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This collection of 13 short stories finds Phryne solving several murders as well as a few other crimes. Set in Australia in 1928, Phryne is a strong woman with lots of intelligence to solve some pretty strange puzzles.
This was my introduction to the character, and I do feel I missed some things not know more about her background and the rest of the obviously recurring characters. However, I did enjoy the stories since they provided good puzzles. Phryne is a really smart detective, and the trip back in time was fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-question-of-death.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was my introduction to the character, and I do feel I missed some things not know more about her background and the rest of the obviously recurring characters. However, I did enjoy the stories since they provided good puzzles. Phryne is a really smart detective, and the trip back in time was fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-question-of-death.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
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Ross (3284 KP) rated Sword of Destiny in Books
Jul 26, 2018
This is a largely well-written set of Witcher short stories, which start to piece together some of the stories in the Last Wish with the main books (which I have yet to read!).
While this time there is no over-arching story linking them together this is to the book's credit. I got annoyed with the Last Wish/Season of Storms's clumsy attempt to sew together a number of different stories - like those old episodes of a sitcom that was just a hashing together of different flashbacks. Though it does mean you could struggle with the chronology, but I think assuming the stories are after the Season of Storms is a safe bet.
All of the stories are reasonably exciting, but Sapkowski does have a tendency to start these stories with the Witcher's triumph over another creature, and focus on the aftermath - sometimes you long for the thrill of the preceding hunt.
The final story, which I feel is the main link into the first book, includes a number of sections where the Witcher is hallucinating. The segue between these isn't always clear, and while this adds to the atmosphere and feel of the Witcher being drugged, it does leave you a little confused at times (though this passes briefly).
A good set of stories and a decent translation with few clunky parts.
I would recommend these are read after the main books (i.e. in published order) - while I haven't read those, I have probably taken some characters/stories for granted and not appreciated how they feed in to the overall canon of Witcher works (without googling for spoilers).
While this time there is no over-arching story linking them together this is to the book's credit. I got annoyed with the Last Wish/Season of Storms's clumsy attempt to sew together a number of different stories - like those old episodes of a sitcom that was just a hashing together of different flashbacks. Though it does mean you could struggle with the chronology, but I think assuming the stories are after the Season of Storms is a safe bet.
All of the stories are reasonably exciting, but Sapkowski does have a tendency to start these stories with the Witcher's triumph over another creature, and focus on the aftermath - sometimes you long for the thrill of the preceding hunt.
The final story, which I feel is the main link into the first book, includes a number of sections where the Witcher is hallucinating. The segue between these isn't always clear, and while this adds to the atmosphere and feel of the Witcher being drugged, it does leave you a little confused at times (though this passes briefly).
A good set of stories and a decent translation with few clunky parts.
I would recommend these are read after the main books (i.e. in published order) - while I haven't read those, I have probably taken some characters/stories for granted and not appreciated how they feed in to the overall canon of Witcher works (without googling for spoilers).
Kelly MacDonald recommended A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories in Books (curated)
Dean (6926 KP) rated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) in Movies
Apr 18, 2020
Ok scary tales film
I missed this at the cinema and caught on Amazon prime last night. I thought it was going to be an anthology of scary stories. It's more of a few mini tales set within the main plot of the whole film. I enjoyed it and at times it felt a bit like @Creepshow (1982) or @Trick 'r Treat (2007) The overall feel of the film was similar to a Stephen King short story. Only downside it isn't that scary, maybe why it got a PG-13 rating in the US. If you like ghost stories check it out but it won't give you sleepless nights.
Amethyst Rose Atkinson (6 KP) rated Triple Frontier (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2019
Cast (2 more)
Story
Action and adventure
Pace of story (1 more)
Wasn't the strongest of stories that are like this
Good but had it's down sides
The film was adequate to what other films are out there in this general style, I loved the cast and the filming was good. However the film took a while to kick in and i found myself gorming at my phone more so than watching the film. I really enjoyed some of the story and the action scenes were okay, they could have done a lot more with the film, I feel as though it wasnt thought through as much as it could have been, but overall is a good thing to watch casually if you have the time, or even put it on in the background while you're doing something else.
Kym Penny (24 KP) rated The Care and Feeding of Griffins in Books
Jul 28, 2017
Story flows really well (2 more)
Stories within stories within stories
Each character is unique and relatable; each has a distinct voice
Book one is a great start to a wonderful, well orchestrated 4 part series
The book blurb says it all. Great adventure read. This is part of a series and although there are no cliffhangers, it still gives that 'what happens next' feel. Also, as a side note, for those of you that distaste book sets, this series seems more like one big book that has been broken up rather than several shorter novels with lot of filler chapters to extend the length like some 3 or 4 part series seem to do. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're me) all 4 books equals approximately 2,530 pages. And still, I was sad when it all ended... so I read the series twice (so far). It's that good.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The 1959 Yellowstone Earthquake in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I always like a good disaster book. This one really caught my eye because it is the event described in The Miseducation of Camron Post so I wanted to learn more. Unlike some disaster books written from a purely scienticfic perspective this book focused on the human element. This is really what interests me since you see the true nature of humanity during tragedy. The way the author follows the various peoples stories and intertwines them when necessary makes you feel like you are there and seeing the events happen.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Stories To Make You Smile in Books
Mar 19, 2022
Such a lovely book of short stories! Each one had a feel good factor and I found myself either stifling a giggle or smiling by the end of them.
