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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated A Disguise to Die For (Costume Shop Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Margo Tamblyn returns home to help her father with the family costume shop, Disguise DeLimit, in time to put together a bunch of detective costumes for a birthday party. But when the guest of honor is murdered in the kitchen and Margo’s good friend Ebony is the prime suspect, Margo has to put her own detective costume on to find the killer.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. The plot was great with many twists and surprises before we reached the logical conclusion. The characters were stronger and had more depth than many characters in long running series do. And the costume element was just plain fun, as I expected it would be. I can’t wait to revisit these characters again soon.
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/2016/02/book-review-disguise-to-die-for-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. The plot was great with many twists and surprises before we reached the logical conclusion. The characters were stronger and had more depth than many characters in long running series do. And the costume element was just plain fun, as I expected it would be. I can’t wait to revisit these characters again soon.
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/2016/02/book-review-disguise-to-die-for-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, #2) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
03-01-2009
09-03-2012
You've got mail! This is the first book I've ever read in which someone receives a penis by mail.
Stephanie is after Kenny Mancuso who shot his friend Moogey Bues. Then Kenny skedaddles and Moogey is shot again (only this time he goes to the morgue). The creepy undertaker Spiro Stiva enlists our heroine's help with tracking down 24 (count 'em) caskets.
This book is like the rest in the series: breezy, completely unbelievable, and ridiculously appealing. Seriously, Grandma Mazur is such a gem! I think a series with her as a main character would be a ball! More chemistry with Joe Morelli, more explosions, this book is hilarious and a bit unsettling... Stephanie is faced with a home invader who leaves body part and the aforementioned penis mailing. Oh, and former ho, Lula, begins her stint as a filing clerk. I read this book in less than a day. Hope I didn't spoil it for ya.
09-03-2012
You've got mail! This is the first book I've ever read in which someone receives a penis by mail.
Stephanie is after Kenny Mancuso who shot his friend Moogey Bues. Then Kenny skedaddles and Moogey is shot again (only this time he goes to the morgue). The creepy undertaker Spiro Stiva enlists our heroine's help with tracking down 24 (count 'em) caskets.
This book is like the rest in the series: breezy, completely unbelievable, and ridiculously appealing. Seriously, Grandma Mazur is such a gem! I think a series with her as a main character would be a ball! More chemistry with Joe Morelli, more explosions, this book is hilarious and a bit unsettling... Stephanie is faced with a home invader who leaves body part and the aforementioned penis mailing. Oh, and former ho, Lula, begins her stint as a filing clerk. I read this book in less than a day. Hope I didn't spoil it for ya.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Final Destination 5 (2011) in Movies
Oct 7, 2019 (Updated Dec 4, 2019)
Surprisingly ok
I remember when FD5 was announced (hilariously titled 5nal Destination initially), I was just completely not bothered. After originally being drawn in by the original, and then being subjected to a series of progressively crappier sequels, not even the prospect of sudden ridiculous gore could reel me in.
I finally got round to watching it at home, and in all honesty, FD5 is actually pretty enjoyable! For the first time in ages, we are presented with characters who are relatively likable!
Plot wise, it's all very much the same, although it does spend more time with the cheating-death-by-killing-someone-else idea.
The deaths are pretty creative (that gym scene though) without feeling too over the top like previous installments.
The film ends on an inspired and unexpected twist, which elevates FD5 over it's predecessors, and arguably delivers the best overall movie experience in the series to date!
I finally got round to watching it at home, and in all honesty, FD5 is actually pretty enjoyable! For the first time in ages, we are presented with characters who are relatively likable!
Plot wise, it's all very much the same, although it does spend more time with the cheating-death-by-killing-someone-else idea.
The deaths are pretty creative (that gym scene though) without feeling too over the top like previous installments.
The film ends on an inspired and unexpected twist, which elevates FD5 over it's predecessors, and arguably delivers the best overall movie experience in the series to date!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Dark Chocolate Demise (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Fairy Tale Cupcakes are selling cupcakes at the end of the first annual Zombie walk in town, and Mel, Angie, and the rest of their staff are getting into the spirit of things. But the fun takes a dark turn when Mel finds a body stuffed into the coffin outside their cupcake truck – a body that hits very close to home. Who was the target and why?
This book is a little darker than others in the series based on the plot alone, but we are talking a shade darker – cozy fans will still love it. The mystery takes a back seat at times to the characters reactions to the murder, but that was the appropriate response to the plot and I was never board while reading it. The book reaches a logical and page turning climax, and it also features some of the funniest scenes in the series. I think this is best for people already fans of the series, but they will love it.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of the book in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-dark-chocolate-demise-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a little darker than others in the series based on the plot alone, but we are talking a shade darker – cozy fans will still love it. The mystery takes a back seat at times to the characters reactions to the murder, but that was the appropriate response to the plot and I was never board while reading it. The book reaches a logical and page turning climax, and it also features some of the funniest scenes in the series. I think this is best for people already fans of the series, but they will love it.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of the book in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-dark-chocolate-demise-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Blue Skies (Collier's Creek) in Books
Oct 30, 2023
BLUE SKIES is the last book in the multi-author series, Collier's Creek.
Kit and Felix are both new in town, although Felix is just returning to his roots. Both of them have baggage, although Kit's is more tragic than Felix's. Kit has writer's block and hopes new scenery will clear it. Felix needs to regroup and figure out what he wants to do with his life. When these two meet, it is definitely a case of opposites attract, although that does change.
As with all of the books in this series, it is low angst. I enjoyed their story, although I didn't quite 'feel' it as much as some of the others. I did enjoy the cameos from Logan though, and hearing the update of how he and Coop are getting on. They still remain my favourite pairing of Collier's Creek.
