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Softer Than You Think
Utterly bonkers attempt at combining an apocalyptic thriller with gritty police procedural; the preposterousness of the plot combined with the fact that it always takes itself Very, Very Seriously results in what's essentially a hilarious unintentional comedy.
So, what's it about? Well, a pair of London coppers (cockney geezer and troubled waif) stumble upon a USB stick containing the government's advance planning for the end of the world, which is due in about five years. Quite what form this planning takes is a little unclear, as it neglects to mention just what form the apocalypse is going to take (which if nothing else allows the show a nice big revelation at the end of the season). Geezer and Waif must try to get the truth out there while fending off government agents who want them dead!
Except, it's not really about that: news of the impending catastrophe, whatever it is, lures various nutters out of the woodwork to start committing grisly murders, and - wouldn't you know it - whenever Geezer and Waif get a spare moment from being hunted by the government, they have to go around catching them By Any Means Necessary! (At one point Geezer contemplates waterboarding an innocent man who's not being cooperative enough.)
Except, it's not just about that, either, for Geezer and Waif have the most implausibly complicated back-stories known to man, involving an extramarital fling, a secure unit, an internal affairs investigation, the murder of Geezer's old partner, a secret deal, and Waif's homicidal grown-up son (who seems to be nearly as old as she is).
All of this stuff bangs together in the most grisly and unlikely fashion, with a general tone of overwrought existential misery (every one of the duo's cases either features a moment where they literally start beating each other up with collapsible truncheons, or one where they sit down together and wail 'What's the point of any of this? We're all going to be dead in five years anyway!').
The sheer ridiculousness of Hard Sun makes it quite watchable in a stick-it-on-in-the-background-while-you're-doing-something else kind of way; every time you find yourself saying 'This can't possibly get any sillier' the show comes right back and proves you wrong. The makers of the show are clearly hoping for a full five year run, counting down to the actual apocalypse itself, although clearly the format is in for a big retool somewhere along the line. Fingers crossed this finds the devoted global audience such a potential cult camp classic deserves.
So, what's it about? Well, a pair of London coppers (cockney geezer and troubled waif) stumble upon a USB stick containing the government's advance planning for the end of the world, which is due in about five years. Quite what form this planning takes is a little unclear, as it neglects to mention just what form the apocalypse is going to take (which if nothing else allows the show a nice big revelation at the end of the season). Geezer and Waif must try to get the truth out there while fending off government agents who want them dead!
Except, it's not really about that: news of the impending catastrophe, whatever it is, lures various nutters out of the woodwork to start committing grisly murders, and - wouldn't you know it - whenever Geezer and Waif get a spare moment from being hunted by the government, they have to go around catching them By Any Means Necessary! (At one point Geezer contemplates waterboarding an innocent man who's not being cooperative enough.)
Except, it's not just about that, either, for Geezer and Waif have the most implausibly complicated back-stories known to man, involving an extramarital fling, a secure unit, an internal affairs investigation, the murder of Geezer's old partner, a secret deal, and Waif's homicidal grown-up son (who seems to be nearly as old as she is).
All of this stuff bangs together in the most grisly and unlikely fashion, with a general tone of overwrought existential misery (every one of the duo's cases either features a moment where they literally start beating each other up with collapsible truncheons, or one where they sit down together and wail 'What's the point of any of this? We're all going to be dead in five years anyway!').
The sheer ridiculousness of Hard Sun makes it quite watchable in a stick-it-on-in-the-background-while-you're-doing-something else kind of way; every time you find yourself saying 'This can't possibly get any sillier' the show comes right back and proves you wrong. The makers of the show are clearly hoping for a full five year run, counting down to the actual apocalypse itself, although clearly the format is in for a big retool somewhere along the line. Fingers crossed this finds the devoted global audience such a potential cult camp classic deserves.
