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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Snakes in Books

Jun 19, 2021  
The Snakes
The Snakes
Sadie Jones | 2019 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Thriller
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly, I’d like to make it clear that I really enjoyed The Snakes. A lot.
Secondly, I’m sorry for being so predictable, but I pretty much hated every single character in this novel, apart from Alex and Dan. Bea had moments where I felt that I could like her, but then she just didn’t seem to help herself or anyone else.

So, short summary of the plot: Bea and Dan live in a tiny flat in London and decide to drive through Europe on a shoestring budget, financed by renting their flat out. Their first stop is at Bea’s brothers hotel in Burgundy. Alex runs the hotel, which was bought for him by their ridiculously rich parents. I think they’re hoping that the responsibility will keep him busy and off drugs.

Shortly after Bea and Daniel’s arrival, Bea’s parents turn up, and they realise that the hotel is basically a dump. This is the point at which Dan learns that his in-laws are rich enough to own a private jet, and his and Bea’s financial struggles could easily be solved if they would just take their offered money. But Bea has her reasons and principles. And they’re good ones.

Some pretty awful things happen in this book. It’s a stark example of the “haves” and “have nots”, and how those with money (and I’m talking about Griff here) have no comprehension what living in poverty or with little money is like. I could understand Dan’s wish to take Griff’s money, but at the same time, I could understand Bea’s motivation for NOT taking it.
And the ending is a real kick in the guts, let me tell you!!

This is a firm five star read from me - it’s well worth the read (or the listen, in my case!)
  
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A Souffle of Suspicion
A Souffle of Suspicion
Daryl Wood Gerber | 2018 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Crush Week, Sweets Fest, and Murder
Things are hopping at Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Tourists have flocked to the Napa Valley for Crush Week and the first Sweet Treat festival is being hosted on the grounds of the hotel. Mimi is thrilled that both hotel and restaurant are booked solid for the week. Things take a deadly turn when Renee, the festival organizer and sister of Mimi’s head chef Camille, is found murdered in Camille’s kitchen. Who had a reason to murder the woman?

It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.
  
The Night Clerk (2020)
The Night Clerk (2020)
2020 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
5
5.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Seasoned Actors and Actresses (0 more)
Non seasoned actors and actresses (0 more)
Always check for cameras in the hotel room
At First I thought I was watching 13 cameras as it has the same feeling. At first you are pissed off at the main character Bart Bromley (Tye Sheridan) but by the end you are drawn to him, well at least I was.

John Leguizamo plays a tough going Detective and Helen Hunt plays the mom to this autistic main character. Both John and Helen nail the roles, as you would expect from the veteran actor and actress but as for the rest, maybe the next film they will nail down.

I feel the storyline could have been worked on. During some parts, I felt lost and wandering, it seemed to need more filler storyline.

Overall it's not that bad, but if you are tired you may want to hold off till you are wide awake as you may node off some.

The movie isn't scary, but it does make you wonder if you should check the hotel room for camera's the next time you stay at one.
  
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Karl Hyde recommended Untrue by Burial in Music (curated)

 
Untrue by Burial
Untrue by Burial
2007 | Electronic
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"There are a lot of parallels between this record and the roots of Underworld’s inspiration. Film music. Taking sounds and songs and melodies from other tunes and fusing them together with other music in a completely different key. And it just has this dusty, beautifully dirty quality – like film noir through a dirty window. I absolutely love it. We took it to Chile with us, Rick and I, and played it in our hotel room and decided it was the best thing we’d heard in years. It inspired us to start writing there and then in our hotel room – music that went on to be part of the download-only records we did. It encouraged us to be a little less produced. It’s an amazing soundtrack for what’s going on around you. There’s a link between these first three records – especially with James Blake – the way that the voice is treated. It was very exciting to hear the voices on the Burial record treated in such an unprecious way. Taking vocals as oscillators, as we’d always seen them, like another synthesiser that’s capable of generating incredible noises. That in itself was inspiring."

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