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Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Heartlands (Detective Jessie Blake #1) in Books
May 22, 2019
Call it mothers intuition, but I knew she was dead the moment she was late home. As I listened to her phone ring and ring, thats when I knew for sure. My little girl was gone.
Fifteen-year-old Shannon Ross is missing and her parents are distraught. With her long blonde hair, easy laugh and perfect grades, shes the girl everyone at school wants to be.
Detective Jessie Blake is called to Inverlochty, the missing girls home town in the Scottish Highlands, and finds Shannon was keeping a diary full of friends and neighbors secrets. She knows the kind, outgoing boy whos sleeping with his teacher and the quiet woman whos been having an affair with her best friends husband.
Just as Jessie and her team are beginning to understand Shannons complicated world, her lifeless body is found on an ice-cold river bank on the outskirts of town. And when Jessie tells Shannons family the heart-breaking news, she senses something isnt right. The loving family is beginning to show cracks. Did Shannon know about her fathers alcohol problems and violent past? Why does Shannons mother keep finding excuses to leave the room, when Jessie wants to ask her questions?
As Jessie begins to piece together the final days of Shannons life, her own history comes back to haunt her. Putting aside her personal demons, Jessie vows to do whatever it takes to catch Shannons killer. But what if the killer is ready to strike first?
Totally captivating and addictive read. I loved this book! There are two storylines. One routed in the past about a brutally raped and murdered school girl and her young killers as they face trial and juvenile detention. One in the present, a missing school girl, Shannon, baring all the similarities of the case from the past - or so it seems.
There are a lot of characters introduced and it ca be a bit overwhelming but persevere as the novel is one worth reading.
The plot is very well written in my opinion and it does flow well. The main characters are well written and enjoy them.
Very compelling and suspenseful read.
I look forward to more in the series as it develops and hope to get more backstory on the detective.
Highly recommend!
My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.
Fifteen-year-old Shannon Ross is missing and her parents are distraught. With her long blonde hair, easy laugh and perfect grades, shes the girl everyone at school wants to be.
Detective Jessie Blake is called to Inverlochty, the missing girls home town in the Scottish Highlands, and finds Shannon was keeping a diary full of friends and neighbors secrets. She knows the kind, outgoing boy whos sleeping with his teacher and the quiet woman whos been having an affair with her best friends husband.
Just as Jessie and her team are beginning to understand Shannons complicated world, her lifeless body is found on an ice-cold river bank on the outskirts of town. And when Jessie tells Shannons family the heart-breaking news, she senses something isnt right. The loving family is beginning to show cracks. Did Shannon know about her fathers alcohol problems and violent past? Why does Shannons mother keep finding excuses to leave the room, when Jessie wants to ask her questions?
As Jessie begins to piece together the final days of Shannons life, her own history comes back to haunt her. Putting aside her personal demons, Jessie vows to do whatever it takes to catch Shannons killer. But what if the killer is ready to strike first?
Totally captivating and addictive read. I loved this book! There are two storylines. One routed in the past about a brutally raped and murdered school girl and her young killers as they face trial and juvenile detention. One in the present, a missing school girl, Shannon, baring all the similarities of the case from the past - or so it seems.
There are a lot of characters introduced and it ca be a bit overwhelming but persevere as the novel is one worth reading.
The plot is very well written in my opinion and it does flow well. The main characters are well written and enjoy them.
Very compelling and suspenseful read.
I look forward to more in the series as it develops and hope to get more backstory on the detective.
Highly recommend!
My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Man on the Roof in Books
Jul 1, 2018
Hmmmm ... if I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be ... frustrating! Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, it's just infuriatingly annoying. Let me try and explain.
The story is basically about the murder of a young lad found suspended from a banner in a cul-de-sac of houses where we find the main suspects who, we learn, all have secrets that they don't want to come out. In comes the police to investigate the crime and the various suspects that live in the cul-de-sac. Sounds ok so far however, therein lies the problem. There are so many suspects, none of which are particularly likeable, it was difficult to keep track of who was who and who was married to who and as the secrets were revealed, whose secret was it! In addition, each of the chapters is written in different styles from different people and you don't always know who the people are ... I ended up being very confused. There's lots of description and whilst some of it is good, e.g. people's gestures and behaviour, a lot of it is unnecessary and this makes it a very long book ... well it seemed long to me.
