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Farewell, My Lovely
Raymond Chandler and Colin Dexter
Book
Farewell, My Lovely is a classic novel by Raymond Chandler, the master of hard-boiled crime. Eight...
Bruce Lee JKD HD
Sports and Health & Fitness
App
Become an instant Bruce Lee insider, using Bruce Lee JDK app as your gateway to The Dragon. Bruce...
Neanderthal Marries Human
10.0
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Book
There are three things you should know about Quinn Sullivan: 1) He is madly in love with Janie...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Murder on the Home Front in Books
May 4, 2023
Body in the Air Raid Shelter
Billie Harkness has been on the job as one of only two female constables in the Hull police force for a few weeks now. In that time, neither her co-workers nor the public have come to accept her any more then when she first started. One of her true allies has been Peter Upton, a fellow constable who has been training her. When the two of them find a dead body in an air raid shelter, Billie discovers some details that don’t make any sense. Can they use those to figure out what happened to the victim?
It was great to be back in summer 1940 with Billie and Peter. While most of the book is written from Billie’s third person point of view, we get some scenes from Peter’s, and they help flesh out the characters and plot wonderfully. I was hooked the entire way through the story, although I did wonder where it was going a bit at first. Once the body turned up, things were full speed ahead until we reached the end. There is a strong sub-plot that is unfortunately too real and should not have been acceptable then or now. I appreciated how it was handled. The overall mystery is something that could only be told in England during World War II, and it helped bring details of that time in history to life for me. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you need to pick it up.
It was great to be back in summer 1940 with Billie and Peter. While most of the book is written from Billie’s third person point of view, we get some scenes from Peter’s, and they help flesh out the characters and plot wonderfully. I was hooked the entire way through the story, although I did wonder where it was going a bit at first. Once the body turned up, things were full speed ahead until we reached the end. There is a strong sub-plot that is unfortunately too real and should not have been acceptable then or now. I appreciated how it was handled. The overall mystery is something that could only be told in England during World War II, and it helped bring details of that time in history to life for me. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you need to pick it up.
The Patient
7.0
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Book
The Silent Patient by way of Stephen King: Parker, a young, overconfident psychiatrist new to his...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Six Feet Deep Dish in Books
Dec 14, 2023 (Updated Dec 14, 2023)
Delilah Finds Some Deep Trouble at Her Opening
Delilah O’Leary is delighted to be opening her new deep dish pizza restaurant in the resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. However, the day of her soft opening/grand opening party doesn’t go well. First, she gets into a fight with her fiancé, who is financing everything, and he storms out. Then, in the middle of the party, she sees her aunt standing over a dead body holding the murder weapon; a weapon she admits is hers. With the official opening on hold, can Delilah figure out what is really going on?
I’ll admit the first chapter had me a bit worried, giving us lots of background on the characters. But the data dumps didn’t last for long, and we soon had a great mystery on our hands. The plot had plenty of twists and didn’t fall into a familiar plot pattern, something the author pulled off well. The climax answered all my questions. Delilah might have been an annoying character in less capable hands, but I really liked her right off, and that only grew as I got further into the book. The rest of the regulars are great, and I already love the community that Delilah is building. The setting is charming, and I wish I could visit in person. All the talk about pizza made me crave it. If that’s you, too, you’ll be happy with the recipes at the end. This debut left me hungry for the next course.
I’ll admit the first chapter had me a bit worried, giving us lots of background on the characters. But the data dumps didn’t last for long, and we soon had a great mystery on our hands. The plot had plenty of twists and didn’t fall into a familiar plot pattern, something the author pulled off well. The climax answered all my questions. Delilah might have been an annoying character in less capable hands, but I really liked her right off, and that only grew as I got further into the book. The rest of the regulars are great, and I already love the community that Delilah is building. The setting is charming, and I wish I could visit in person. All the talk about pizza made me crave it. If that’s you, too, you’ll be happy with the recipes at the end. This debut left me hungry for the next course.
Merissa (13816 KP) rated Dreams Never Seen (Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master #3) in Books
Oct 31, 2023
DREAMS NEVER SEEN is the third novella in the Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master series. It does follow on from the previous two, so I would definitely recommend you read those first.
