wanting a character driven crime thriller.
Dean (6925 KP) rated The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in Movies
Feb 3, 2018
A brilliant film and great ending....for now at least to this trilogy. Dark, gritty and brutal it doesn't feel like a comic book action hero film. It's more a harsh crime thriller! I thought Anne Hathaway was well cast as Catwoman as is Tom Hardy as Bane. The only problem I had was understanding everything Bane said through his face mask, at times the voice doesn't seem to match the villain? Only small minor gripes though, still I have to add The Dark Knight is still my favourite of the 3 with this a close second.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Minority Report (2002) in Movies
Apr 8, 2020
Spider Robots
Minority Report- is a excellent movie. The action, the sci-fi, the future, the plot, the cast, etc. Also Steven Spilberg directs it, so thats a plus.
The plot: Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met.
A excellent movie.
The plot: Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met.
A excellent movie.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Martyr in Books
Feb 27, 2022
37 of 230
Book
Martyr ( John Shakespeare book 1)
By Rory Clements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ingenious debut introduces John Shakespeare, Elizabethan England's most remarkable investigator, in a tale of conspiracy and murder that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller.
This is one of my favourite eras to read! I really enjoyed this book it was full of murder and intrigue in a very dark time especially if you were religious and on the wrong side. It’s definitely a book I recommend if you like historical fiction. It has some very interesting characters along the way.
Book
Martyr ( John Shakespeare book 1)
By Rory Clements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ingenious debut introduces John Shakespeare, Elizabethan England's most remarkable investigator, in a tale of conspiracy and murder that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller.
This is one of my favourite eras to read! I really enjoyed this book it was full of murder and intrigue in a very dark time especially if you were religious and on the wrong side. It’s definitely a book I recommend if you like historical fiction. It has some very interesting characters along the way.
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Hero Mask in TV
Jul 5, 2020
Part Crime Mystery Part Sci-fi Thriller - 6/10
Hero Mask is a sci-fi action thriller anime series written and directed by Hiroyasu Aoki and animated by Studio Pierrot; with character designs by Takahisa Katagiri and music by Hisaki Kato.
James Blood is an officer for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division of the Capital Police Department in London. After Monica Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, suddenly drops dead mysteriously and an enemy James thought dead goes on a rampage at a police station, the SSC begins to investigate. James teams up with Sarah Sinclair, a subordinate of Monica's, to uncover the truth behind who's involved in a ever growing conspiracy including a powerful paramilitary corporation, escaped prisoners who were executed, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.
Hero Mask is in no way a perfect anime, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lot of what it had to offer. It is full of cliches and might not be the most original but I thought the story telling was great and the way it unfolded over the 15 episodes was done quite well. James Blood is an action hero personified. As I watched I felt like I was watching an actual action thriller. Critics complained about the action being slow but to me it felt more grounded in reality and believable instead of over the top. Also I really liked the way the whole mystery and investigation unfolded piece after piece and how it all came together. The animation was top notch and what originally drew me into viewing it as well as the concept. I wouldn't recommend this to the average anime fan but if you are looking for a crime/mystery plot, then you shouldn't write this one off. I give it a 6/10.
James Blood is an officer for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division of the Capital Police Department in London. After Monica Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, suddenly drops dead mysteriously and an enemy James thought dead goes on a rampage at a police station, the SSC begins to investigate. James teams up with Sarah Sinclair, a subordinate of Monica's, to uncover the truth behind who's involved in a ever growing conspiracy including a powerful paramilitary corporation, escaped prisoners who were executed, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.
Hero Mask is in no way a perfect anime, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lot of what it had to offer. It is full of cliches and might not be the most original but I thought the story telling was great and the way it unfolded over the 15 episodes was done quite well. James Blood is an action hero personified. As I watched I felt like I was watching an actual action thriller. Critics complained about the action being slow but to me it felt more grounded in reality and believable instead of over the top. Also I really liked the way the whole mystery and investigation unfolded piece after piece and how it all came together. The animation was top notch and what originally drew me into viewing it as well as the concept. I wouldn't recommend this to the average anime fan but if you are looking for a crime/mystery plot, then you shouldn't write this one off. I give it a 6/10.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Elevator Pitch in Books
Jun 28, 2019
A nice return to U.S. crime fiction
Crime fiction is my thing. It's what I read most of, most of the time.
Over a decade ago I stopped reading crime fiction from the U.S. because I found what seemed to be a an unpleasant dwelling on the suffering of victims; a voyeurism which I found uncomfortable, and highly unpleasant. It was as though American crime writers were incapable of exploring the darkness of humanity, or giving clarity to events without relishing the pain and terror that must have been experienced by those on the receiving end of them.
Of course this was never true of all U.S. crime fiction, but I couldn't be asked to keep searching for the other kind. It was easier to just stay away from it all.
So, this is the first American crime novel I have read in nearly fifteen years.
What a joy it was. Barclay sets out a gripping thriller, an excellently plotted story which will educate you just a bit more than is comfortable on the ease of hacking lift controls in the technical age, whilst carefully leading you up and down the garden path a couple of times. The reading style is comfortable, the exposition is well paced. Eventually you arrive at a satisfying, and prompt conclusion. Barclay avoids the temptation to draw out the end like a cheerleader pulling gum, something that only works in Golden Era crime, and I always feel is out of place in otherwise fast-paced books of a more recent age.
Against this the characters have a slightly superficial feel, as though they have only been given the complexity they need for the book, and the denouement was not a huge surprise, though it was batted back and forth between two potential subjects nicely. But these really are minor complaints I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be going back and reading some more of Linwood's books on the basis of this one.
Over a decade ago I stopped reading crime fiction from the U.S. because I found what seemed to be a an unpleasant dwelling on the suffering of victims; a voyeurism which I found uncomfortable, and highly unpleasant. It was as though American crime writers were incapable of exploring the darkness of humanity, or giving clarity to events without relishing the pain and terror that must have been experienced by those on the receiving end of them.
Of course this was never true of all U.S. crime fiction, but I couldn't be asked to keep searching for the other kind. It was easier to just stay away from it all.
So, this is the first American crime novel I have read in nearly fifteen years.
What a joy it was. Barclay sets out a gripping thriller, an excellently plotted story which will educate you just a bit more than is comfortable on the ease of hacking lift controls in the technical age, whilst carefully leading you up and down the garden path a couple of times. The reading style is comfortable, the exposition is well paced. Eventually you arrive at a satisfying, and prompt conclusion. Barclay avoids the temptation to draw out the end like a cheerleader pulling gum, something that only works in Golden Era crime, and I always feel is out of place in otherwise fast-paced books of a more recent age.
Against this the characters have a slightly superficial feel, as though they have only been given the complexity they need for the book, and the denouement was not a huge surprise, though it was batted back and forth between two potential subjects nicely. But these really are minor complaints I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be going back and reading some more of Linwood's books on the basis of this one.