There are some inconsistencies as well which I found annoying. For example, the names of the police officers change ... one minute they were Detective Cady Lambert and Detective Braidey Fitzsimmons and then they were Cady and Braidey and then they were Lambert and Fitzsimmons ... this may seem trivial but when you have so many characters, it's hard to keep track so changing their names throughout causes you to lose the thread of who is who.
Now don't get me wrong, as I said this isn't a bad book, it actually has the bones of being an excellent dark and gritty thriller but there's just too much going on that affects the flow of reading for me and I just think it needs tidying up.
I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book after finding my blog. I really appreciate the time and effort he has made in writing a complex story and putting it out there for people like me, who couldn't write a decent letter, to criticise and pick apart ... that is brave and I salute you Mr Stephenson and encourage you to keep going.
The story is basically about the murder of a young lad found suspended from a banner in a cul-de-sac of houses where we find the main suspects who, we learn, all have secrets that they don't want to come out. In comes the police to investigate the crime and the various suspects that live in the cul-de-sac. Sounds ok so far however, therein lies the problem. There are so many suspects, none of which are particularly likeable, it was difficult to keep track of who was who and who was married to who and as the secrets were revealed, whose secret was it! In addition, each of the chapters is written in different styles from different people and you don't always know who the people are ... I ended up being very confused. There's lots of description and whilst some of it is good, e.g. people's gestures and behaviour, a lot of it is unnecessary and this makes it a very long book ... well it seemed long to me.
There are some inconsistencies as well which I found annoying. For example, the names of the police officers change ... one minute they were Detective Cady Lambert and Detective Braidey Fitzsimmons and then they were Cady and Braidey and then they were Lambert and Fitzsimmons ... this may seem trivial but when you have so many characters, it's hard to keep track so changing their names throughout causes you to lose the thread of who is who.
Now don't get me wrong, as I said this isn't a bad book, it actually has the bones of being an excellent dark and gritty thriller but there's just too much going on that affects the flow of reading for me and I just think it needs tidying up.
I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book after finding my blog. I really appreciate the time and effort he has made in writing a complex story and putting it out there for people like me, who couldn't write a decent letter, to criticise and pick apart ... that is brave and I salute you Mr Stephenson and encourage you to keep going.
Broadchurch - Season 1
9.0
Rate It
TV Season Watch
Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste and legendary actress Charlotte Rampling star alongside...
Broadchurch
8.4
Rate It
TV Show Watch
Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste and legendary actress Charlotte Rampling star alongside...
David McK (3505 KP) rated The Batman (2022) in Movies
Apr 3, 2022 (Updated Oct 23, 2022)
"I am vengeance!"
Batman.
First debuting in DC Comics, 1939, and now one of the most popular superheroes of all, amongst the 'holy trinity' of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman
It's often forgotten and/or overlooked in his numerous movies to date that those initials (DC) actually stand for Detective Comics, with Batman - on the pages - sometimes also known as The Worlds Greatest Detective.
This is the first of his movies that I can think of where that aspect of his character is portrayed - sure, there hints of it in 1989s Batman, but only hints. Here it's full force, front and centre, with Batman - only his second year as a Vigilante - working alongside Jim Gordon and a proto-Catwoman to track down and apprehend the serial killer known only as The Riddler, who is leaving clues behind at all his kills.
A very different portrayal of that character than Jim Carrey's version in 'Batman Forever'.
This is also a very long film - nearly 3 hours - that, I felt, is in danger of outstaying it's welcome, with very little in the way of superheroics. More of a police whodunnit with costumed characters, maybe. There's also a perfect 'cutting-off' point at just after the third act, with - I guess? - a studio mandate for the fourth act tacked on, which is probably more along the lines of what to expect from a Batman movie.
As for Robert Pattinson as The Caped Crusader? I kept expecting him to sparkle. Unfair, I know (to type cast him as the vampire from Twilight), but I do think he may have swung too far in the other direction when portraying Bruce Wayne; here very much an emo goth kid rather than the swaggering heir to the fortune he is oft shown as. In fact, there's very little of Bruce on display: he spends most of his time, in costume, as Batman. This was a conscious decision, or so I have heard, to show how Bruce is in danger of losing himself to that persona. I'm also struggling to think of a single key 'stand-out' moment in line with 'Batman Begins' rescuing Rachel or 'The Dark Knight' "he's the Hero we need ..." bit: the Penguin car chase, perhaps?
So, yeah, a very different cinematic take on The Dark Knight, indeed.
