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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated Academic Curveball in Books
Oct 16, 2018
Kellan Faces One of Life's Curveballs – Murder
Kellan Ayrwick has returned home for a few days to attend a dinner in honor of his father's retirement from Braxton College. While Kellan's there, he is supposed to meet up with a woman who has done some research for the true crime TV show that he works on. However, Kellan gets distracted when, near the end of the dinner, he finds a dead body. The victim was a professor at Braxton. With everything swirling around the at college, Kellan is afraid that someone he loves will be arrested for the crime. Can he figure out the truth before that happens?
I wanted to like the book, but I felt it had some flaws to it. It was overly wordy, especially with some rehashing of things we already knew and theories we'd already considered. Additionally, there were several nitpicks, like this dinner several months before Kellan's father planned to fully retire. The mystery, overall, was strong, however. There were several believable suspects that kept me guessing until Kellan figured things out. Likewise, I really liked the potential series regulars, and the book introduced several threads that will make for great future books in the series.
I wanted to like the book, but I felt it had some flaws to it. It was overly wordy, especially with some rehashing of things we already knew and theories we'd already considered. Additionally, there were several nitpicks, like this dinner several months before Kellan's father planned to fully retire. The mystery, overall, was strong, however. There were several believable suspects that kept me guessing until Kellan figured things out. Likewise, I really liked the potential series regulars, and the book introduced several threads that will make for great future books in the series.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Perfect Murder (Inspector Ghote, #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This is the first in a series of mysteries featuring Inpector Ghote of the Bombay CID recently rereleased as a Penguin Modern Classic. I don't know how many titles there are in the series, but as in the introduction we are told the author didn't set foot in India until the first nine were written I'd hazard a guess there are at least ten!
Now, I do love a good mystery, or what my mother calls 'a nice murder' and although I was entertained enough by this I don't think it will finding a permanent home on my bookshevles. It's not that there is anything particularly wrong with it, perhaps it just wasn't my cup of tea? I found most of the characters in the book to be completely frustrating and unhelpful so I felt frustrated too! Lala Varde I could have quite cheerfully strangled myself with his obstructiveness and childish rhyming language!
One thing I do usually enjoy in mystery novels is trying to work out the solution and then feeling particularly pleased with myself if I get anywhere near the truth. I think that was difficult to do here, so maybe another reason why I wasn't taken with it?
Now, I do love a good mystery, or what my mother calls 'a nice murder' and although I was entertained enough by this I don't think it will finding a permanent home on my bookshevles. It's not that there is anything particularly wrong with it, perhaps it just wasn't my cup of tea? I found most of the characters in the book to be completely frustrating and unhelpful so I felt frustrated too! Lala Varde I could have quite cheerfully strangled myself with his obstructiveness and childish rhyming language!
One thing I do usually enjoy in mystery novels is trying to work out the solution and then feeling particularly pleased with myself if I get anywhere near the truth. I think that was difficult to do here, so maybe another reason why I wasn't taken with it?
Enough Isn't Everything
10.0
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New Adult romance:- Lily has the total package. She’s smart, beautiful, and musically gifted. ...
klshandwick steamyread TET EIE oneclick
World Film Locations: Cleveland
Book
The prototypical rust belt city, Cleveland has long served as an emblem of late twentieth-century...
The Lady Who Was Beautiful Inside
5.0
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Such was the power of the BEAUTY INSIDE her that Winter turned to Spring in her path and flowers...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Lantern Men in Books
Aug 6, 2020
I adore all Ruth Galloway books, and I'm so glad the series continues. I was surprised to find the book opening with Ruth away from her beloved Norfolk and its marshes--and giving more permanence to her relationship with Frank. The move only complicates Ruth's own relationship with Nelson, and their chemistry crackles as always. I love how familiar the characters feel--Ruth, Nelson, and young Kate. Ruth's friends, to include Cathbad, the eclectic druid, and his family. Nelson's co-workers. Ruth's co-workers. Each of these books feels like coming home and Griffiths captures each of their individual voices so perfectly. I love Nelson's sarcasm and Ruth's intelligence and desire for solitude--they are all so wonderful.
The case in this book is excellent; Griffiths is an expert at tying together murders in the past with those in the present, and that happens here. It kept me guessing, and it's great that's it's so often Ruth's intelligence--not just Nelson's brawn--that helps resolve things. There are some strong twists that keep things moving as well.
This book will stand-alone, though I always recommend the whole series, because Ruth and Nelson's relationship and character development alone is worth it. 4 stars for this installment, and I'll look forward to #13!
The case in this book is excellent; Griffiths is an expert at tying together murders in the past with those in the present, and that happens here. It kept me guessing, and it's great that's it's so often Ruth's intelligence--not just Nelson's brawn--that helps resolve things. There are some strong twists that keep things moving as well.
