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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Death by Smoothie in Books
Jan 13, 2023 (Updated Jan 13, 2023)
This Smoothie Isn’t Healthy for Someone
Someone is trying to revive the cult classic sitcom I Married a Zombie as a stage musical, and freelance writer Jaine Austen has been hired to punch up the script. Since the producer is also the writer and the star, the script needs a lot of work, but the biggest problem is Misty, the actress hired to play the lead. She can’t act and she can’t remember her lines, but the producer is enchanted with her. That is until someone poisons her afternoon smoothie. Jaine jumps into action to figure out who the killer is. Can she do it?
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Maddie (37 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) in Movies
Nov 16, 2017
Character development (2 more)
Creativity that added new elements to the world
Soundtrack on point
Lived up to the hype
Man, I love this movie. I actually would watch it before most of the Harry Potter films. Just everything about it hit the right chords for me. I loved the new characters and found them just as lovable as the original trio. The fresh setting of New York is also a welcome change of pace.
I thought that this film balanced the darkness and humor so well, which is something Rowling has always done well...I should never have doubted her! Far from a die-hard fan, but am more than pleased that this film lived up to my expectations. Looking forward to the sequel (although I have my reservations about Depp and Law).
I thought that this film balanced the darkness and humor so well, which is something Rowling has always done well...I should never have doubted her! Far from a die-hard fan, but am more than pleased that this film lived up to my expectations. Looking forward to the sequel (although I have my reservations about Depp and Law).
Taryn K (444 KP) rated Sing (2016) in Movies
Dec 9, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was a bit slow starting out, and I was wondering how we would make it to a good ending; but then after everything, including the theater, fell apart, it all came together.
The music is fun, although there is only one original song, "Set It All Free", which Ash the Porcupine delivers with authority.
Possibly, if I didn't enjoy watching so many musical reality shows, I might not have liked this as much; but I do, and I did, and it's just fun to see how the characters interact and grow over the course of the movie. The running gags don't hurt either.
I'd definitely recommend this movie.
The music is fun, although there is only one original song, "Set It All Free", which Ash the Porcupine delivers with authority.
Possibly, if I didn't enjoy watching so many musical reality shows, I might not have liked this as much; but I do, and I did, and it's just fun to see how the characters interact and grow over the course of the movie. The running gags don't hurt either.
I'd definitely recommend this movie.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Front Porch Prophet in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This book tells the story of two lifelong friends...1 a shift manager at a sawmill, the other a younger, cancer ridden bootlegger. The novel moves seamlessly between flashbacks of when A.J. & Eugene were young & the present day. The story deals with Eugene's slow decline into the late stages of pancreatic cancer & how A.J. comes to terms with his friend's eventual demise. It provides a heartbreaking look into what a caner patient deals with as well as what that person's family & friends deal with. It was sad, but at the same time there was plenty of humor dispersed throughout the tale to keep the reader from getting too depressed with Eugene's illness.
In the end, many long held secrets come to light. The end is bittersweet, but realistic.
In the end, many long held secrets come to light. The end is bittersweet, but realistic.
Funny From the Start (1 more)
Insightful
Funny and Honest
When I found out that Lauren Graham wrote a book I was was so excited! I mean I love reading and I love Lauren Graham so it had to be amazing, right? From the moment I opened the book I knew I was right. Using her unique humor and personality she guided us through her life from a young age through The Gilmore Girls revival, giving us an inside look on getting into acting as well as working on her legend worthy shows.
It is nice to get an insider's perspective on an industry that has always interested me.
It is also nice to hear about the relationships she had with her co-workers and how they felt coming back without the Richard (Edward Herrmann).
It is nice to get an insider's perspective on an industry that has always interested me.
It is also nice to hear about the relationships she had with her co-workers and how they felt coming back without the Richard (Edward Herrmann).
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Despite being the second in a series, The Trouble with Mistletoe is a standalone that can be enjoyed without reading the first.
I have never read from this author before, but I enjoyed her easy light hearted style. From page one, I knew I was going to enjoy the authors humor as well as characters. From the beginning, it was hard not to like Willa. She is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny at no ones expense. Keane was just as likable. Despite their troubles and pasts, there was a delightful lack of angst and self-loathing. A definite win in my opinion.
Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, The Trouble with Mistletoe is lovely read for those wanting a sweet, not too complicated romance.
I have never read from this author before, but I enjoyed her easy light hearted style. From page one, I knew I was going to enjoy the authors humor as well as characters. From the beginning, it was hard not to like Willa. She is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny at no ones expense. Keane was just as likable. Despite their troubles and pasts, there was a delightful lack of angst and self-loathing. A definite win in my opinion.
Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, The Trouble with Mistletoe is lovely read for those wanting a sweet, not too complicated romance.
Hilary dreams of become a pirate. But she' s a girl and the daughter of an admirable. Still, at the first chance, she runs away and joins up. Tasked with finding a treasure using a map with no markings, she might be in over her head. Can she do it?
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated The 101 Dalmatians (The Hundred and One Dalmatians, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Pongo and Missis are settling into their new married life with their newly wed pets - Mr. and Mrs. Dearly. Missis is expecting puppies, but these puppies have caught the eye of their neighbor and Mrs. Dearly's schoolmate Cruella de Vil. What will she do to get her hands on the puppies?
This is the book that inspired the Disney animation classic, and it is a lot of fun. The basic story is the same, but there are lots of changes along the way, plus more about the de Vil family. The humor is much more subtle than the film, but it still made me laugh and smile. Definitely a charming, fun read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-101-dalmatians-by-dodie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the book that inspired the Disney animation classic, and it is a lot of fun. The basic story is the same, but there are lots of changes along the way, plus more about the de Vil family. The humor is much more subtle than the film, but it still made me laugh and smile. Definitely a charming, fun read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-101-dalmatians-by-dodie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
After being forced to form a book club with her feuding neighbors, Bea is shocked to find the owner of the local Chinese restaurant dead behind his cash register. With events that are mirroring their first book, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Bea and the reading group must figure out what the clues mean to find the killer.
The pace seemed off at times, although part of that was setting up the characters and the series. There was still plenty of time for some great twists that would have made Christie herself proud. Throw in some good characters and a nice dose of humor and you've got a winning series debut.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-mayhem-at-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The pace seemed off at times, although part of that was setting up the characters and the series. There was still plenty of time for some great twists that would have made Christie herself proud. Throw in some good characters and a nice dose of humor and you've got a winning series debut.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-mayhem-at-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Killing Cupid (A Jaine Austen Mystery #12) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jaine's latest freelance writing assignment is for Joy Amoroso, founder of matchmaking service Dates of Joy. However, Joy is a liar and a cheat, and that's putting it politely. When Joy dies at the company's annual Valentine's Day party, Jaine has to figure out who of the many people Joy cheated had finally had enough.
This series is always funny, and this book is no exception. The characters are good and the plot has some good twists, but the humor is the biggest star. I laughed, chuckled, and smiled my way through to the ending. If you want a light mystery, I can't recommend this series highly enough.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-killing-cupid-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is always funny, and this book is no exception. The characters are good and the plot has some good twists, but the humor is the biggest star. I laughed, chuckled, and smiled my way through to the ending. If you want a light mystery, I can't recommend this series highly enough.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-killing-cupid-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.