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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Dead School in Books
Mar 2, 2019
A quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Dead School by Laura Gia West was described by reviewer David Nora on Goodreads as "Harry Potter meets Beetlejuice". I would not agree completely with the description but it is close.
Tina Crocker hates Valentine's Day and school. She failed at life, love, and everything else she has tried except for playing her guitar. She decides to participate in the school's talent school, kills it, and dies on stage. She is transported to Dead School where she finds out just how much of a failure she has been. Can she pass Dead School or will she fail at this too?
Dead School is not a dark novel and many reviewers did not like the book because they expected it to be. Reading the description shows it is not. In her debut novel, West takes a different look at being dead. Her main character is a failure, sarcastic, flawed person in life and the hereafter but she is likeable.
Dead School is a quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book. Go into this with an open mind and just enjoy it.
I am looking forward to reading more from Laura Gia West.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/2/19.
Dead School by Laura Gia West was described by reviewer David Nora on Goodreads as "Harry Potter meets Beetlejuice". I would not agree completely with the description but it is close.
Tina Crocker hates Valentine's Day and school. She failed at life, love, and everything else she has tried except for playing her guitar. She decides to participate in the school's talent school, kills it, and dies on stage. She is transported to Dead School where she finds out just how much of a failure she has been. Can she pass Dead School or will she fail at this too?
Dead School is not a dark novel and many reviewers did not like the book because they expected it to be. Reading the description shows it is not. In her debut novel, West takes a different look at being dead. Her main character is a failure, sarcastic, flawed person in life and the hereafter but she is likeable.
Dead School is a quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book. Go into this with an open mind and just enjoy it.
I am looking forward to reading more from Laura Gia West.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/2/19.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Darkest Truth: She refused to be silenced in Books
May 22, 2019
He'll do anything to protect his secrets. She'll stop at nothing to expose the truth.
It only takes one person to break the silence.
When solicitor Finn Fitzpatrick is approached by a man to investigate the death of his daughter, her first instinct is to refuse.
The father is grieving, and unable to accept that his daughter committed suicide. And yet something about the mans story chimes with Finn.
Why did a bright, confident, beautiful young girl suddenly drop out of school? Could the answer lie in her relationship with Ireland's most famous film director?
The deeper Finn goes into the case, the more dark, twisted and dangerous the picture becomes.
Because these are powerful people she is trying to expose. And they're willing to do anything to keep the truth hidden.
This is a brilliant crime thriller debut from Catherine Kirwan featuring Finola 'Finn' Fitzpatrick, a solicitor, set in the small town of Cork in Ireland
This is a fast-paced and gripping novel.
This one's written from a really interesting perspective of a slightly eccentric solicitor rather than a cop.
The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page.
Kirwan hits on one of the hottest issues in our contemporary world, and handles it sensitively as she weaves a hugely compelling novel around it.
Definitely a worthwhile read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Catherine Kirwan/Random House UK, Cornerstone for a digital copy of this title.
It only takes one person to break the silence.
When solicitor Finn Fitzpatrick is approached by a man to investigate the death of his daughter, her first instinct is to refuse.
The father is grieving, and unable to accept that his daughter committed suicide. And yet something about the mans story chimes with Finn.
Why did a bright, confident, beautiful young girl suddenly drop out of school? Could the answer lie in her relationship with Ireland's most famous film director?
The deeper Finn goes into the case, the more dark, twisted and dangerous the picture becomes.
Because these are powerful people she is trying to expose. And they're willing to do anything to keep the truth hidden.
This is a brilliant crime thriller debut from Catherine Kirwan featuring Finola 'Finn' Fitzpatrick, a solicitor, set in the small town of Cork in Ireland
This is a fast-paced and gripping novel.
This one's written from a really interesting perspective of a slightly eccentric solicitor rather than a cop.
The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page.
Kirwan hits on one of the hottest issues in our contemporary world, and handles it sensitively as she weaves a hugely compelling novel around it.
