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Dean (6927 KP) rated Kill List (2012) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018
Brutal
A very good film...in the end and a bit odd as well. The first 20mins I found very slow and dull. I was worried this could be a low budget shocker that was over hyped. Once the film got going though it is pretty relentless until the end. The violence is very brutal, gritty and disturbing. For once in a film it was quite realistic. The only down side was the twist towards the end which left many questions unanswered. Maybe a film that needs to be watched more than once to get a better understanding of it. Overall a good British thriller that will last long in the memory after viewing.
Chrissy (8 KP) rated An Equation For Murder in Books
Jan 25, 2018
I found myself quickly interested in the story of Sam and Lilly. The older woman, who gives so much of herself to everyone else and finally decides to do something for herself. The slightly younger man, a professor, who usually tries to avoid all of the women in his classes. It's a forbidden romance, that is just so right.
I was frustrated when the story would shift from their lives to these other characters that I couldn't figure out why I was reading about them. Then when the two stories merged everything got so much more intense and I couldn't stop until I finished.
Wonderful read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I was frustrated when the story would shift from their lives to these other characters that I couldn't figure out why I was reading about them. Then when the two stories merged everything got so much more intense and I couldn't stop until I finished.
Wonderful read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Sarah Thompson (2 KP) rated The Great Alone in Books
Feb 1, 2018
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book for a test read campaign. The storyline built slowly and steadily, with atmospheric descriptions of the harshness of life in Alaska but I found it was slightly repetitive in the first half of the book. The descriptions of the wilderness of Alaska and the light nights and the dark were wonderfully evocative. The storyline then suddenly snowballed in the second half and I was unable to put it down but I felt that the author was rushing to The End as if she had a deadline to meet. It could perhaps have benefited from having a longer page count!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Speaking from Among the Bones (Flavia de Luce, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s the week before Easter, but Flavia is focused on the unearthing of the village’s patron saint in honor of the 400th anniversary of his death. However, a very modern corpse is also found in the crypt, and Flavia is on the case.
The case seems to wander quite a bit as the book progresses, bringing in things that appear unrelated. However, everything does come into play before the book is over. I’m truly enjoying watching these characters grow, and some of the ongoing stories really have me curious about what comes next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-speaking-from-among-bones.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The case seems to wander quite a bit as the book progresses, bringing in things that appear unrelated. However, everything does come into play before the book is over. I’m truly enjoying watching these characters grow, and some of the ongoing stories really have me curious about what comes next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-speaking-from-among-bones.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Boiled Over (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Founder's Day Weekend gets off to a rough start when a body is found in the fire the Snowden Family Clambake was using to prepare a meal. With the police looking at one of their employees, Julia must dig in and find the real killer.
The story started out strongly and never faltered as it led me through several twists and turns. The characters were just as strong as in the debut, and I enjoyed spending time with all of them again.
Note: I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-boiled-over-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The story started out strongly and never faltered as it led me through several twists and turns. The characters were just as strong as in the debut, and I enjoyed spending time with all of them again.
Note: I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-boiled-over-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When their friend Chet's jalopy is stolen, Frank and Joe think it is their chance to prove they can be detectives. But when they find his car, it just leads them to more mysteries.
This is my first time reading a Hardy Boys book in years, and I found it interesting. The characters were still as shallow as I remembered, but I was surprised to find the plot was episodic and their father did some big chunks of the investigation without them. Still, I enjoyed it and think kids today will, too.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-tower-treasure-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is my first time reading a Hardy Boys book in years, and I found it interesting. The characters were still as shallow as I remembered, but I was surprised to find the plot was episodic and their father did some big chunks of the investigation without them. Still, I enjoyed it and think kids today will, too.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-tower-treasure-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Supernatural Enhancements in Books
Mar 15, 2018
It's hard to describe this novel. On the one hand there is a pretty straightforward mystery at its center, full of clever puzzles and hints of conspiracy. On the other though is a possible haunting, a weird romance, and a very unusual narrative structure. The book is told in the form of journal entries, letters, notepad scribblings, security camera transcripts, and other means. This method can be very effective at slowly revealing answers, and may make this possibly the first "found footage" novel, but it also somehow removes the suspense in many scenes, and periodically makes things unnecessarily confusing. Still, I enjoyed reading this book, and would be interested in a sequel, so that should say something.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I read this over a weeks period while on holiday, and I found it difficult to put down! I've always been interested in crime, especially that of murders and kidnappings, so Helter Skelter seemed the perfect book for me. I love how in depth Bugliosi gets in this book, there's not a single piece of information missing. Once you finish this book you will know the Manson case inside out.
The second half can become a bit tedious due to the fact that it's all about the court case, however it still manages to grip you just as you're feeling a bit sleepy.
I may even go back to read this book again.
The second half can become a bit tedious due to the fact that it's all about the court case, however it still manages to grip you just as you're feeling a bit sleepy.
I may even go back to read this book again.
This was an enjoyable foray into America's past. The book starts by giving us a glimpse into both Alexander Hamilton's childhood and early military career, as well as Elizabeth Schuyler's early home life. The story then continues to follow the pair throughout their romance and marriage, right up to each of their deaths. Fans of Alexander Hamilton, and there seem to be a lot of those at present, should enjoy the story. While not a young adult book, I found that the writing style gave it the feel of one, and made this a fairly quick, easy read.
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Hell on Wheels (An Odelia Grey Mystery, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Odelia and her husband Greg are attending a quad rugby tournament when a friend of theirs is accused of killing a jerk on the opposing team. Meanwhile, Odelia’s boss Mike Steel is acting strangely after being beat up while out of town.
Between the two stories, this book is always moving forward. I found both of them intriguing and never wanted to put the book down. The sub-plot with Steel provides us with some great laughs. The characters are as well-developed and charming as ever, which adds to the fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-hell-on-wheels-by-sue-ann.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Between the two stories, this book is always moving forward. I found both of them intriguing and never wanted to put the book down. The sub-plot with Steel provides us with some great laughs. The characters are as well-developed and charming as ever, which adds to the fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-hell-on-wheels-by-sue-ann.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.