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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Trick or Deceit (Celebration Bay, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont (Celebration Bay #4) – 5
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-trick-or-deceit-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-trick-or-deceit-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Close (Maeve Kerrigan #10) in Books
Apr 9, 2023
We’re back with Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent in The Close, and they certainly have a full case load!
Maeve starts investigating the murder of a hospital consultant, whose body is found in his car in the hospital car park. She is also roped in to helping Josh on another case. One where they have to go undercover as a house/ dog sitting couple, whilst they investigate the death of a man with a learning disability. Oh, what a bind - to be stuck in a house with Josh Derwent for weeks!
Well, all doesn’t go quite as expected, but the tension is high with both Maeve, Josh and the case!
There are some great interactions in what appears at first glance to be an idyllic neighbourhood. It really isn’t.
The crimes are shocking, and it comes as no surprise that outwardly good people do terrible things.
I can’t wait to see what happens between Kerrigan and Derwent in the next book, but I suppose I’ll just have to!
Highly recommended!
Maeve starts investigating the murder of a hospital consultant, whose body is found in his car in the hospital car park. She is also roped in to helping Josh on another case. One where they have to go undercover as a house/ dog sitting couple, whilst they investigate the death of a man with a learning disability. Oh, what a bind - to be stuck in a house with Josh Derwent for weeks!
Well, all doesn’t go quite as expected, but the tension is high with both Maeve, Josh and the case!
There are some great interactions in what appears at first glance to be an idyllic neighbourhood. It really isn’t.
The crimes are shocking, and it comes as no surprise that outwardly good people do terrible things.
I can’t wait to see what happens between Kerrigan and Derwent in the next book, but I suppose I’ll just have to!
Highly recommended!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Inheritance in Books
Sep 21, 2022
What an enthralling read!
Sarah will inherit a small fortune and a grand house IF she is able to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her late aunt's best friend something neither her aunt or the Police were able to do in over 30 years ... Sarah has 6 months and if she fails, it all goes to the Conservative Party!!!
This book is full of interesting characters; most of which are not particularly likeable but this works really well with the story and brings up all manner of likely suspects. The setting of Craigsmoor Manor is wonderfully described and creates additional atmosphere and a creeping sense of foreboding.
The plot is intriguing and very engaging and although it's a slow burn, the author keeps you gripped by his excellent story telling and I would definitely recommend to those who love a great mystery.
My thanks must go to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Inheritance.
Sarah will inherit a small fortune and a grand house IF she is able to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her late aunt's best friend something neither her aunt or the Police were able to do in over 30 years ... Sarah has 6 months and if she fails, it all goes to the Conservative Party!!!
This book is full of interesting characters; most of which are not particularly likeable but this works really well with the story and brings up all manner of likely suspects. The setting of Craigsmoor Manor is wonderfully described and creates additional atmosphere and a creeping sense of foreboding.
The plot is intriguing and very engaging and although it's a slow burn, the author keeps you gripped by his excellent story telling and I would definitely recommend to those who love a great mystery.
My thanks must go to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Inheritance.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Fairest of All (Whatever After, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Abby and her brother Jonah make a shocking discovery when the mirror in the basement of their new house sucks them through and they find themselves in the woods. When they keep Snow White from eating the poisoned apple, they must find a way to fix her story and make it home.
This was a short but delightful story that anyone looking for an early chapter book will appreciate. A twist or two along the way even surprised me. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
I won this book in a contest.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-fairest-of-all-by-saran.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a short but delightful story that anyone looking for an early chapter book will appreciate. A twist or two along the way even surprised me. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
I won this book in a contest.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-fairest-of-all-by-saran.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated The Girl Before in Books
Sep 30, 2018
Clever
The book is cleverly told from two different people, at two different times….but their stories are linked in such a way that you just have to keep reading to find out what comes next!
I found myself dreaming of living in One Folgate Street, where one rule is that nothing is lying around – everything is tidy. Well my house isn’t like that but I would love for it to be… but then I enjoy my things around me and I am sure I would find it much more difficult that Emma or Jane did.
Thanks to JP Delaney, Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the sampler and the full novel. Highly recommended reading!!
I found myself dreaming of living in One Folgate Street, where one rule is that nothing is lying around – everything is tidy. Well my house isn’t like that but I would love for it to be… but then I enjoy my things around me and I am sure I would find it much more difficult that Emma or Jane did.
Thanks to JP Delaney, Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the sampler and the full novel. Highly recommended reading!!
Betsy Brandt recommended Hidden Figures (2016) in Movies (curated)
Georgia Hubley recommended The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) in Movies (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dreaming Darkness #1 in Books
Sep 22, 2021
The first in an annual collection of horror and dark-fantasy short stories for the Halloween season. All four stories in this volume have been previously published.
Volume One Contents
•The Girl in the Carnival Gown
Brilliant didn’t see that coming at all!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Last Stand
Oh I really liked this and I’m sure it would be fabulous as a full book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Nos Galan Gaeaf
Yay an early visit to cainsville I so miss it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•A Haunted House of Her Own
Brilliant absolutely loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall I love this little collection would definitely like to see more!!
Volume One Contents
•The Girl in the Carnival Gown
Brilliant didn’t see that coming at all!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Last Stand
Oh I really liked this and I’m sure it would be fabulous as a full book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Nos Galan Gaeaf
Yay an early visit to cainsville I so miss it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•A Haunted House of Her Own
Brilliant absolutely loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall I love this little collection would definitely like to see more!!