Definitely a worthwhile read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Catherine Kirwan/Random House UK, Cornerstone for a digital copy of this title.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Idaho in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Read me review here: https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/2017/02/16/review-idaho-by-emily-ruskovich/
<i><b>Take your picture off the wall
So I wont have to see your eyes
And maybe soon I wont recall
The painful things that once were nice</i></b>
This is one of those pieces of literature that is so beautiful and so emotional that its hard to get your words out. Im stuck on how to convey the beauty and excellence of this book.
Told through several different perspectives over several different years, this novel is a character study of how one event can affect so many different people. If youre into slow paced, character focused novels with little mystery and action, then this novel is going to become one of your favourites.
Without going through every single character and scene, I feel like its not easy to comment on this novel, but I dont really want to give anything away because I think this is a book you should start off with, not knowing much about it. If Ruskovich wanted you to know more about this piece of work, shed have written a different synopsis.
All I can say about this book is that its a <b>must read</b> debut for 2017. Im looking forward to more of Ruskovichs work.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Vintage Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
<i><b>Take your picture off the wall
So I wont have to see your eyes
And maybe soon I wont recall
The painful things that once were nice</i></b>
This is one of those pieces of literature that is so beautiful and so emotional that its hard to get your words out. Im stuck on how to convey the beauty and excellence of this book.
Told through several different perspectives over several different years, this novel is a character study of how one event can affect so many different people. If youre into slow paced, character focused novels with little mystery and action, then this novel is going to become one of your favourites.
Without going through every single character and scene, I feel like its not easy to comment on this novel, but I dont really want to give anything away because I think this is a book you should start off with, not knowing much about it. If Ruskovich wanted you to know more about this piece of work, shed have written a different synopsis.
All I can say about this book is that its a <b>must read</b> debut for 2017. Im looking forward to more of Ruskovichs work.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Vintage Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
The nerdy birdie (67 KP) rated The Other Woman in Books
Jul 2, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley & St.Martin's Press & Minotaur books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review! I tried to win this in a Bookish giveaway but was a bit sad when I didn't win ! Surprise I still got my hands on it thanks to you all ...It was meant to be ❤️??
Yes ! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!! This book is everything you could possibly want in a thriller !!!!! Believe me I try to read almost every single thriller including both New Releases and the oldies but goodies! I am a huge critic when it comes to plot twists and pacing of a suspenseful novel and this one was spot on since page one! Gripping & addictive! Highly relatable characters, even the ones you can't stand, and wildly aggressive dialogue. I felt like I was Emily and was feeling her pain; her struggles!
I had a sneaking suspicion the entire time that I knew what was going on with good ol " Mum" but this book was so phenomenally written that I wasn't quite sure.
I read this in less than a 24 hour time span and literally could not put it down! I even brought my iPad along with me for the ride to the restaurant For dinner haha!
Un-putdownable ( I made my own word) I fell asleep with it in my arms! This is the first Netgalley book to be added to my favorites shelf ????
I'm pretty sure that this is a debut novel for Sandie Jones as well---- I commend you! Well done ❤️ Can't wait for more from her !!!
Yes ! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!! This book is everything you could possibly want in a thriller !!!!! Believe me I try to read almost every single thriller including both New Releases and the oldies but goodies! I am a huge critic when it comes to plot twists and pacing of a suspenseful novel and this one was spot on since page one! Gripping & addictive! Highly relatable characters, even the ones you can't stand, and wildly aggressive dialogue. I felt like I was Emily and was feeling her pain; her struggles!
I had a sneaking suspicion the entire time that I knew what was going on with good ol " Mum" but this book was so phenomenally written that I wasn't quite sure.
I read this in less than a 24 hour time span and literally could not put it down! I even brought my iPad along with me for the ride to the restaurant For dinner haha!
Un-putdownable ( I made my own word) I fell asleep with it in my arms! This is the first Netgalley book to be added to my favorites shelf ????
