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The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl
6.7
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"Maybe the earth will continue to spin, and the stars won't implode for a bazillion more years, but...
Before there were Stars
Tabletop Game
Since ancient times, the twinkling of the heavens inspired people across the globe to create stories...
BoardGames StoryGames 2018Games
Benjamin's Parasite
8.0
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At any given moment, the human body contains millions of parasites. This is the story of just one. A...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2570 KP) rated Requiem for a Mouse in Books
Jun 26, 2024
Is Tara Hiding a Secret? Or Just Hiding?
After the Athena College receives a large collection of rare books, Charlie Harris hires an assistant to help him catalogue them in a timely manner. Tara Martin keeps to herself; in fact, she’s almost antisocial. Charlie begins to think there is something more to it after she ducks out of a party with hardly any excuse. Then someone runs her down. Can Charlie figure out what is going on?
The plot of this book is fine. Charlie’s investigation makes since given his job at the college archives, and he keeps encountering the suspects and gaining more insight from them. One thing was left dangling from an otherwise logical climax. However, there are several things that needed a good edit to resolve, including timeline issues among others. The saving grace is the characters. All the regulars, both human and animal, are present and their normal charming shelves. I do enjoy spending time with them. Fans will feel the same way, but if you are new to the series, don’t jump in here.
The plot of this book is fine. Charlie’s investigation makes since given his job at the college archives, and he keeps encountering the suspects and gaining more insight from them. One thing was left dangling from an otherwise logical climax. However, there are several things that needed a good edit to resolve, including timeline issues among others. The saving grace is the characters. All the regulars, both human and animal, are present and their normal charming shelves. I do enjoy spending time with them. Fans will feel the same way, but if you are new to the series, don’t jump in here.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2570 KP) rated Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Books
Aug 27, 2025
Finding Danger at a Pop Up Carnival
Best friends James Lessor and Skip Moore are spending the weekend at a traveling carnival so that James can get a feel for it in his new job as their marketing director. Then the owner asks them to put their new PI license to use finding out who is sabotaging the rides. There have been injuries and one death due to these accidents. Will the two get the help from the carnies they need to solve things?
My love/hate relationship with this series continues. I do like the characters and want to see them succeed. But I also wish they were a little smarter and that Skip would stand up for himself. The mystery was good, but the ending could have been stronger. The suspects were interesting. Do keep in mind that these books aren’t cozies and are just old enough for the technology to be dated. I’m hoping some growth we saw here carries over to further books, but I’ll find out when I get to the next book.
My love/hate relationship with this series continues. I do like the characters and want to see them succeed. But I also wish they were a little smarter and that Skip would stand up for himself. The mystery was good, but the ending could have been stronger. The suspects were interesting. Do keep in mind that these books aren’t cozies and are just old enough for the technology to be dated. I’m hoping some growth we saw here carries over to further books, but I’ll find out when I get to the next book.
David McK (3801 KP) rated Batman the Killing Joke in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 26, 2025)
So, [b:The Killing Joke|96358|Batman The Killing Joke|Alan Moore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346331835s/96358.jpg|551787].
Commonly cited as one the best Batman stories (after [b:The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns|Frank Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159]), The Killing Joke is, in reality, an origin story.
However, rather than being the origin story of a Superhero, this takes the somewhat unusual idea of being that of a villain instead: in this case, how did the most Notorious (and deadly) of Batman's foes - The Joker - come to be how he is?
This also draws parallels between The Joker and Batman himself, depicting them each as, if you will, two sides of the same coin - both have had a very bad day, but each have reacted to it differently (or have they?).
Personally, I feel that the origins of The Joker would have been better left to mystery rather than detailed as in this story; however, that's not denying that this is a good (if short) read in its own right.
Commonly cited as one the best Batman stories (after [b:The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns|Frank Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159]), The Killing Joke is, in reality, an origin story.
However, rather than being the origin story of a Superhero, this takes the somewhat unusual idea of being that of a villain instead: in this case, how did the most Notorious (and deadly) of Batman's foes - The Joker - come to be how he is?
This also draws parallels between The Joker and Batman himself, depicting them each as, if you will, two sides of the same coin - both have had a very bad day, but each have reacted to it differently (or have they?).
Personally, I feel that the origins of The Joker would have been better left to mystery rather than detailed as in this story; however, that's not denying that this is a good (if short) read in its own right.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Maggots Screaming in Books
May 25, 2024
104 of 220
Booksirens Arc
Maggots Screaming
By Max Booth III
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
THE FAMILY THAT DECAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER
On a hot summer weekend in San Antonio, Texas, a father and son bond after discovering three impossible corpses buried in their back yard.