Markus is back in town, and this time, Bella is there for him. This time, it's Lunah who throws the first spanner in the works, simply by being too enthusiastic. That aside, Markus and Bella are both looking forward to being together, making their home their own, and deepening the bond that has forged between them. And here comes the second (and biggest) spanner.
Instead of being at home, Markus, Bella, and Lunah travel to a new land, Thanzia, to find a missing archaeologist. They are interrupted at every turn, whether by a person, a circumstance, or even by travel. They make time though, and phew, it's a hot one!
The story regarding the archaeologist is a sad one, but I loved where it led. The discoveries were wonderful, and I could imagine how others would see them.
As with the previous books in this series, it was over too soon and has definitely left me wanting more. I can't wait to see where they go and what happens next. Brilliant reading and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 29, 2023
Markus is back in town, and this time, Bella is there for him. This time, it's Lunah who throws the first spanner in the works, simply by being too enthusiastic. That aside, Markus and Bella are both looking forward to being together, making their home their own, and deepening the bond that has forged between them. And here comes the second (and biggest) spanner.
Instead of being at home, Markus, Bella, and Lunah travel to a new land, Thanzia, to find a missing archaeologist. They are interrupted at every turn, whether by a person, a circumstance, or even by travel. They make time though, and phew, it's a hot one!
The story regarding the archaeologist is a sad one, but I loved where it led. The discoveries were wonderful, and I could imagine how others would see them.
As with the previous books in this series, it was over too soon and has definitely left me wanting more. I can't wait to see where they go and what happens next. Brilliant reading and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 29, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated The Drowning Sea in Books
Jun 23, 2022
Maggie’s Still Finding Mysteries
After quitting her job, Maggie D’Arcy is spending her summer in Ireland with her daughter, her boyfriend, Conor, and his son, as they get serious about Maggie and her daughter moving to Ireland. They’ve rented a cottage on a West Cork peninsula, but their vacation hits a snag when the body of a young man who disappeared months ago washes ashore. Even though Maggie isn’t a cop, she can’t help but ask questions. Where has he been for the last few months? Who would want him dead? Can Maggie find the answers even without her badge?
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
Debbiereadsbook (1672 KP) rated Sweat Connection (Hot Under the Collar #1) in Books
Aug 8, 2023
Quite possibly McIntyre's best work to date!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
It's so well written, from both Rhys and Cole's POV, in the first person, each chapter headers the change.
It's steamy and smexy (sooooooooooooooooooo smexy!) It's deeply emotional, for both Rhys and Cole and that surprised me, don't ask me why, cos I've no freaking idea! I just expected this to be a light and fluffy book. And it is, but with a heavy side of emotions.
It's sweet and cute, it's so freaking cute. Full of the warm and fuzzies that low/no angst books carry. Full of emotion and love.
Rhys is in a dark place when he comes into contact with Cole, and after that, it's just two guys falling in love! Throw in McIntyre's skill with found families, and extended families, and a 2 yr old called Sammy and you've got, for me, possibly McIntyre's best work yet!
AND this is the first in a new series and I cannot wait for the next one!
I'm making this a relatively short review, I might start ranting and raving, and if I allow myself free reign, you could end up with a 10,000 word review!
I'm putting this on my Masterpiece shelf! I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
5 full and shiny stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
It's so well written, from both Rhys and Cole's POV, in the first person, each chapter headers the change.
It's steamy and smexy (sooooooooooooooooooo smexy!) It's deeply emotional, for both Rhys and Cole and that surprised me, don't ask me why, cos I've no freaking idea! I just expected this to be a light and fluffy book. And it is, but with a heavy side of emotions.
It's sweet and cute, it's so freaking cute. Full of the warm and fuzzies that low/no angst books carry. Full of emotion and love.
Rhys is in a dark place when he comes into contact with Cole, and after that, it's just two guys falling in love! Throw in McIntyre's skill with found families, and extended families, and a 2 yr old called Sammy and you've got, for me, possibly McIntyre's best work yet!
AND this is the first in a new series and I cannot wait for the next one!
I'm making this a relatively short review, I might start ranting and raving, and if I allow myself free reign, you could end up with a 10,000 word review!
I'm putting this on my Masterpiece shelf! I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
5 full and shiny stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere