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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated Deadly Director’s Cut in Books
Oct 3, 2022 (Updated Oct 3, 2022)
The Director Is Cut Out of the Picture
Hollywood has come to Haggerman’s Catskills Resort as famed director Elias Theropodous has decided to use it for some of the outdoor scenes for his new movie. Elizabeth Grady, the resort’s manager, is thrilled with the money, but not the disruptions to life at the resort, especially with Elias’s demands. However, when he dies after a night of eating and drinking at the resort, Elizabeth quickly realizes she has to find the killer in order to save the resort’s reputation. Can she do it?
Hollywood coming to town is a familiar trope, especially in cozies, but authors continue to use it because it works. That’s certainly the case here. The plot kept me engaged, sometimes reading a little later than I had planned, and I loved how the climax played out, although there is a minor continuity error with the climax. It doesn’t impact who the killer is. I also appreciated how the sub-plots some of the regulars had tie in with this main story yet also felt like natural continuations of their arcs from the first book. Naturally, the new characters are strong as well. I enjoyed the setting; I was ready to book a vacation at the resort myself. I also appreciated the way the 1950’s setting came to life, with little bits of everyday life infusing every page. If you are looking for a fun historical cozy, look no further than this book.
Hollywood coming to town is a familiar trope, especially in cozies, but authors continue to use it because it works. That’s certainly the case here. The plot kept me engaged, sometimes reading a little later than I had planned, and I loved how the climax played out, although there is a minor continuity error with the climax. It doesn’t impact who the killer is. I also appreciated how the sub-plots some of the regulars had tie in with this main story yet also felt like natural continuations of their arcs from the first book. Naturally, the new characters are strong as well. I enjoyed the setting; I was ready to book a vacation at the resort myself. I also appreciated the way the 1950’s setting came to life, with little bits of everyday life infusing every page. If you are looking for a fun historical cozy, look no further than this book.
The Lady of Misrule
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I saw her file it away: a good Catholic girl come to supervise her in her detention. Every girl in...
What Love E'er Meant (Regina #2)
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A new queen must prove she deserves the throne God gave her, while the path everyone insists will...
Historical Fiction Biographical Fiction Tudors Elizabeth I Series
David McK (3883 KP) rated Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens in Books
Sep 29, 2024 (Updated Sep 29, 2024)
David Mitchell, the comedian.
NOT David Mitchell, the author of "Cloud Atlas" (never read it).
I know the comedian best from his involvement in various TV panel gameshows, most noticeably BBCs "Would I Lie To You?", as well as as from the sitcom "Upstart Crow", where he plays William Shakespeare.
In all cases, his persona is of an uptight, repressed, middle aged man.
So I had a good idea what to expect of this, especially as I knew the audiobook was narrated by none other then he himself - indeed, the only reason I picked up the ebook version over the audiobook version is simply because the ebook was on sale (plus I find I can read faster than I listen).
Billed as 'Horrible Histories for Grownups' (as an aside, anyone remember the Horrible Histories with the links by Stephen Fry?), this is actually both quite entertaining and educational, with Mitchell taking it chapter about to tell the story of England's various Kings and Queens, from their earliest days and right up until the reign of Elizabeth I.
OK, the humour may be a bit, ummm, ribald (and sweary) in certain places, but if you go in knowing what to expect (as I did) ...
NOT David Mitchell, the author of "Cloud Atlas" (never read it).
I know the comedian best from his involvement in various TV panel gameshows, most noticeably BBCs "Would I Lie To You?", as well as as from the sitcom "Upstart Crow", where he plays William Shakespeare.
In all cases, his persona is of an uptight, repressed, middle aged man.
So I had a good idea what to expect of this, especially as I knew the audiobook was narrated by none other then he himself - indeed, the only reason I picked up the ebook version over the audiobook version is simply because the ebook was on sale (plus I find I can read faster than I listen).
Billed as 'Horrible Histories for Grownups' (as an aside, anyone remember the Horrible Histories with the links by Stephen Fry?), this is actually both quite entertaining and educational, with Mitchell taking it chapter about to tell the story of England's various Kings and Queens, from their earliest days and right up until the reign of Elizabeth I.
OK, the humour may be a bit, ummm, ribald (and sweary) in certain places, but if you go in knowing what to expect (as I did) ...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated City of Scoundrels in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Saving a War Widow from Scoundrels
It’s the fall of 1918, and the draft age for World War I has been increased, upsetting Elizabeth Miles since her fiance, Gideon Bates, has been drafted. Gideon is focusing his last few weeks as a civilian on drafting wills for soldiers. Most of them are, but one of the exceptions is Tom Preston, part owner of Preston Shoes, which has made a fortune providing shoes to the soldiers. Tom wants a new will leaving his share of the family business to his new wife and their unborn child – a wife the rest of his family knows nothing about. When word comes back that Tom has died, this new will goes missing, and his family doesn’t want to acknowledge his widow. Elizabeth is quick to jump in, getting her family, all conmen, to come up with a scheme to get this war widow the money she should have inherited. But what complications might there be along the way?
