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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Flavia has been sent to Canada and Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy for the fall 1951 term. She is very upset about being sent away from her family in England, but things definitely start looking up when a dead body falls out of her chimney on her first morning there. Who was the corpse? And who at the school is a killer?
Since this book takes place away from Flavia’s normal stomping grounds, it is easy to miss the series regulars. However, this book is filled with wonderful new supporting players. The book starts a little slowly as we are introduced to everyone, but soon we are caught in quite an interesting web that also advances the storyline introduced in the last book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-as-chimney-sweepers-come-to.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since this book takes place away from Flavia’s normal stomping grounds, it is easy to miss the series regulars. However, this book is filled with wonderful new supporting players. The book starts a little slowly as we are introduced to everyone, but soon we are caught in quite an interesting web that also advances the storyline introduced in the last book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-as-chimney-sweepers-come-to.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Nun Too Soon (Giulia Driscoll #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Driscoll Investigations already has a full plate when Giulia is offered the case of the Silk Tie Killer. Roger Fitch, the accused, maintains that he is innocent of killing his girlfriend, and Giulia has a hard time walking away from an underdog. Is he truly innocent? There are certainly enough suspects, but can she figure it out?
I absolutely loved this book! Giulia and the other series regulars are a complete delight, and their teasing and bantered kept me grinning and smiling. The case has some nice twists, and the suspects were memorable no matter how much page time they had. This book tends toward the darker end of the cozy spectrum, but it was completely enjoyable.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-nun-too-soon-by-alice.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I absolutely loved this book! Giulia and the other series regulars are a complete delight, and their teasing and bantered kept me grinning and smiling. The case has some nice twists, and the suspects were memorable no matter how much page time they had. This book tends toward the darker end of the cozy spectrum, but it was completely enjoyable.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-nun-too-soon-by-alice.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated The Big Chili (Undercover Dish Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Lilah Drake has a fairly successful business secretly creating dishes for clients to claim as their own. When one of the dishes she created for a client is used to poison someone, Lilah must find the killer before her cover is blown.
I loved the idea behind this mystery, but the execution wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. The characters are a bit on the cartoony side early on, although they do get fleshed out as the book progresses. On the other hand, the story slows down before we get the satisfying climax. Also, the romantic sub-plot feels clumsy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-big-chili-by-julia-buckley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the idea behind this mystery, but the execution wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. The characters are a bit on the cartoony side early on, although they do get fleshed out as the book progresses. On the other hand, the story slows down before we get the satisfying climax. Also, the romantic sub-plot feels clumsy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-big-chili-by-julia-buckley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Kneading to Die (Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Stan has just moved to a small Connecticut town and is taking her cat to the only bet in town for the first time when she finds Carole's dead body on the floor. The vet wasn't well loved, but with the police and local gossip focusing on her as the killer, she needs to act fast to find out who really killed the vet.
I certainly enjoyed this debut. The pets were absolutely charming if not always well behaved. Stan was a refreshing change of pace for a main character because she reacts more realistically to what is happening to her than many main characters do. The plot could have been stronger, but overall it was still entertaining.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-kneading-to-die-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I certainly enjoyed this debut. The pets were absolutely charming if not always well behaved. Stan was a refreshing change of pace for a main character because she reacts more realistically to what is happening to her than many main characters do. The plot could have been stronger, but overall it was still entertaining.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-kneading-to-die-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Reading Up a Storm (Lighthouse Library Mystery #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Reading Up a Storm focuses more on characters outside of the library staff than the first two novels in the series, and Lucy has a new friend in this one who is accused of murder. Of course she doesn't trust that the police will see past her friend Stephanie's apparent motive for the crime, and is soon getting herself into trouble asking questions and trying to solve the case by herself. She probably figured it out long before I did, but it was gratifying to find that the killer was the person I suspected, for once.
And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Snowman (2017) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018 (Updated Feb 11, 2018)
Where was Aled Jones?!
Misfiring Scandi crime thriller which was part of Michael Fassbender's attempt to appear in as many dud movies as possible in 2017. There's a serial killer on the loose and a brilliant detective with a troubled personal life (gee, where do they think of these new ideas?) gets on the case.
