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Jpb (34 KP) rated Malignant (2021) in Movies

Sep 12, 2021  
Malignant (2021)
Malignant (2021)
2021 | Crime, Drama, Horror
7
7.6 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
New, jumpy, nice fresh film (0 more)
To out there (0 more)
Not your typical Wan
Contains spoilers, click to show
So I went see this , And with it being James Wan I expected a serious supernatural horror so, I started watching it with a mind set it might be a supernatural or entity type movie like the conjuring but I couldn’t of been more wrong. Its different in a good way its on the verge of silly but by damn he made it work. The visuals, the camera angles, the music, the gore its all one fun head fu**ed up ride! The special effects are crazy cool looking and the movie even gives you a hint of nostalgia to all those original horror movies. This movie is an unexpected mind blow I enjoyed every plot twist and hidden joke because there is some comedy in the mix or perhaps its just my dark sense of humor lol. Over all a good movie to watch a refreshing plot line to be honest. James Wan is a master at what he does and once again he delivered.

I came out thinking if this was the late 80s I would of just watched elm street about a serial kill that kills u in your sleep , which was also silly fun and scary. If you want something that pushes the boundaries then this is for you.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Malibu Burning in Books

May 4, 2024 (Updated May 4, 2024)  
Malibu Burning
Malibu Burning
Lee Goldberg | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Is Arson Covering Another Crime?
Former US Marshal Andrew Walker has joined the LA Sheriff arson investigators just as wild fires are breaking out all over the county. His partner, veteran Walter Sharpe, is picking up on clues that these fires are arson and not accidents. But Walker thinks there is a larger motive behind them. If he is right, what other crimes might be happening?

If you need to read a book that takes place in chronological order, this isn’t the book for you since the book jumps back pretty often in the first two thirds to show us how the criminals came together and set up their plan. These jumps are always easy to follow, although I do think there is a small timeline glitch at one point. The final third takes place in the same day and it is hot page turning action. One aspect of the climax didn’t sit well with me, but I think that’s more about me. Walker and Sharpe can be a bit cliché, but they become more developed as the book proceeds. As usual for this author, some of his humor doesn’t work for me, and this isn’t one of my cozies, so keep that in mind when you pick it up. Overall, this is a great new series debut from a reliably enjoyable author.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Ashes Never Lie in Books

Nov 29, 2024 (Updated Nov 29, 2024)  
Ashes Never Lie
Ashes Never Lie
Lee Goldberg | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Team Ups are Hot
When a new house burns down before the new owners can move in, the fire department is ready to chalk it up to faulty wiring. But arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker think something else is going on. Before they can fully investigate that case, they are pulled to another arson, but the evidence just points to a bigger mystery. Teaming up with homicide detective Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, can the four figure out either case?

As a fan of Lee’s other books, I really enjoyed seeing Eve and Duncan pop up in this book. If you haven’t met them before, no need to worry, you’ll easily follow their characters here. Meanwhile, it was nice to get to know Sharpe and Walker more in their second case, this time told from Walker’s third person point of view. Something about the set up didn’t quite work for me, but once the book got rolling, I was hooked all the way to the over the top but still fun climax. We get a little bit of language and crude humor here, but it is kept to a minimum. On the other hand, there are lots of jokes and teasing that I did enjoy. Overall, this is another winner you’ll have a hard time putting down.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Send in the Clowns in Books

Oct 12, 2024 (Updated Oct 12, 2024)  
Send in the Clowns
Send in the Clowns
Julie Mulhern | 2016 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Killer Clown in a Haunted House
Being at the local haunted house wasn’t Ellison’s choice for a Sunday night activity. But as she finds herself navigating the various rooms, she finds a room with two clowns. Ellison already isn’t a fan of clowns, but she quickly realizes that one of the clowns was just stabbed, and he dies in her arms after asking for Ellison’s help by name. When Ellison returns with help, she finds the room completely empty. Who was the victim? More importantly, who was the other clown?

I’d let too long go between visits with Ellison, but it was great to be back in her presence. The returning characters are fun, and I’m not minding the love triangle yet. The plot started out quickly and the pace never lagged. The ending was weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer all our questions. I didn’t enjoy a couple of the elements rooting in the changing times of the 70’s. One of them definitely takes the book outside of cozy territory. On the other hand, I loved the little details that put us in that decade. And the humor continues to entertain. This is a great book to read in October for the seasonal feels, but you’ll enjoy it any time of the year you pick it up.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Fallen Star in Books

Nov 26, 2025 (Updated Nov 26, 2025)  
Fallen Star
Fallen Star
Lee Goldberg | 2025 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Body in a Barrel
LA County Sheriff Detective Eve Ronin and her partner are called to the scene of a body found in the Malibu Lagoon. Of course, it couldn’t be a body floating in the water. That would be too easy. In this case, the body was found floating in a fifty-five-gallon drum. What’s even more shocking is that Eve recognizing the victim. With his ties to some of the most powerful people in the county, can she find the killer without getting impacted by the politics of the case?

This book does contain some heavy spoilers for earlier stories in the series by necessity, but there is enough background you could jump in here. And what a wild ride it is. The plot spins in some unexpected directions, but I believed it all on the way to the logical climax. The characters are a little thin, but I do care about them. And I appreciate the depth we did get for Eve. The banter between the characters was fun, and the locker room humor was kept to a minimum. The violence was a little more than in the books I typically read. I’m ready for the next already, and fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up.