Yes, there are complications. We wouldn’t have much of a novel without them. It would have been nice if they are started a little sooner, but that’s a minor complaint. I was hooked the entire time, and it only became harder to put the book down the further I got into it. History came alive, and I felt like I was part of what was happening in the New York City area during this time. It helps that the characters are extremely strong. Through them, I came to care about the plot and the history that was unfolding around us. Yes, I felt that welcomed into the world that I was actually part of what was happening on the page. If you aren’t taking these trips back in time, you need to do so today.
Yes, there are complications. We wouldn’t have much of a novel without them. It would have been nice if they are started a little sooner, but that’s a minor complaint. I was hooked the entire time, and it only became harder to put the book down the further I got into it. History came alive, and I felt like I was part of what was happening in the New York City area during this time. It helps that the characters are extremely strong. Through them, I came to care about the plot and the history that was unfolding around us. Yes, I felt that welcomed into the world that I was actually part of what was happening on the page. If you aren’t taking these trips back in time, you need to do so today.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Home Safe in Books
Sep 3, 2018
I usually love Elizabeth Berg's novels but this one was hard to get through. It was boring and I could not find any empathy for the protagonist from the beginning to the end. The protagonist claims to have more than a little crush on Donald Trump, so that might be part of the reason I couldn't like her. She didn't have much of a personality and seemed to be constantly searching for a life that never happened. Her interchanges with other characters were unpleasant at best. The only redeeming quality of this book was that it offered a few ideas for creative writing when she suggested topics and writing exercises for a class she was teaching. Other than that, it was a very dissatisfying read.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Charlotte Walsh Likes To Win in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. I found it to be timely, relevant, and insightful. It was all well researched and I think most women can relate to Charlotte as a woman juggling family and career and life while trying to keep it all from falling apart.
It also brings to the forefront the very real differences faced by women who enter the political arena, from the focus on their attire to questions about their family and kids, that men aren't subjected to.
Overall, Jo Piazza nailed it yet again with Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys political fiction!
**Many thanks to Elizabeth Breeden and Simon & Schuster, as well as NetGalley, for the digital ARC!! All opinions are my own.**
It also brings to the forefront the very real differences faced by women who enter the political arena, from the focus on their attire to questions about their family and kids, that men aren't subjected to.
Overall, Jo Piazza nailed it yet again with Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys political fiction!
**Many thanks to Elizabeth Breeden and Simon & Schuster, as well as NetGalley, for the digital ARC!! All opinions are my own.**
saheffernan (157 KP) rated City of Girls in Books
Apr 11, 2020
This book starts with 19 year old Vivan writing to women about how she came to know and what she possibly was to this womens father. It takes us on her journey of 1940s New York through the war and after how the world changed. Vivian does focus a lot on Vivian but the story is hers to tell, and she isn't shy about her faults. I loved her and I have to say there were things she did, said and felt that I feel came directly out of me. Elizabeth Gilbert worte a beautiful story that took at times a slow pace but still felt as though my time was valuable in experiencing the whole story. Now were are my pearls and a good cocktail ...
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Don’t Make Me Laugh in Books
Nov 23, 2025
Don’t Make Me laugh is a slow burn with a most satisfying ending, narrated really well by Elizabeth Bower. I could imagine her as Ali.
We’ve heard a lot of talk recently of unnamed predators on the comedy circuit, and this is the story of one such man.
Ali thinks she has found the right man to co-present a radio show: comedian Ed. He’s funny, he’s nice - and actually he’s none of these things. He’s not at all what he seems to be, in fact.
Ali’s experience seemed all to plausible, and I very much enjoyed the way that she and the organisation called Scolds Bridle outed Ed’s behaviour. It was well worth the wait.
I did wonder who Ed could be modelled on…
We’ve heard a lot of talk recently of unnamed predators on the comedy circuit, and this is the story of one such man.
Ali thinks she has found the right man to co-present a radio show: comedian Ed. He’s funny, he’s nice - and actually he’s none of these things. He’s not at all what he seems to be, in fact.
Ali’s experience seemed all to plausible, and I very much enjoyed the way that she and the organisation called Scolds Bridle outed Ed’s behaviour. It was well worth the wait.
I did wonder who Ed could be modelled on…
Kirsten Myra Edwards (303 KP) rated Elizabeth is Missing in Books
Feb 2, 2020
Love love
Contains spoilers, click to show
I found this book fascinating throughout. The story line kept you gripped. You really feel for Maud throughout the book as she is really trying to fix all the pieces together from her past and present. The past story with Sukey has a predicable outcome but you never find out how it all happened. That's the only bit I felt could be predicted but the present story line with Elizabeth varies right to the last minute.
You really feel for Maud at the end because she has helped solve the mystery of her missing sister due to her memory she is unaware she finally has the answers she has been looking for.
Overall I loved the book. But I have so many different questions but we will stay as blissfully unaware as Maud is at the end of the book.
You really feel for Maud at the end because she has helped solve the mystery of her missing sister due to her memory she is unaware she finally has the answers she has been looking for.
Overall I loved the book. But I have so many different questions but we will stay as blissfully unaware as Maud is at the end of the book.