I'm pretty sure that this is a debut novel for Sandie Jones as well---- I commend you! Well done ❤️ Can't wait for more from her !!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Killalot in Books
Nov 18, 2018
Will There be a Renaissance in Crime?
Part-time PI and actress Ivy Meadows is enjoying a rare day off with her boyfriend, her brother, and her brother's girlfriend at the Renaissance faire thanks to free tickets from her friend, fellow actor Riley. They are going to watch Riley's debut in the jousting event when a terrible accident ends with one jouster seriously injured and the other riding Riley's horse off into the desert. Riley claims to have been knocked out, but was he? Ivy finds herself undercover at the home of a Broadway writer and at the faire. Will she be able to keep her undercover assignments straight? Will she find out what happened? Could this job land her a ticket to Broadway?
As you can tell, there is a lot happening in this book. Unfortunately, it overshadows the mystery at times. While things came to a satisfactory climax, I felt we could have gotten more development on the mystery earlier. However, I was never bored. So much was happening I was always reluctant to put the book down because I was having fun. Part of that fun came from the characters; as usual for the series, we meet a wide variety of very fun people. While the book has a comedic tone overall, things do get serious in the last quarter without getting dark. This allows for some wonderful character growth in Ivy. Fans of the series will be thrilled to see how she progresses here. I can't wait to see where this leads in the next book.
As you can tell, there is a lot happening in this book. Unfortunately, it overshadows the mystery at times. While things came to a satisfactory climax, I felt we could have gotten more development on the mystery earlier. However, I was never bored. So much was happening I was always reluctant to put the book down because I was having fun. Part of that fun came from the characters; as usual for the series, we meet a wide variety of very fun people. While the book has a comedic tone overall, things do get serious in the last quarter without getting dark. This allows for some wonderful character growth in Ivy. Fans of the series will be thrilled to see how she progresses here. I can't wait to see where this leads in the next book.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
For a debut novel, Quinn's 500 page Roman epic impresses. The blub describes it as 'aimed squarely at the female market' but I'm sure men would find something to enjoy in here too; on reflection I think I'd be more likely to lend it to be brother than my mother!
The narrative in the book is a bit odd and it took a little while for me to get used to it. Large chunks are in the first person, mainly from one of the two main female characters. This sometimes would get confussing when switching between the two, especially when these two characters are together, early in the novel. The text will then switch back into a third person narrative. Overall I think Quinn has made this narrative device work quite well, it just takes a bit of getting used to.
The character of Lepida is through and through nasty, with not a single redeeming characteristic, so while one is happy to see her meet Nemesis (did the Roman's have an equivalent?!) she is really a bit of a one-dimentional character.
There is a note at the end of the book which explains a little more about what is historical fact and what is taking a bit of a liberty; that's the sort of thing that I do like in an historical novel - I think it's helpful.
I found this a gripping, hard-to-put-down read, although it's pretty violently, both in the fighting and the sexual stakes; not one for the squeamish!
The narrative in the book is a bit odd and it took a little while for me to get used to it. Large chunks are in the first person, mainly from one of the two main female characters. This sometimes would get confussing when switching between the two, especially when these two characters are together, early in the novel. The text will then switch back into a third person narrative. Overall I think Quinn has made this narrative device work quite well, it just takes a bit of getting used to.
The character of Lepida is through and through nasty, with not a single redeeming characteristic, so while one is happy to see her meet Nemesis (did the Roman's have an equivalent?!) she is really a bit of a one-dimentional character.
There is a note at the end of the book which explains a little more about what is historical fact and what is taking a bit of a liberty; that's the sort of thing that I do like in an historical novel - I think it's helpful.
I found this a gripping, hard-to-put-down read, although it's pretty violently, both in the fighting and the sexual stakes; not one for the squeamish!
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Painter Place in Books
Nov 1, 2019
Christian
In June of 1985, Caroline Painter's uncle whisks her away from her island home at Painter Place to film an art video in the harbor village of Mevagissey. But instead of clearing her head, the young artist becomes entangled in adventure on the English Channel when she influences a rock star's contract and the media launches her into fame. When she returns home, she discovers a shattering secret that makes her question everything in her life. Can she trust the only one who says he understands?