This book will stand-alone, though I always recommend the whole series, because Ruth and Nelson's relationship and character development alone is worth it. 4 stars for this installment, and I'll look forward to #13!
Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends - Series 1
7.8
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Documentaries by writer and presenter Louis Theroux which delve into the weirder fringes of American...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated Between a Flock and a Hard Place in Books
Aug 27, 2024 (Updated Aug 27, 2024)
Meg’s Latest Case is Not a Turkey
The new home renovation TV show Marvelous Mansions has come to town and made a less than stellar impression. Meg, in her job as special envoy to the mayor, is on her way to try to keep everyone happy when she discovers the neighborhood has a new problem – feral turkeys. Naturally, Meg gets involved in trying to round them up, while Chief Burke works on trying to figure out who put them there. Then Meg stumbles on a dead body. Are the two events connected?
Those familiar with the series will be delighted with the latest entry. Yes, the antics with the turkey keep the mystery in the background for a while, but I was having so much fun I didn’t much care. It helped that I was laughing at what was happening. When Meg finds the body, the mystery does pick up and lead us through some great twists to a logical climax. The characters are their normal charming selves, and the new characters fit right into the series. If you haven’t met the characters yet, these books standalone well enough that you can jump in here. And if you are a longtime fan, you’ll be happy with the latest release.
Those familiar with the series will be delighted with the latest entry. Yes, the antics with the turkey keep the mystery in the background for a while, but I was having so much fun I didn’t much care. It helped that I was laughing at what was happening. When Meg finds the body, the mystery does pick up and lead us through some great twists to a logical climax. The characters are their normal charming selves, and the new characters fit right into the series. If you haven’t met the characters yet, these books standalone well enough that you can jump in here. And if you are a longtime fan, you’ll be happy with the latest release.
Merissa (14106 KP) rated Rue's Rapture (Divergent Omegaverse #5) in Books
May 8, 2026
RUE'S RAPTURE is the fifth book in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I really do recommend you read the others first. There is a slight overlap between books, so to get the best, fully rounded picture, you need to start at the beginning.
Rue is the youngest Starling brother, and the one who holds onto his pain behind thick shields. Those shields are tested when first Monty, and then Kendrick come into his life.
Although lighthearted for the most part, this story also deals with Rue's pain. Compared to him, Monty and Kendrick are home free. I loved the way Monty and Kendrick were all in, but could recognise that no matter how much he wanted to be with them, Rue would need more time.
As always, my heart was touched by the rescued Omegas. I'm really hoping we continue to see how they're getting on in future books.
A great addition to the series, this was a story I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
May 6, 2026
Rue is the youngest Starling brother, and the one who holds onto his pain behind thick shields. Those shields are tested when first Monty, and then Kendrick come into his life.
Although lighthearted for the most part, this story also deals with Rue's pain. Compared to him, Monty and Kendrick are home free. I loved the way Monty and Kendrick were all in, but could recognise that no matter how much he wanted to be with them, Rue would need more time.
As always, my heart was touched by the rescued Omegas. I'm really hoping we continue to see how they're getting on in future books.
A great addition to the series, this was a story I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
May 6, 2026
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Girl in the Pink Shoes (Lucy Kendall #1) in Books
Feb 12, 2023
This is the first book in the Lucy Kendall series and the first by Stacy Green I have either read or listened to and it certainly won't be the last.
Lucy has her demons from her childhood as well as the ones she carries from her previous work in Child Protection Services and now she is a private investigator but with a secret - exacting her own punishment against those who have managed to escape justice for the heinous crimes they have perpetrated against children so when 8 year old Kailey goes missing on her way home from school, Lucy doesn't waste any time getting involved but what she discovers is shocking.
With excellent, strong characters, an upsetting but plausible story line with some great unexpected twists, The Girl in the Pink Shoes is a great start to a series. I grew to like Lucy and her band of helpers and I look forward to seeing where things go for her in future books.
The narration was understated and perfect - Amelia Sciandra did a great job and kept my interest and the story moving along nicely and my thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Girl in the Pink Shoes.
Lucy has her demons from her childhood as well as the ones she carries from her previous work in Child Protection Services and now she is a private investigator but with a secret - exacting her own punishment against those who have managed to escape justice for the heinous crimes they have perpetrated against children so when 8 year old Kailey goes missing on her way home from school, Lucy doesn't waste any time getting involved but what she discovers is shocking.
With excellent, strong characters, an upsetting but plausible story line with some great unexpected twists, The Girl in the Pink Shoes is a great start to a series. I grew to like Lucy and her band of helpers and I look forward to seeing where things go for her in future books.
The narration was understated and perfect - Amelia Sciandra did a great job and kept my interest and the story moving along nicely and my thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Girl in the Pink Shoes.