First debuting in DC Comics, 1939, and now one of the most popular superheroes of all, amongst the 'holy trinity' of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman
It's often forgotten and/or overlooked in his numerous movies to date that those initials (DC) actually stand for Detective Comics, with Batman - on the pages - sometimes also known as The Worlds Greatest Detective.
This is the first of his movies that I can think of where that aspect of his character is portrayed - sure, there hints of it in 1989s Batman, but only hints. Here it's full force, front and centre, with Batman - only his second year as a Vigilante - working alongside Jim Gordon and a proto-Catwoman to track down and apprehend the serial killer known only as The Riddler, who is leaving clues behind at all his kills.
A very different portrayal of that character than Jim Carrey's version in 'Batman Forever'.
This is also a very long film - nearly 3 hours - that, I felt, is in danger of outstaying it's welcome, with very little in the way of superheroics. More of a police whodunnit with costumed characters, maybe. There's also a perfect 'cutting-off' point at just after the third act, with - I guess? - a studio mandate for the fourth act tacked on, which is probably more along the lines of what to expect from a Batman movie.
As for Robert Pattinson as The Caped Crusader? I kept expecting him to sparkle. Unfair, I know (to type cast him as the vampire from Twilight), but I do think he may have swung too far in the other direction when portraying Bruce Wayne; here very much an emo goth kid rather than the swaggering heir to the fortune he is oft shown as. In fact, there's very little of Bruce on display: he spends most of his time, in costume, as Batman. This was a conscious decision, or so I have heard, to show how Bruce is in danger of losing himself to that persona. I'm also struggling to think of a single key 'stand-out' moment in line with 'Batman Begins' rescuing Rachel or 'The Dark Knight' "he's the Hero we need ..." bit: the Penguin car chase, perhaps?
So, yeah, a very different cinematic take on The Dark Knight, indeed.
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated The Dry in Books
Oct 31, 2017 (Updated Oct 31, 2017)
Vividly realistic, a real page-turner
This is unlike most thrillers, which seems to become hyperbolic by the end of the book. Set in the outback of Australia, the novel focuses on a small rural community where a family have been murdered.
A detective is forced to go back to his roots in this town, and confront his own demons which appears to have a connection to the murder in some shape or form. Here we see farmers reeling from drought and bush fires, making them distraught and antsy by his presence. We see increasing tension and violence as he continues to wade through all of the mysteries, overturning all of their stories, culminating in possible ex-communication.
It is an intriguing tale with the denouement well hidden until the end. The harsh surroundings and the unforgiving characters in the township are well explored and the descriptions are vivid. I read this in two days, as it is an easy page-turner, gradually revealing dark secrets, uncovering the truth through past conversations and events which leave you fairly surprised. Looking forward to watching the film.
A detective is forced to go back to his roots in this town, and confront his own demons which appears to have a connection to the murder in some shape or form. Here we see farmers reeling from drought and bush fires, making them distraught and antsy by his presence. We see increasing tension and violence as he continues to wade through all of the mysteries, overturning all of their stories, culminating in possible ex-communication.
It is an intriguing tale with the denouement well hidden until the end. The harsh surroundings and the unforgiving characters in the township are well explored and the descriptions are vivid. I read this in two days, as it is an easy page-turner, gradually revealing dark secrets, uncovering the truth through past conversations and events which leave you fairly surprised. Looking forward to watching the film.
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Feb 6, 2019
Intelligent writing (2 more)
Realistic mental health issues
Fandom representation and fanfiction
Wow. Just wow.
The synopsis for this book was very short, precisely 9 lines. The synopsis made me expect to read a book much like paper towns where they go on an adventure, detective style and find the missing person. However, this book was something so much more than that. The main concept of the book I felt was actually about the mental health of the main character Aza. Aza has severe intrusive thoughts that take control of her life. Near to the end of the book a sudden and dramatic incident occurs and you're left unknowing what the outcome will be. Although I wish it never ended, John Green ends the book perfectly.
When a book has help line contact details in the authors notes, you know it's going to be a serious book.
It took me less than 24hours to finish this book, I physically couldn't put it down. John notes in the AN that it took 6 years to finish the book, I can completely understand why. Just wow
When a book has help line contact details in the authors notes, you know it's going to be a serious book.
It took me less than 24hours to finish this book, I physically couldn't put it down. John notes in the AN that it took 6 years to finish the book, I can completely understand why. Just wow
Midge (525 KP) rated Two Months and Three Days in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Erotic And Emotional
"Two Months and Three Days" is an unusual combination of a romance and a detective story. It is one of the best contemporary romance books that I have read in a while.