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story of a close-knit family. Living in an idyllic southern island setting. This is a story that is about trust, honesty, and purity. It's about our Christian character.
Caroline Painter is a talented young woman whose family has lived on the island since her relatives left England in the early 1600's. In the author's debut novel, she has given the reader an excellent reading experience. The story-line is full of wonderful characters that the reader will love, she brings the readers into the story with wonderful characters and lots of emotion. This is certainly a fairy tale story; with fast expensive cars and gifts, but one that the readers will love.
I appreciated when Caroline gave her testimony for Christ in the story which led others to Christ. The painter family has strong beliefs that they stand for, and value the rich family character.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next books in the series!
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story of a close-knit family. Living in an idyllic southern island setting. This is a story that is about trust, honesty, and purity. It's about our Christian character.
Caroline Painter is a talented young woman whose family has lived on the island since her relatives left England in the early 1600's. In the author's debut novel, she has given the reader an excellent reading experience. The story-line is full of wonderful characters that the reader will love, she brings the readers into the story with wonderful characters and lots of emotion. This is certainly a fairy tale story; with fast expensive cars and gifts, but one that the readers will love.
I appreciated when Caroline gave her testimony for Christ in the story which led others to Christ. The painter family has strong beliefs that they stand for, and value the rich family character.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next books in the series!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Evil Dead (1981) in Movies
Jul 28, 2019
The Book of the Dead
The evil dead- is a dark, horrorfying, hack and slash. Comedic, phenomal, excellent, twisted horror film. This is sam ramini debut of directing films. He went on to direct "the spider-man triolgy and drag me to hell".
The evil dead as has bruce campbell as ash williams. He is the best part of this movie and this franchise as a whole. In this film, Ash is portrayed as being cowardly and incapable of dealing with the horrors presented to him. Over the course of the film, Ash gradually overcomes his fears and manages to fight off his possessed friends. Also, he is shown to take his predicament very seriously in the first film, rather than in a comedic manner, as in the subsequent films.
The plot: Ashley "Ash" Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend and three pals hike into the woods to a cabin for a fun night away. There they find an old book, the Necronomicon, whose text reawakens the dead when it's read aloud. The friends inadvertently release a flood of evil and must fight for their lives or become one of the evil dead. Ash watches his friends become possessed, and must make a difficult decision before daybreak to save his own life in this, the first of Sam Raimi's trilogy.
The evil dead- is one of the best horror movies of all time. I would highly reccordmend it if you havent seen it. And also watch the other ones as well.
The evil dead as has bruce campbell as ash williams. He is the best part of this movie and this franchise as a whole. In this film, Ash is portrayed as being cowardly and incapable of dealing with the horrors presented to him. Over the course of the film, Ash gradually overcomes his fears and manages to fight off his possessed friends. Also, he is shown to take his predicament very seriously in the first film, rather than in a comedic manner, as in the subsequent films.
The plot: Ashley "Ash" Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend and three pals hike into the woods to a cabin for a fun night away. There they find an old book, the Necronomicon, whose text reawakens the dead when it's read aloud. The friends inadvertently release a flood of evil and must fight for their lives or become one of the evil dead. Ash watches his friends become possessed, and must make a difficult decision before daybreak to save his own life in this, the first of Sam Raimi's trilogy.
The evil dead- is one of the best horror movies of all time. I would highly reccordmend it if you havent seen it. And also watch the other ones as well.
Ronnie (304 KP) rated A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Books
Feb 1, 2020 (Updated Feb 13, 2020)
the book so terrifying that you feel as though you can’t breathe or you’ll disrupt the tension
Holly Jackson’s debut novel “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” is a thrilling page turner. Pippa Fitz-Amobi grew up in the same small English town that 5 years prior, witnessed the murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell. In 2017, Pippa starts a school project trying to prove that Sal Singh, who was convicted of Andie’s murder, is innocent. She work’s with Sal’s younger brother, Ravi, to uncover the truth of what happened 5 years ago, but will this put her life in danger?