The Soundtrack to My Life
Book
This is the story of Dermot's life so far, from growing up in semi rural Colchester with his Irish...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated The Pajama Frame in Books
Jul 26, 2022
Odd Inheritance Leads to Danger
Madison Night is surprised when her friend Alice Sweet leaves her the factory for Sweet Dreams, a pajama company that was closed years ago after a tragic death. Rumors over the decades hinted there may be more to the death than was reported at the time, and there are those who want to get in and see if they can find any clues for themselves. Before Madison can decide exactly what to do with the building, she stumbles over a very fresh dead body. Can she figure out what is going on?
This book started out well, and it never really let up. I was engaged the entire time, and the twists came faster as we got closer. Unfortunately, one aspect of the plot was never really fully explained, but the rest of the mystery is successfully wrapped up. Once again, Madison grows here, and I enjoy seeing her journey. The rest of the cast is just as strong and engaging. Fans of Doris Day movies will enjoy a few Easter eggs hidden in the book, although if you miss them (and I’m sure I missed a couple), it doesn’t take anything away from the story itself. Some humor sprinkled throughout the book added to the fun. If you, like me, need to catch up on this series, you’ll enjoy this book.
This book started out well, and it never really let up. I was engaged the entire time, and the twists came faster as we got closer. Unfortunately, one aspect of the plot was never really fully explained, but the rest of the mystery is successfully wrapped up. Once again, Madison grows here, and I enjoy seeing her journey. The rest of the cast is just as strong and engaging. Fans of Doris Day movies will enjoy a few Easter eggs hidden in the book, although if you miss them (and I’m sure I missed a couple), it doesn’t take anything away from the story itself. Some humor sprinkled throughout the book added to the fun. If you, like me, need to catch up on this series, you’ll enjoy this book.
The End of Cuthbert Close
Book
You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your neighbours. (Trad. proverb, origin:...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated A Fatal Groove in Books
Jul 27, 2023
Murder is Anything but Groovy
It’s the weekend of the Bluebonnet Festival in Cedar River, Texas, and Juni Jessup and her sisters are looking forward to fun while also selling coffee and introducing the bands on the main stage. Their first customer of the first day is Mayor Bob. When Juni goes to drop something off at his office a little later, she finds him dead. With their reputations once again on the line, the sisters try to figure out what is happening. Mayor Bob was popular because he didn’t make any waves, so who would want to kill him?
After an initial strong start, the book stalled a bit introducing some sub-plots before it really got started again. I did guess the killer a little early, but I needed Juni to fill in most of the rest. Once again, there are some odd uses of they/them pronouns, and Juni’s first-person narration comes across as judgmental a few times. Overall, I do like her and I love her relationship with her sisters. The love triangle is still in play, although it takes a back seat to the rest of the happenings. There are lots of smiles and some laughs along the way as well. If you enjoy music and are looking for a fun mystery, this is the series for you.
After an initial strong start, the book stalled a bit introducing some sub-plots before it really got started again. I did guess the killer a little early, but I needed Juni to fill in most of the rest. Once again, there are some odd uses of they/them pronouns, and Juni’s first-person narration comes across as judgmental a few times. Overall, I do like her and I love her relationship with her sisters. The love triangle is still in play, although it takes a back seat to the rest of the happenings. There are lots of smiles and some laughs along the way as well. If you enjoy music and are looking for a fun mystery, this is the series for you.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Acid in Books
Jan 6, 2021
***I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
3.5 stars.
This was a long book and therefore I had to break it up with others but it didn’t take away my intrigue with the book. A lot happened in it and it kept me coming back, if only to read a few pages at a time.
I’ll admit for the first 15% or so I was really interested but then it got a little slow (which was when I started breaking it up with other books) and it was only when I got to around the 50% mark that I got really into it again and quite literally devoured it in a few hours.
The plot was different to anything I’ve ever read and I think it was for that reason that I was so intrigued. How England is being run by an agency that doesn’t allow you to go abroad at all or to leave the city without a valid c-card (I.D). If this is what’s going to happen in the future then God help us…though in another hundred years I think I’ll be long past dead and wont particularly care.