Lee (2222 KP) rated The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
After losing both parents in a car accident, Lewis travels to New Zebedee, Michigan to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in his large, creepy house. Jonathan's neighbour, Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett) seems to spend most of her time there too as they are old friends. The house is full of clocks and, as you've probably guessed from the title of the movie, an even more mysterious clock lies hidden somewhere within its walls. Lewis discovers that Johnathan is a warlock, Florence is a good witch and that the house once belonged to a powerful warlock, who intended to use the clock as part of a catastrophic evil plan.
Directed by Eli Roth, the movie oozes style and creepiness. It has scares that will terrify younger children, but entertain the parents and it has a good amount of humour throughout. For me though, it felt like all style and not much substance. Despite being based on the first in a series of 12 books, with this first story being published in 1973, the movie version just feels like an amalgamation of things we've seen many times before in recent years. Harry Potter, Miss Peregrine, even the trailer made me think of the Goosebumps movie.
I'm probably being a little harsh, and the latter third of the movie did turn out to be a lot more enjoyable than the first two. I guess I was just hoping for something a bit more.
Directed by Eli Roth, the movie oozes style and creepiness. It has scares that will terrify younger children, but entertain the parents and it has a good amount of humour throughout. For me though, it felt like all style and not much substance. Despite being based on the first in a series of 12 books, with this first story being published in 1973, the movie version just feels like an amalgamation of things we've seen many times before in recent years. Harry Potter, Miss Peregrine, even the trailer made me think of the Goosebumps movie.
I'm probably being a little harsh, and the latter third of the movie did turn out to be a lot more enjoyable than the first two. I guess I was just hoping for something a bit more.
Debbiereadsbook (1110 KP) rated Surreal Estate in Books
Nov 5, 2018
love love LOVED this one!
Sasha can't live at home, so he's on the streets. He finds an empty home that calls to his 6th sense and moves in. Then Nick buys the house. The house reacts badly to Nick wanting to sell it, and makes Nick's already tight budget and time frame almost impossible. Sasha doesn't want Nick to end up in the hospital, or worse, so he has to come up with something quick, while clearly out and healing his grandfather's house.
I won a copy of this book, and I am so bloody glad I did! Ms Ryan usually writes Young Adult and had this book came with that tag, I would not have entered, cos I'm not a YA fan. This is Ms Ryan's first foray into a much more adult setting, and into the male/male genre, and BOY does she smash it out the park!
Sasha can read houses, they call to him. His skill isn't made immediately clear, and we have to wait for the full picture. I think it really hit me, just what this meant for Sasha, when he was healing his grandfather's house.
I loved we got all of Nick's internal wrangling with himself over his growing feelings and attraction to Sasha. Loved that he was like, "okay then, must be bi" Loved the interaction between Nick and his brothers! His older brother needs a story now, needs to find his happy ever after, especially after what happened here. Well both brothers should have a story, I think!
It's not overly explicit, I thought, but it wans't lacking in any thing regards to the heat and steam level between these two! Not at all! It does carry a violence and drug use warning. These ARE needed and are an integral part of the story, but they are all off screen. We know Sasha's mum does drugs, but we don't see it. We know WHAT happened to Nick, cos we deal with the fall out, but not HOW. It also comes with a non-con warning. It's mostly touching, and doesn't develop into a full blown attack, but could very well have. It needs mentioning though.
It's told from both Sasha and Nick's point of view, in the first person. Each change occurs as a a chapter changes and is clearly headed. I didn't quite manage to read it in one sitting, but very nearly!
I can't wait to see what Ms Ryan comes up with next. I love finding new to me authors, especially ones who step outside their comfort zone! She impressed me here, greatly, and, apparently, I'm a tough critic! I'm not sure that's true, but I LOVED this book.
so,
5 full and shiny stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I won a copy of this book, and I am so bloody glad I did! Ms Ryan usually writes Young Adult and had this book came with that tag, I would not have entered, cos I'm not a YA fan. This is Ms Ryan's first foray into a much more adult setting, and into the male/male genre, and BOY does she smash it out the park!
Sasha can read houses, they call to him. His skill isn't made immediately clear, and we have to wait for the full picture. I think it really hit me, just what this meant for Sasha, when he was healing his grandfather's house.
I loved we got all of Nick's internal wrangling with himself over his growing feelings and attraction to Sasha. Loved that he was like, "okay then, must be bi" Loved the interaction between Nick and his brothers! His older brother needs a story now, needs to find his happy ever after, especially after what happened here. Well both brothers should have a story, I think!
It's not overly explicit, I thought, but it wans't lacking in any thing regards to the heat and steam level between these two! Not at all! It does carry a violence and drug use warning. These ARE needed and are an integral part of the story, but they are all off screen. We know Sasha's mum does drugs, but we don't see it. We know WHAT happened to Nick, cos we deal with the fall out, but not HOW. It also comes with a non-con warning. It's mostly touching, and doesn't develop into a full blown attack, but could very well have. It needs mentioning though.
It's told from both Sasha and Nick's point of view, in the first person. Each change occurs as a a chapter changes and is clearly headed. I didn't quite manage to read it in one sitting, but very nearly!
I can't wait to see what Ms Ryan comes up with next. I love finding new to me authors, especially ones who step outside their comfort zone! She impressed me here, greatly, and, apparently, I'm a tough critic! I'm not sure that's true, but I LOVED this book.
so,
5 full and shiny stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**