I haven’t read anything by any of the authors except for Katie Fforde but this book has definitely made me rethink that. Every single author had me absorbed in their few pages of story within the first couple of lines.
I would recommend this as a short read for anybody who wants to read something that will make them smile. It is also one that can be picked up and put back down easily with them being such short stories.
This book does exactly what it says on the cover… makes you smile!
I haven’t read anything by any of the authors except for Katie Fforde but this book has definitely made me rethink that. Every single author had me absorbed in their few pages of story within the first couple of lines.
I would recommend this as a short read for anybody who wants to read something that will make them smile. It is also one that can be picked up and put back down easily with them being such short stories.
This book does exactly what it says on the cover… makes you smile!
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Snuggle with the Shadows: 8 Strange Stories (The Snuggle Series #2) in Books
Aug 5, 2021
After loving the first book in The Snuggle Series, I was really looking forward to reading Snuggle with the Shadows by Liane Carter. Just like with the first book in the series, I was not left disappointed.
I found Snuggle with the Shadows to be a little different than Snuggle with the Strange (the first book in the series). In this book, there were a couple of feel good stories unlike the first book in the series. Even though there were some supernatural/paranormal stories, those elements weren't as present in Snuggle with the Shadows. That wasn't a bad thing though! Although the pacing was slower for some stories in this book, I still found myself not wanting to put this book down. The world building was still done fantastically, and I found myself instantly transported to the setting of each story. There were even some plot twists in many of the stories. Even though there are no real cliff hangers with each story, some are open to speculation such as Raisha's Reason. I loved that The Tragedy of the Tides and I was Bought at a Garage Sale were feel good stories which changed up the tone of the series a little. My favorite stories in Snuggle with the Shadows were I was Bought at a Garage Sale and A Bump in the Night. Both of these stories really held my attention, and I was enthralled throughout trying to figure out what would happen. Just like with the first book in the series, Snuggle with the Shadows has a mixture of realistic stories as well as paranormal/supernatural stories.
Liane Carter kills it again with how great her characters are! They are all well written and feel like they could actually be real life people instead of a character in a book. I had no problems picturing each and every character in my mind. I actually found myself wanting to be friends with some of the characters in Snuggle with the Shadows.
Snuggle with the Shadows is a dark adult horror book, so there are quite a few heavy triggers. These include mentions of drug use, profanity, sexual comments, sexual situations, human (child) trafficking, implied child rape and molestation, death, murder, mentions of suicide, and gun violence.
All in all, Snuggle with the Shadows is an interesting read full of entertaining characters and plots. I really believe all horror lovers (and even non-horror lovers) will enjoy all the stories in this book. I would definitely recommend Snuggle with the Shadows by Liane Carter to those aged 16+ who like all sub-genres of horror. This book will not disappoint!
--
(A special thank you to Liane Carter and Lola's Blog Tours for providing me with a paperback of Snuggle with the Shadows: 8 Strange Stories in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
I found Snuggle with the Shadows to be a little different than Snuggle with the Strange (the first book in the series). In this book, there were a couple of feel good stories unlike the first book in the series. Even though there were some supernatural/paranormal stories, those elements weren't as present in Snuggle with the Shadows. That wasn't a bad thing though! Although the pacing was slower for some stories in this book, I still found myself not wanting to put this book down. The world building was still done fantastically, and I found myself instantly transported to the setting of each story. There were even some plot twists in many of the stories. Even though there are no real cliff hangers with each story, some are open to speculation such as Raisha's Reason. I loved that The Tragedy of the Tides and I was Bought at a Garage Sale were feel good stories which changed up the tone of the series a little. My favorite stories in Snuggle with the Shadows were I was Bought at a Garage Sale and A Bump in the Night. Both of these stories really held my attention, and I was enthralled throughout trying to figure out what would happen. Just like with the first book in the series, Snuggle with the Shadows has a mixture of realistic stories as well as paranormal/supernatural stories.
Liane Carter kills it again with how great her characters are! They are all well written and feel like they could actually be real life people instead of a character in a book. I had no problems picturing each and every character in my mind. I actually found myself wanting to be friends with some of the characters in Snuggle with the Shadows.
Snuggle with the Shadows is a dark adult horror book, so there are quite a few heavy triggers. These include mentions of drug use, profanity, sexual comments, sexual situations, human (child) trafficking, implied child rape and molestation, death, murder, mentions of suicide, and gun violence.
All in all, Snuggle with the Shadows is an interesting read full of entertaining characters and plots. I really believe all horror lovers (and even non-horror lovers) will enjoy all the stories in this book. I would definitely recommend Snuggle with the Shadows by Liane Carter to those aged 16+ who like all sub-genres of horror. This book will not disappoint!
--
(A special thank you to Liane Carter and Lola's Blog Tours for providing me with a paperback of Snuggle with the Shadows: 8 Strange Stories in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)