That’s something else I like about this book, the fact it’s set in England (which doesn’t seem to happen so often in the books I read) and we travel from London to Manchester and a few other places :)
Jenna is a strong, kick-ass, character and I found myself willing her on whether in prison or out in London and the other areas they visit. I also liked her relationship with Max.
If you like something young adult, dystopian and intriguing then you will love this. It’s certainly different.
3.5 stars.
This was a long book and therefore I had to break it up with others but it didn’t take away my intrigue with the book. A lot happened in it and it kept me coming back, if only to read a few pages at a time.
I’ll admit for the first 15% or so I was really interested but then it got a little slow (which was when I started breaking it up with other books) and it was only when I got to around the 50% mark that I got really into it again and quite literally devoured it in a few hours.
The plot was different to anything I’ve ever read and I think it was for that reason that I was so intrigued. How England is being run by an agency that doesn’t allow you to go abroad at all or to leave the city without a valid c-card (I.D). If this is what’s going to happen in the future then God help us…though in another hundred years I think I’ll be long past dead and wont particularly care.
That’s something else I like about this book, the fact it’s set in England (which doesn’t seem to happen so often in the books I read) and we travel from London to Manchester and a few other places :)
Jenna is a strong, kick-ass, character and I found myself willing her on whether in prison or out in London and the other areas they visit. I also liked her relationship with Max.
If you like something young adult, dystopian and intriguing then you will love this. It’s certainly different.
Stickman Racer Road Draw
Games
App Watch
Stickman Racer Road Draw is a sequel to the legendary game of survival, where to make incredible...
games
Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies
Games and Entertainment
App
The Call of Duty®: Zombies phenomenon has risen back to life. Adapted from the best-selling...
The Shock of the Fall
8.0
Rate It
Book
WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR 2013 WINNER OF THE SPECSAVERS POPULAR FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR...
the shock of the fall nathan filer fiction contemporary mental health
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Reflected in You (Crossfire, #2) in Books
May 10, 2018
The story of Eva and Gideon continues. Now, this book didn't make me think of 50 Shades at all, thank goodness. Eva and Gideon are now going to therapy together and trying to work on their issues and the crazy relationship that they have.
Gideon is trying to understand why it is so hard for Eva to trust him and Eva just wants Gideon to let her in.
In this book, their relationship is such a roller coaster ride, I got motion sickness. So many things happen in this book, that just astounded me.
<spoiler>Eva meets up with an old flame, who still has a little sizzle left, he actually wrote a song about her. Cary, the roommate is attacked, but why, no one knows. Nathan, the evil step-brother that molested and raped her as a child is found dead, and Eva didn't even know he was keeping tabs on her. Gideon stops communicating with her after an amazing weekend away. Her parents come face to face with each other for the first time in years. Gideon finally tells Eva, what she wants to hear, in more ways than one.</spoiler>
I'm interested to know what is going to happen next for these too.
One great thing about this book compared to Bared To You, she doesn't use the C-word nearly as much!!!
Gideon is trying to understand why it is so hard for Eva to trust him and Eva just wants Gideon to let her in.
In this book, their relationship is such a roller coaster ride, I got motion sickness. So many things happen in this book, that just astounded me.
<spoiler>Eva meets up with an old flame, who still has a little sizzle left, he actually wrote a song about her. Cary, the roommate is attacked, but why, no one knows. Nathan, the evil step-brother that molested and raped her as a child is found dead, and Eva didn't even know he was keeping tabs on her. Gideon stops communicating with her after an amazing weekend away. Her parents come face to face with each other for the first time in years. Gideon finally tells Eva, what she wants to hear, in more ways than one.</spoiler>
I'm interested to know what is going to happen next for these too.
One great thing about this book compared to Bared To You, she doesn't use the C-word nearly as much!!!