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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated A Legacy of Murder in Books
Oct 9, 2019
Kate Finds a Christmastime Murder
Kate Hamilton has traveled to the small village of Long Barston in England. Her daughter, Christine, is spending her semester break working at Finchley Hall as one of several college aged interns who work on the premises, and Kate can visit Christine and her new friend Tom Mallory, a policeman she met in Scotland and is falling for, before heading back home to Ohio to spend Christmas with her mother. On her first day, Kate is taking a tour of Finchley Hall. The guide is talking about the murders that have taken place on the estate when a scream interrupts her. Kate and several others run to find one of the interns dead. The police are quick to label it murder. With Tom on the case, it is cutting into the time Kate thought they would have together. But she can’t help but worry. Is Christine in danger since she is an intern?
I’ve just teased the first couple of chapters, so things obviously get off to a fast start. However, the pace is uneven, especially early on in the story. I know part of that is me since Kate loves England much more than I do, and her wonder at spending time there didn’t translate to me. However, there is a good mystery here, with some decent twists and surprises. The climax is page turning and perfect logical. The characters are absolutely wonderful. We have a rather large cast, but I never had any issue keeping everyone and their relationship to the events unfolding around Kate straight. While the book is set in December, there is so much going on we don’t get lots of scenes directly related to Christmas, although I certainly enjoyed the references to the season we did see. This book isn’t quite as strong as the first one, but I’m glad I read it. This is a series that anyone who loves the British Isles needs to pick up today.
I’ve just teased the first couple of chapters, so things obviously get off to a fast start. However, the pace is uneven, especially early on in the story. I know part of that is me since Kate loves England much more than I do, and her wonder at spending time there didn’t translate to me. However, there is a good mystery here, with some decent twists and surprises. The climax is page turning and perfect logical. The characters are absolutely wonderful. We have a rather large cast, but I never had any issue keeping everyone and their relationship to the events unfolding around Kate straight. While the book is set in December, there is so much going on we don’t get lots of scenes directly related to Christmas, although I certainly enjoyed the references to the season we did see. This book isn’t quite as strong as the first one, but I’m glad I read it. This is a series that anyone who loves the British Isles needs to pick up today.
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Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1) in Books
Sep 13, 2017
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Ashley Valencia (5 KP) rated Christopher Robin (2018) in Movies
Mar 31, 2019
Surprisingly Good
I was very pleasantly surprised by this film. Disney's live action remakes have been pretty disappointing to me, in general. But this one was very well made. I think they did a great job incorporating the fantasy characters into the real life world of post war England.
Ewan McGregor plays a grown up Christopher Robin who most people will be able to relate to. He's trying to find balance between his work and home life and finds himself coming up short on both sides. He's stressed and has put aside childish things to focus on trying to be a competent adult.
Then he gets a visit from a few almost forgotten childhood friends and learns to loosen up a little and see things differently. It's a wonderfully told story and I was so glad that the original voice actor was brought back. It just wouldn't have been Winnie the Pooh without Jim Cummings.
Ewan McGregor plays a grown up Christopher Robin who most people will be able to relate to. He's trying to find balance between his work and home life and finds himself coming up short on both sides. He's stressed and has put aside childish things to focus on trying to be a competent adult.
Then he gets a visit from a few almost forgotten childhood friends and learns to loosen up a little and see things differently. It's a wonderfully told story and I was so glad that the original voice actor was brought back. It just wouldn't have been Winnie the Pooh without Jim Cummings.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated D.T.M. - Single by Hope Tala in Music
Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)
Hope Tala is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from West London, England. Not too long ago, she released a bittersweet contemporary R&B tune, entitled, “D.T.M.”.
‘D.T.M.’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who expresses to her ex-beau that she’s also hurting inside after their emotional breakup.
Apparently, not too long ago, the former lovebirds lost their loving way to prosperity. During their problematic journey, their bliss was destroyed and agony replaced their joy.
Even though their relationship ended on a bad note, the woman suggests that they can still remain friends.
‘D.T.M.’ contains a relatable storyline and dreamy vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses summery instrumentation flavored with acoustic guitar chords and a tropical R&B rhythm, almost like a Brazilian bossa nova shuffle.
‘D.T.M.’ is the second single released from Hope Tala’s upcoming sophomore EP.
Also, the first single from the anticipated project, “Lovestained”, has amassed over 600,000 streams online.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/hope-tala-d-t-m/
‘D.T.M.’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who expresses to her ex-beau that she’s also hurting inside after their emotional breakup.
Apparently, not too long ago, the former lovebirds lost their loving way to prosperity. During their problematic journey, their bliss was destroyed and agony replaced their joy.
Even though their relationship ended on a bad note, the woman suggests that they can still remain friends.
‘D.T.M.’ contains a relatable storyline and dreamy vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses summery instrumentation flavored with acoustic guitar chords and a tropical R&B rhythm, almost like a Brazilian bossa nova shuffle.
‘D.T.M.’ is the second single released from Hope Tala’s upcoming sophomore EP.
Also, the first single from the anticipated project, “Lovestained”, has amassed over 600,000 streams online.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/hope-tala-d-t-m/
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Murder In Steeple Martin in Books
Feb 7, 2018
Slow starter but soon pulls you in
This book starts a little slowly but very soon rewards those who stick with it and becomes one of the most engaging books I have read in a long time. Vaguely reminiscent of Agatha Raisin, in that the heroine is a dumpy middle-aged, neurotic woman who lives in deeply rural England with a cat. Yet this is by no means a rip-off.
Somewhat less manic than A.R., both series carry on an old and well-established style of British Mystery writing. That said, it is clear that Lesley Cookman has gone out of her way to break some of the rules. For example there is only -shock, horror!- *one* murder in her book;her characters have no access to the Police enquiry, so are working completly in the dark; and as much as she can she has avoided having characters do obviously stupid things.
This is not an earth-shattering book, but it is a thoroughly good read.
Somewhat less manic than A.R., both series carry on an old and well-established style of British Mystery writing. That said, it is clear that Lesley Cookman has gone out of her way to break some of the rules. For example there is only -shock, horror!- *one* murder in her book;her characters have no access to the Police enquiry, so are working completly in the dark; and as much as she can she has avoided having characters do obviously stupid things.
This is not an earth-shattering book, but it is a thoroughly good read.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Murder on the Orient Express in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Poirot is called back to England, he must forgo a planned layover in Istanbul and find a berth on a surprisingly crowded train. A freak snow storm strands the train on the tracks, and that night a murder takes place. The victim had come to Poirot because he feared that his life was in danger. With the train stuck, the killer is still on board. But who could it be?
I had not read this book before, but I still knew the ending. Even knowing that, I was enthralled watching how it all played out. There is a reason that Agatha Christie is considered the queen of plots to this day. I also found the characters strong enough that I could keep them all straight, and there are plenty of suspects.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-murder-on-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I had not read this book before, but I still knew the ending. Even knowing that, I was enthralled watching how it all played out. There is a reason that Agatha Christie is considered the queen of plots to this day. I also found the characters strong enough that I could keep them all straight, and there are plenty of suspects.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-murder-on-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.