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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated Smile Beach Murder in Books
May 26, 2022
Murder at the Lighthouse
After being laid off from her job as a reporter, Callie Padget has returned home to Cattail Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and landed a job at the local bookstore. She is forced to face a tragedy from her past when a friend falls from the island’s lighthouse almost on the anniversary of her own mother’s tragic death at the lighthouse. Callie doesn’t buy the official police ruling of suicide, especially since the victim had just found the first clue to a treasure hunt. Can Callie figure out what really happened? Is the treasure hunt related to the death?
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Merissa (13654 KP) rated The Enemy to the Living (The Wild Hunt #2) in Books
Sep 26, 2025
THE ENEMY TO THE LIVING is the second book in The Wild Hunt series, a spin-off from the Monsters of London series. I really recommend you read that series before embarking on this one, as the characters here are dealing with the consequences of what happened there.
This is Quinn and Asher's story. Quinn, we know quite well, but Asher has been a character of mystery up until now. Quinn is dealing with some heavy-duty emotions, which in turn lead to his wolf going AWOL. Asher is doing his job with the Hunt when he spots Quinn in a fighting cage. This seems to wake up all kinds of protective instincts in Asher. Will he be able to help Quinn before the fae take what they feel they are owed?
This was a great addition to the series, with emotions running high from beginning to end. I loved the way both Quinn and Asher provided what the other needed almost instinctively, with no fanfare, but just by being there. The little insights they had about each other were also good to read.
Told from both perspectives, this was a medium-paced, smooth read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Sep 26, 2025
This is Quinn and Asher's story. Quinn, we know quite well, but Asher has been a character of mystery up until now. Quinn is dealing with some heavy-duty emotions, which in turn lead to his wolf going AWOL. Asher is doing his job with the Hunt when he spots Quinn in a fighting cage. This seems to wake up all kinds of protective instincts in Asher. Will he be able to help Quinn before the fae take what they feel they are owed?
This was a great addition to the series, with emotions running high from beginning to end. I loved the way both Quinn and Asher provided what the other needed almost instinctively, with no fanfare, but just by being there. The little insights they had about each other were also good to read.
Told from both perspectives, this was a medium-paced, smooth read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Sep 26, 2025
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Jackal (1997) in Movies
Apr 30, 2018
Finally got round to seeing this, been meaning to for years! This is a very enjoyable action/thriller centered around a hunt for an elusive hitman. The emphasis is definitely on the action, seeing Willis go through about 10 different looks as a master of disguise was fun. The tension builds as the day of the hit gets closer, will the FBI and Russian agents be able to stop him? This has a great cast including Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and even Jack Black makes an early film appearance. The whole Manhunt, assassin films have been done bigger and better since this was made. However this is still a classy enjoyable film.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Zero Dark Thirty (2013) in Movies
Jan 27, 2018
Persistence (2 more)
Compelling story
Jessica Chastain
If you lived in the USA after 9/11, the fact that Osama bin Laden was alive was like an open wound. Many Americans felt like there would never be closure to the events at the World Trade Center until he was brought to justice.
The sheer persistence of the CIA and the Justice Department in never giving up even after years of trying to hunt him down and tragedy within their own ranks is a testament to American will, drive and ambition.
Whatever your personal feelings on torture, this film walks the line of being objective and lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Very compelling film.
The sheer persistence of the CIA and the Justice Department in never giving up even after years of trying to hunt him down and tragedy within their own ranks is a testament to American will, drive and ambition.
Whatever your personal feelings on torture, this film walks the line of being objective and lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Very compelling film.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle (Mrs Pollifax #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mrs. Pollifax and her husband Cyrus are hours away from a vacation to Thailand when Bishop shows up asking if they could possibly make one small detour for the CIA. Of course, things go wildly wrong when Cyrus is kidnapped and Mrs. Pollifax has to hunt for him with a man she doesn't trust. The plot to this one is a little different. The scenes with Bishop and Carstairs drive it more than Mrs. Pollifax's action does. As a result, it's not as good as the classic books in the series, but it's still fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-mrs-pollifax-and-golden.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-mrs-pollifax-and-golden.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated A Star-Reckoner's Lot (A Star-Reckoner's Legacy, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
A Star-Reckoner's Lot was unlike anything I have read before. This story was part historical fiction, part fantasy, and all adventure. I was not at all familiar with pre-Islamic Iranian culture and lore before reading this book. The author didn't waste words on excessive description, or spell everything out for the reader, but it was easy enough to figure out what was going on just by following Ashtadukht, Tirdadin, and Waray across the sands as they hunt for the mystical being that killed Ashtadukht's husband. Fantasy lovers, historical fiction fans, and anyone who likes a good story should really enjoy this book.
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</I>.
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</I>.
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