It is the first in a trilogy of books by Tatiana Vedenska that was originally published in Russian under the pen-name of Alisa Klever. A complete best-selling contemporary romance series in Russia, the trilogy very loosely adapts ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by E.L. James. For me, Tatiana Vedenska is in a league of her own with her individual style of writing, and steamy sex scenes!
This, the opening book of the #SinisterRomance series is a steamy, sensual and emotional read. It is a wonderful tale of a spoiled billionaire and an ordinary student that explores themes such as family bonds, experience and relationships, as well as happiness, belonging and naivety.
This English translation is nicely done and keeps the moments of humour and spicy sex scenes that make "Two Months and Three Days" such a fulfilling and enjoyable read.
{Thank you to NetGalley, LitHunters and Tatiana Vedenska for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
It is the first in a trilogy of books by Tatiana Vedenska that was originally published in Russian under the pen-name of Alisa Klever. A complete best-selling contemporary romance series in Russia, the trilogy very loosely adapts ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by E.L. James. For me, Tatiana Vedenska is in a league of her own with her individual style of writing, and steamy sex scenes!
This, the opening book of the #SinisterRomance series is a steamy, sensual and emotional read. It is a wonderful tale of a spoiled billionaire and an ordinary student that explores themes such as family bonds, experience and relationships, as well as happiness, belonging and naivety.
This English translation is nicely done and keeps the moments of humour and spicy sex scenes that make "Two Months and Three Days" such a fulfilling and enjoyable read.
{Thank you to NetGalley, LitHunters and Tatiana Vedenska for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Touch in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Detective Inspector Charlotte Savage is investigating rape cases where the women were drugged and then dumped. When one of those victims, a student, who was supposed to be headed back home, is found dead, the case starts to change. When a second body turns up much like the first, DI Savage is none too happy. Now another girl has been reported as missing. Can Savage find her before it's too late.
I read Touch because the author was doing a Q&A with our group here A Good Thriller. I usually enjoy these types of books, but there was something about this book that just made it not as good as I was expecting. I enjoyed the story line, but there were a lot of characters and that detracted from the story. I think I counted at least eight different detectives or police officers involved, not to mention crime scene investigators and coroners. Then there were the different suspects in the case and the person who did the crime. He gave each of his victims another name. So it was all a little confusing.
I read Touch because the author was doing a Q&A with our group here A Good Thriller. I usually enjoy these types of books, but there was something about this book that just made it not as good as I was expecting. I enjoyed the story line, but there were a lot of characters and that detracted from the story. I think I counted at least eight different detectives or police officers involved, not to mention crime scene investigators and coroners. Then there were the different suspects in the case and the person who did the crime. He gave each of his victims another name. So it was all a little confusing.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Their Little Secret in Books
May 22, 2019
She says she's an ordinary mother.
He knows a liar when he sees one.
Sarah thinks of herself as a normal single mum. It's what she wants others to think of her. But the truth is, she needs something new, something thrilling.
Meanwhile, DI Tom Thorne is investigating a woman's suicide, convinced she was driven to do it by a man who preys on vulnerable women.
A man who is about to change Sarah's life.
Their little secret is actually book 16 featuring Detective Tom Thorne,
This story begins with a suicide. A woman throws herself under a train because she was conned. Although this is not a murder, Thorne still feels the need to investigate. Those around him do not understand but go along with him. Consequently, they have DNA information that links to an actual murder.
This story is told from the viewpoint of two characters and it has loads of twists and turns.
Loved the plot and again so very well written.
I adore the character of Thorne and of course all the supporting ones that reappear.
Highly Recommend!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
He knows a liar when he sees one.
Sarah thinks of herself as a normal single mum. It's what she wants others to think of her. But the truth is, she needs something new, something thrilling.
Meanwhile, DI Tom Thorne is investigating a woman's suicide, convinced she was driven to do it by a man who preys on vulnerable women.
A man who is about to change Sarah's life.
Their little secret is actually book 16 featuring Detective Tom Thorne,
This story begins with a suicide. A woman throws herself under a train because she was conned. Although this is not a murder, Thorne still feels the need to investigate. Those around him do not understand but go along with him. Consequently, they have DNA information that links to an actual murder.
This story is told from the viewpoint of two characters and it has loads of twists and turns.
Loved the plot and again so very well written.
I adore the character of Thorne and of course all the supporting ones that reappear.
Highly Recommend!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.