Throughout the book Jackson takes serious subjects like murder and suicide and handles them with care, although she also manages to take the edge off them by using humour. Despite the humour used to lighten the mood, there are also sections of the book so terrifying that you feel as though you can’t breathe or you’ll disrupt the tension. Holly Jackson managed to spin a story so intriguing that you can’t put the book down and will have you constantly puzzled by the curveballs thrown, completely changing who the top suspect is. The book also contains entries from Pippa’s log book, which is a very interesting addition, and it also helps to break down complex pieces of evidence and make them easier to understand.
The follow up to “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” is due to be published in April and will follow Pip as she investigates another disappearance and uncovers more of Little Kilton’s darkest secrets.
Throughout the book Jackson takes serious subjects like murder and suicide and handles them with care, although she also manages to take the edge off them by using humour. Despite the humour used to lighten the mood, there are also sections of the book so terrifying that you feel as though you can’t breathe or you’ll disrupt the tension. Holly Jackson managed to spin a story so intriguing that you can’t put the book down and will have you constantly puzzled by the curveballs thrown, completely changing who the top suspect is. The book also contains entries from Pippa’s log book, which is a very interesting addition, and it also helps to break down complex pieces of evidence and make them easier to understand.
The follow up to “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” is due to be published in April and will follow Pip as she investigates another disappearance and uncovers more of Little Kilton’s darkest secrets.
JT (287 KP) rated The Drop (2014) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
A brooding English debut feature from Michaël R. Roskam who cooks up a simmering pot of dramatic intrigue.
Tom Hardy plays Bob Saginowski a quiet unimposing figure who helps to tend the bar of his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini‘s last film before he sadly passed away). The bar is the main dropping off point for all money collected from mob owned businesses. The location of the bar changes each night.
When the bar is held up the money stolen belongs to the Chechen mob who want it back putting Bob and Marv in a tight spot. The setting is the streets of Brooklyn where age old mafioso have been replaced by a more brutal foe. In this instance in the form of the Chechen mob.
One night Bob finds a puppy in a bin and upon rescuing it meets Nadia (Noomi Rapace) who has a hidden past of her own, one that Bob refuses to question. The puppy will certainly tug at your heart strings but it’s Hardy’s spot on Brooklyn accent and good natured personality that wins through. Even when he’s harassed by Matthias Schoenaerts’s Eric Deeds he remains calm.
Deep down however we known that something inside him is going to snap, it’s just trying to predict the moment when it will happen. This makes for an engaging thriller with a twist ending that is more than satisfying.
The Drop is a slow burn that builds from the outset. It’s great to see Gandolfini on screen one last time and such a disappointment that he is no longer with us.
Tom Hardy plays Bob Saginowski a quiet unimposing figure who helps to tend the bar of his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini‘s last film before he sadly passed away). The bar is the main dropping off point for all money collected from mob owned businesses. The location of the bar changes each night.
When the bar is held up the money stolen belongs to the Chechen mob who want it back putting Bob and Marv in a tight spot. The setting is the streets of Brooklyn where age old mafioso have been replaced by a more brutal foe. In this instance in the form of the Chechen mob.
One night Bob finds a puppy in a bin and upon rescuing it meets Nadia (Noomi Rapace) who has a hidden past of her own, one that Bob refuses to question. The puppy will certainly tug at your heart strings but it’s Hardy’s spot on Brooklyn accent and good natured personality that wins through. Even when he’s harassed by Matthias Schoenaerts’s Eric Deeds he remains calm.
Deep down however we known that something inside him is going to snap, it’s just trying to predict the moment when it will happen. This makes for an engaging thriller with a twist ending that is more than satisfying.
The Drop is a slow burn that builds from the outset. It’s great to see Gandolfini on screen one last time and such a disappointment that he is no longer with us.