The film's plot is really lacking in focus and it engages in the usual casual misogyny that seems to be perfectly acceptable on-screen; a baffling subplot featuring flashbacks with Val Kilmer is arguably a mistake (then again, this film is not exactly short of mis-steps). The film's pretensions to be a serious drama are not much helped by the extent to which the Magic Wand of Improbable Coincidences has been waved over the script. It is all a bit grim and muddled.
The film's plot is really lacking in focus and it engages in the usual casual misogyny that seems to be perfectly acceptable on-screen; a baffling subplot featuring flashbacks with Val Kilmer is arguably a mistake (then again, this film is not exactly short of mis-steps). The film's pretensions to be a serious drama are not much helped by the extent to which the Magic Wand of Improbable Coincidences has been waved over the script. It is all a bit grim and muddled.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Twister (1996) in Movies
Jun 10, 2018
I miss Bill Paxton
Bill was remarkable in the range of characters he played throughout his career. Whether it was the obnoxious big brother in Weird Science, the annoy Corporal Hudson in Aliens, or a demon killer in the amazing Frailty, he had dynamic range and energy and he is sorely missed.
Twister is one of those films you can't help watch when it is on even if you have seen many times. Yeah, a lot of the acting is over the top, especially with the "evil" storm chasers, how dare they take corporate money!?!
The storm sequences make up for it though with many intense scenes that make you want to run and hide in your seat.
Bill seems to hold things together, though, as he always does.
I miss him.
Twister is one of those films you can't help watch when it is on even if you have seen many times. Yeah, a lot of the acting is over the top, especially with the "evil" storm chasers, how dare they take corporate money!?!
The storm sequences make up for it though with many intense scenes that make you want to run and hide in your seat.
Bill seems to hold things together, though, as he always does.
I miss him.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated When You Have To Go There in Books
Sep 16, 2018
Detective Lipscomb is a very strong character. Finding herself the scapegoat of all that has gone wrong on a previous case, she ends up being right at the centre of another high profile serial murder case but this isn't your ordinary serial killer; the victims are Helen's colleagues and it will take all her police know-how to solve the case whilst being under the microscope of the top brass who are just waiting for an excuse to get rid of her.
Written at a perfect pace with a great story line and tense moments, this is a good read that I would recommend.
I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author after having previously read and reviewed a couple of his previous books - The Group and The Litter - which I thoroughly enjoyed and this one was no different.
Written at a perfect pace with a great story line and tense moments, this is a good read that I would recommend.
I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author after having previously read and reviewed a couple of his previous books - The Group and The Litter - which I thoroughly enjoyed and this one was no different.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Hell Fest (2018) in Movies
Jan 7, 2019
Just ok
While I love horror movies, i'm more of a "creature feature" fan than a "slasher flick" one. That being said this one turned out pretty decent. It brings back to mind some of the slasher films of the eighties. The acting was decent and the effects were ok. The concept was pretty good- some friends go to a horror themed park (like many towns have on Halloween) and a killer is hiding in the midst. If you enjoy movies like "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th" you'll enjoy this one, too. The ending was a little weird, but, as with most of these types of films, left it open for a sequel (and knowing Hollywood, there will probably be one). Overall, this was an entertaining horror film that gives you what you expect. Worth a watch.
Watchman (19 KP) rated Beast (2017) in Movies
Jan 9, 2019 (Updated Feb 15, 2019)
Outstanding acting (1 more)
Unpredictable
A chilling fairytale
A girl with a dark past, the black sheep of the family with a perfect sister, a strict, overbearing mother and an ill father, starts a red-blooded affair with a local boy, an enigma with history of run ins with the law.... and now a suspect in the worst of crimes.
Set in the gorgeously filmed isle of Jersey, Michael Pearce has directed on his debut a real nail biter. This take on the search for a serial killer of young girls, intertwined with a forbidden love story is an uncomfortable, disturbing watch at times.... but hypnotic. And newcomer Jessie Buckley is mesmerising, its hard to take your eyes off her.
Brilliant script, plot, pacing and ominous soundtrack.
A must watch for any fan of dark psychological thrillers.
Set in the gorgeously filmed isle of Jersey, Michael Pearce has directed on his debut a real nail biter. This take on the search for a serial killer of young girls, intertwined with a forbidden love story is an uncomfortable, disturbing watch at times.... but hypnotic. And newcomer Jessie Buckley is mesmerising, its hard to take your eyes off her.
Brilliant script, plot, pacing and ominous soundtrack.
A must watch for any fan of dark psychological thrillers.