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8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first in a historical mystery series set during the US Exploration Expedition of the early 1800's. Wiki Coffin, half New Zealander half American, is hired to be a linguist. But the night before they sail, Wiki finds a boat with a dead body inside. The woman was murdered, and there is reason to believe that the killer is with the expedition, especially when another body turns up. The historic details slowed the book down at times, but on the whole I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the trip back in time.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-watery-grave-by-joan-druett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Piper thinks a booth at the local fair will be just the thing to get her new pickling business off the ground. However, the second morning, she finds a man dead in her pickle barrel. Can she figure out who the killer is?

The characters in this new series are wonderful, and I was drawn to them almost immediately. The plot was a bit uneven, but the climax was strong and logical. I will definitely be back for the second one.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-pickled-piper-by-mary-ellen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
This Fallen Prey (Casey Duncan, #3)
This Fallen Prey (Casey Duncan, #3)
Kelley Armstrong | 2018 | Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kelley Armstrong is a cruel, evil woman.

This Fallen Prey takes you on a rollercoaster as Casey tells you all about the day the Council drops a dangerous serial killer into Rockton without any advance warning.

What you get from that point on is a crazy edge of the seat ride as you try and figure out whether he's really what the council have claimed, or if there's something deeper and more complex going on. With betrayals and deaths and twists that just keep you turning the pages, the third book of the Casey Duncan series does not disappoint.

It does leave us with a minor cliffhanger.. and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
  
All Signs Point to Murder (Zodiac Mystery #2)
All Signs Point to Murder (Zodiac Mystery #2)
Connie di Marco | 2017 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
After attending her old friend GenevaÂ’s wedding, Julia becomes embroiled in a terrible family tragedy. GenevaÂ’s younger sister is killed the night of the wedding, and her brother-in-law may be to blame. Was it an accident, or something more sinister? Julia is determined to find out before the strain of the situation tears her friendÂ’s family apart. Julia uses both her brain and her astrological charts to help her track down a killer. Full of suspects and secrets, All Signs Point to Murder is a quick-paced, suspenseful, and entertaining mystery.

NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Netgalley. All thoughts or opinions expressed are my own.
  
DH
Deadly Heat (Nikki Heat, #5)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nikki is juggling two cases. She's working a serial killer leaving a weird clue to tie his murders together when someone connected with her mother's murder case tries to kill her. Can she juggle both while dodging bureaucratic red tape?

As usual, the writing is a bit hard to get into, but once I do, I get lost in the story. The characters could be a bit better developed as well. Honestly, both are minor flaws because I have fun with this book. Very creative tie in, and I am already looking forward to the next one.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-deadly-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Into the Light (The Light, #1)
Into the Light (The Light, #1)
Aleatha Romig | 2016 | Thriller
10
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
WOW, I didn't see that coming!? Yet another incredible book from Aleatha and completely different from anything she has done before! I truly had no idea where this story was going and just when I think I did, she twists the story yet again... Sara wakes up remembering nothing, in a world she has no recollection of and a husband who is determined to bring her back into "The Light". So many crazy twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out where the story heads next... and after that killer cliffhanger ending, I'm sure we're all DYING to get our hands on the next book!? HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended read!!
  
The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
2018 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
Well done
This low budget thriller was quite the find. It's a very thought provoking, emotionally stirring tale about a teenage boy who starts to realize that his "all american dad" might be a serial killer. The acting was good and the cinematography was decent enough. The story was the shining glory here. It unfolded beautifully and is a wonderful example of how a movie can be EXTREMELY good even without a big Hollywood budget. Everything fell into place perfectly throughout and it even had a bit of a twist at the end. Nothing too gory or flashy in this one but I highly recommend it. Especially if you're into "true crime" style movies. Worth a watch!
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Womaneater (1957) in Movies

Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Jun 22, 2019)  
Womaneater (1957)
Womaneater (1957)
1957 | Horror
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Minor entry in the annals of British botanical horror proves that Orson Welles wasn't the only one whose career took a nosedive after Citizen Kane. George Coulouris does the best he can as a scientist so mad he thinks you should keep trees in a basement, but you can see the melancholy in his eyes throughout.

Essentially an attempt to transplant, or in this case re-pot, the US Z-movie horror formula to a British context, but this just makes the results weirder rather than appreciably better. Fabulous insights into assumptions about gender politics and other cultures, obviously. The killer tree itself will linger in your memory, though not in the way the film-makers would have hoped.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Scream - Season 1 in TV

Oct 29, 2019  
Scream  - Season 1
Scream - Season 1
2015 | Horror
Lots of elements similar to the films (0 more)
No Ghostface (0 more)
A very good Slasher series
I finally got round to seeing this series. I'm a big fan of Scream so it's interesting to see how this compares. It's very good and feels like the film in many ways. Wes Craven was an executive producer, so that probably helped.
Self aware as always and even mentions the difficulty of doing a slasher series. It maintains momentum quite well. There are plenty of twists and red herrings as to who the killer is. Maybe could have been a couple of episodes shorter. Overall though if you are a fan of the film you should enjoy this.
  
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot.

I am Groot,

We are Groot.

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Initially viewed as one of the riskier entries into mnarvel's (then) expanding cinematic universe starring, as it did, a talking raccoon and a talking tree and taking its inspiration form one of the lesser-known Marvel comics (admit it, who'd heard of them prior to this film? Unlike, say, Captain America?) this proved to be one of its biggest hits and made a star of Chris Pratt (as Peter Quill, aka StarLord), helped - in no small part - by a killer soundtrack, a bit of comedic leanings and - of course - by the brilliant Groot!

Not quite as good as Baby Groot from the sequel, though ...