This was a sweet and sometimes spicy read, that felt like coming home. I have enjoyed this addition to the series and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 30, 2023
Kit and Felix are both new in town, although Felix is just returning to his roots. Both of them have baggage, although Kit's is more tragic than Felix's. Kit has writer's block and hopes new scenery will clear it. Felix needs to regroup and figure out what he wants to do with his life. When these two meet, it is definitely a case of opposites attract, although that does change.
As with all of the books in this series, it is low angst. I enjoyed their story, although I didn't quite 'feel' it as much as some of the others. I did enjoy the cameos from Logan though, and hearing the update of how he and Coop are getting on. They still remain my favourite pairing of Collier's Creek.
This was a sweet and sometimes spicy read, that felt like coming home. I have enjoyed this addition to the series and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 30, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Nogged Off in Books
Nov 3, 2019
Julia’s First Eventful Christmas Back Home
This story finds Julia Snowden taking a quick day trip to New York City to pack up the rest of her belongings so she can permanently move to Maine. When she arrives, she finds her sub-tenant to be upset about some setbacks in her personal life, and Julia winds up inviting Imogen home for Christmas. However, Julia’s Christmas gets more complicated when her moving truck is stolen after they arrive in Busman’s Harbor. What is going on?
I love this series, and I enjoyed getting to visit Julia at Christmas. I was able to get fully lost in this story right away since I already know the series characters and the setting. The plot was fun with some good twists before we reached the end. Barbara Ross includes some fun Christmas traditions that are unique to Maine without slowing down the story, and they give us that all important Christmas feeling. There are a couple of recipes at the end of the story, as always, to enjoy during the holiday season.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Eggnog Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas trip to Maine.
I love this series, and I enjoyed getting to visit Julia at Christmas. I was able to get fully lost in this story right away since I already know the series characters and the setting. The plot was fun with some good twists before we reached the end. Barbara Ross includes some fun Christmas traditions that are unique to Maine without slowing down the story, and they give us that all important Christmas feeling. There are a couple of recipes at the end of the story, as always, to enjoy during the holiday season.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Eggnog Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas trip to Maine.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Nacho Average Murder in Books
Jul 2, 2020
Vacation with Murder
Robbie Jordan is taking a well-deserved vacation and heading back to Santa Barbara for her high school reunion. This is the first time she’s been back since her mother died, and it is definitely a struggle for her even before she hears a rumor that her mother might not have died from natural causes. When someone else dies under similar circumstances, Robbie can’t help but investigate. Will she learn the truth before she has to return home?
Vacation books can be tricky to pull off while satisfying fans. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work. I enjoyed seeing a different side of Robbie as she interacted with her old friends, and I did like the new characters. However, I missed the series regulars. The plot wasn’t as strong as it could have been, although things were wrapped up by the time we reached the end. I enjoyed spotting the parallels between where Robbie stayed and her own place back in Indiana. Instead of my normal breakfast food cravings while reading this book, I was left craving Mexican food, which I didn’t mind in the least. The recipes at the end will help everyone with that. As a fan of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone mysteries, I enjoyed the references to that series in this book. If you are a fan of the Country Store Mysteries, you’ll still want to pick up this book. But if you are new to the series, back up and read the earlier entries in the series.
Vacation books can be tricky to pull off while satisfying fans. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work. I enjoyed seeing a different side of Robbie as she interacted with her old friends, and I did like the new characters. However, I missed the series regulars. The plot wasn’t as strong as it could have been, although things were wrapped up by the time we reached the end. I enjoyed spotting the parallels between where Robbie stayed and her own place back in Indiana. Instead of my normal breakfast food cravings while reading this book, I was left craving Mexican food, which I didn’t mind in the least. The recipes at the end will help everyone with that. As a fan of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone mysteries, I enjoyed the references to that series in this book. If you are a fan of the Country Store Mysteries, you’ll still want to pick up this book. But if you are new to the series, back up and read the earlier entries in the series.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Netflix in Apps
Nov 3, 2017
Vast range of documentaries (1 more)
Easy to use app
Use it everyday
The content on Netflix is not bad, it has a great range of TV series and documentaries, however they seem to be slightly behind Amazon Prime and quite a lot behind Now TV in terms of movies.
The app itself is great, it's easy to use and utilising Chromecast and Google Home means I can watch Netflix on TV with only my voice or a touch of the button on the app. It's well made, more so than watching Amazon Prime as it still does not have this functionality.
The app itself is great, it's easy to use and utilising Chromecast and Google Home means I can watch Netflix on TV with only my voice or a touch of the button on the app. It's well made, more so than watching Amazon Prime as it still does not have this functionality.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated The Future Door in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The second in a kid's mystery series that combines steampunk and Sherlock Holmes. Griffin and his uncle have raced home to see what has happened to his parents only to almost be killed as soon as they've arrived. Why? The answer lies back in London and may lead to the end of the world as we know it. I was enjoy this book despite some over writing until I hit the climax which was a cheap way to end things. Not a bad book, but a disappointing finish.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-future-door-by-jason.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-future-door-by-jason.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Purr M for Murder (Cat Rescue Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Sydney returns home to North Carolina to help plan an even intended to keep the animal shelter where her sister Kat works afloat. A local bully threatens to do whatever it takes to stop the event, and Kat yells at him that it will be the last thing he will ever do. Since he is found dead not long after, Kat becomes suspect number one, and Sydney goes to work to prove her sisters innocence. This well-paced mystery kept me in the dark right up to the end. Purr M for MURDER is the first in what looks to be a great new series.