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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 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.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) in Movies
Oct 30, 2019
Aged but incredibly original and unsettling for it's time this slasher single handedly caused me a few sleepless nights due to its connection with sleep and dreams.
The serial killer with the unforgettable name who affects dreams and pushes into the real world was a horror story type unheard of back then and Robert Englund was quite menacing and genuinely frightening as Freddy and the bladed glove scraping along walls was a huge indicator that shit was going to hit the fan and someone was going to die.
If you are interested in this franchise then this classic is the one to see and not the confusing and muddled sequels that followed.
It delivers strongly on the fright even though the budget was quite low and changed the landscape of horror that had somewhat stalled at that time.
The serial killer with the unforgettable name who affects dreams and pushes into the real world was a horror story type unheard of back then and Robert Englund was quite menacing and genuinely frightening as Freddy and the bladed glove scraping along walls was a huge indicator that shit was going to hit the fan and someone was going to die.
If you are interested in this franchise then this classic is the one to see and not the confusing and muddled sequels that followed.
It delivers strongly on the fright even though the budget was quite low and changed the landscape of horror that had somewhat stalled at that time.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Before Watchmen: Rorschach in Books
Nov 22, 2019
Having already had as much of an origin story as I think we're likely to get, in the Nite Owl component of the series, this book serves as an additional story to show Rorschach in action alone.
The book demonstrates his determination to seek justice, despite everything thrown at him, which we see later in the Watchmen book proper.
Rorschach is determined to try and clean up the streets and seeks out the pimps and drug dealers he feels are responsible for the state of New York. This is in the midst of The Bard, a serial killer preying on women and writing poetry on their bodies. Interestingly, these two stories work in parallel, Rorschach only catching up to deal out justice in the final pages. This goes against the reader's expectations and was a nice contra-twist.
The book demonstrates his determination to seek justice, despite everything thrown at him, which we see later in the Watchmen book proper.
Rorschach is determined to try and clean up the streets and seeks out the pimps and drug dealers he feels are responsible for the state of New York. This is in the midst of The Bard, a serial killer preying on women and writing poetry on their bodies. Interestingly, these two stories work in parallel, Rorschach only catching up to deal out justice in the final pages. This goes against the reader's expectations and was a nice contra-twist.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I need to start by saying that I am focussing so hard on not using swear words to describe this book.
I was looking forward to a murder mystery style book with nuclear apocalyptic themes as both of those are things I find very interesting- but it was more like a bored man's diary where he constantly inserts subtle brags about how much of a ladies man he is or how strong of a leader he is (which he isn't. He rarely ever took charge in a situation.) The main character is unlikable.
You spend the whole book telling yourself that 'anytime now, something is going to happen', and it's not until the last 10 pages or so that anything does.
And the ending... The reveal about who was the actual killer... I'm sorry, but: What the f*ck.
I was looking forward to a murder mystery style book with nuclear apocalyptic themes as both of those are things I find very interesting- but it was more like a bored man's diary where he constantly inserts subtle brags about how much of a ladies man he is or how strong of a leader he is (which he isn't. He rarely ever took charge in a situation.) The main character is unlikable.
You spend the whole book telling yourself that 'anytime now, something is going to happen', and it's not until the last 10 pages or so that anything does.
And the ending... The reveal about who was the actual killer... I'm sorry, but: What the f*ck.