This book had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it, to the point I’ve talked my husband into reading it and he doesn’t read. I’ve given it the full 5 stars simply because my god this had me never wanting to dig up the garden and to never watch the Simpsons again in the same way. The writing was so good it had my skin itching and crawling, I now have a new phobia decomposing while alive. It’s super graphic but put in a way that you actually feel it happening to this family. So entertaining but don’t read while eating or if you have a weak stomach!!
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Booksirens Arc
Maggots Screaming
By Max Booth III
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
THE FAMILY THAT DECAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER
On a hot summer weekend in San Antonio, Texas, a father and son bond after discovering three impossible corpses buried in their back yard.
This book had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it, to the point I’ve talked my husband into reading it and he doesn’t read. I’ve given it the full 5 stars simply because my god this had me never wanting to dig up the garden and to never watch the Simpsons again in the same way. The writing was so good it had my skin itching and crawling, I now have a new phobia decomposing while alive. It’s super graphic but put in a way that you actually feel it happening to this family. So entertaining but don’t read while eating or if you have a weak stomach!!
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you really want to know how I feel about Ragwort, just to say that I requested it on NetGalley, then immediately pre-ordered it on Kindle so that not only did I guarantee myself a copy, but the publisher also sent me cut scenes from the previous book, Gorse.
Totally worth it.
This is as jam packed with Cornish folk and magic as Gorse was, and after the disaster at the end of Gorse, the inhabitants of Mirecoombe are looking for something to believe in: the Old Ways, the Church…or the new name in town. The Mother. Just who is she anyway?
Th new Vicar is wonderful (let’s just say he’s open minded), Nancy is still learning the ropes as Keeper and missing Pet terribly. And then there’s the arrival of Nancy’s grandmother - and everything that comes after.
I’m being vague, and for good reason. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for the final book in this series (if that’s what it’s going to be!!).
Totally worth it.
This is as jam packed with Cornish folk and magic as Gorse was, and after the disaster at the end of Gorse, the inhabitants of Mirecoombe are looking for something to believe in: the Old Ways, the Church…or the new name in town. The Mother. Just who is she anyway?
Th new Vicar is wonderful (let’s just say he’s open minded), Nancy is still learning the ropes as Keeper and missing Pet terribly. And then there’s the arrival of Nancy’s grandmother - and everything that comes after.
I’m being vague, and for good reason. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for the final book in this series (if that’s what it’s going to be!!).
ClareR (6230 KP) rated Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly in Books
Mar 16, 2025
Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly by Joanna Glen is a slow burn love story - and one like I’ve never read before. Ok, so I’m not a huge romance reader, so I’m no expert, but I loved the way that this story was in no rush to throw Addie and Sol together. Addie wants to learn how to be independent, away from her small island life and here controlling mother. She wants to find what she’s good at.
Sol, on the other hand, just doesn’t know how to tell Addie that he really cares. In fact, I think he’s scared of rejection. Something both of them fear after difficult childhoods.
They’re both awkward, sweet young people, both scared of letting the other know how they feel. I felt as though I was reading a fairy tale, the third person narrative helping this along, and I adore a fairy tale.
I just loved how this story unfolded - something that Joanna Glen does so well - and how Sol and Addie learned to let go of their inhibitions and hold on to one another. It’s a beautiful story.
Sol, on the other hand, just doesn’t know how to tell Addie that he really cares. In fact, I think he’s scared of rejection. Something both of them fear after difficult childhoods.
They’re both awkward, sweet young people, both scared of letting the other know how they feel. I felt as though I was reading a fairy tale, the third person narrative helping this along, and I adore a fairy tale.
I just loved how this story unfolded - something that Joanna Glen does so well - and how Sol and Addie learned to let go of their inhibitions and hold on to one another. It’s a beautiful story.
Merissa (14009 KP) rated Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
This is a slow burner with a build-up towards the main part of the story. There are parts of this story that aren't nice to read about but you do have to read all parts to fully understand the mindset of the serial killer. Trust me, you will feel really sorry for those girls, even knowing that it's not real and there is nothing you could do anyway.
This is very well written and put together and will leave you wanting more. The love build-up is slow and steady, although the lust is instantaneous, which makes a nice change in this era of insta-love.
For a book on the darker side of romance suspense but with added dashes of humour and deep friendships then definitely give this one a go! Recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 26, 2016
This is very well written and put together and will leave you wanting more. The love build-up is slow and steady, although the lust is instantaneous, which makes a nice change in this era of insta-love.
For a book on the darker side of romance suspense but with added dashes of humour and deep friendships then definitely give this one a go! Recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 26, 2016