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***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Krissy Hancock has moved to Pine Hills with her best friend to open a coffee and book shop, Death by Coffee. When business doesn’t pick up right away, Krissy is concerned that it could be due to the death of a man who works in the building across the street – a man who had come in for a cup of coffee just minutes before his death. Determined to find the killer in order to squelch rumors that Death by Coffee may actually be serving tainted coffee, Krissy conducts her own investigation.

This was a well plotted and well written mystery, but I did have trouble believing people would tell Krissy as much as they did, with her confrontational way of interrogating her suspects.

The story was entertaining though, and cozy mystery fans should enjoy it.
  
This is the third book in the Webb’s Glass Shop mystery series. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, don’t worry. You’ll be able to catch on to who’s who and what’s happening easily enough that you can jump right in at this point without feeling lost.

I love the glass-making theme of this cozy series. The process is fascinating, and you can almost see the work being done from the vivid descriptions in the book. It’s not all about the glass, though, and luckily Savannah has a great group of friends and colleagues to help her out when things get ugly. With another death in town, she needs them to help her track down a killer. This was a great addition to a fun series.

<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.</i>
  
Death of a Ghost (Hamish Macbeth, #32)
Death of a Ghost (Hamish Macbeth, #32)
M.C. Beaton | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is good classic Hamish Macbeth. If you are a fan of the series already, then you won't be disappointed. If not, I think you could easily pick this one up and enjoy it as a stand-alone mystery without having read the previous books.

Called to the village of Drim to investigate claims of a "haunted" castle, Hamish and Charlie discover no ghosts, but they do find a dead body. Unfortunately it disappears before CDI Blair arrives on the scene. When the investigation points to local smugglers, the department is quick to wrap up the case. Hamish is not convinced, however, and puts his own life on the line to find the real killer.

Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/02/03/review-death-of-a-ghost-by-m-c-beaton/">The Book's the Thing</a>.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
  
International intrigue, false identities, and a very clever cat will keep you guessing right up to the last moment of this cozy mystery. While meeting with a museum director to discuss a catering job, Nora finds herself also tasked with finding the director’s long lost niece and heir. When she isn’t running her sandwich shop, Hot Bread, Nora also spends some of her time looking into the disappearance of her cat Nick’s former owner, a detective who has been missing for some time. As cryptic messages come in, she eventually realizes that the two cases may be connected in some way. She just has to find the connection before the killer finds her!

Crime and Catnip is book #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but even without having read the earlier two installments, I had no trouble figuring out who was who or what was going on.
  
GF
Get Fluffy (Pampered Pets Mystery #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Mel gets stuck with Fluffy, the famous dog of Mona Michaels, all Mel wants to do is return the dog. However, when the two arrive at Mona’s mansion, Mona has been murdered. Mel wants to stay out of the investigation, but she keeps learning things that the point her toward the killer. Will she solve the crime?

I wanted to get to book two in this series soon to meet Mel, the cousin of the main character in the first in the series. This book was just as delightful as that first one. We get a mostly new cast of characters, who are all very strong. The mystery is great with lots of secrets and surprises on the way to the logical conclusion. And the antics of the pets in the book are delightfully fun.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-get-fluffy-by-sparkle-abbey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Midwife Sarah Brandt is returning to visit a mother and newborn when she learns there has been a death at the home. A boarder was strangled during the night, and it turns out this is the younger sister of someone she knew years ago. Determined to see justice done, Sarah teams up with the very reluctant Frank Malloy, the detective assigned to the case, to find the killer.

This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Rillington Place
Rillington Place
2016 | Crime, Drama, History
9
7.9 (10 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Unnerving factual crime drama
I watched this last night as it has made its way onto netflix. Based on real life events in the 1940s surrounding an infamous UK serial killer. Having a strong curiosity and interest in serial killers I thought I would give this a go.
I have not been disappointed,John Christie is an individual I have read a lot about and I feel this show really shows him in a disturbing way. It shows how his relationships are affected and formed while he manipulates people to ensure he is in control of every situation.
Tim Roth as John Christie is impressive, his acting brings John Christie back to life. There is always a feeling of fear and uncertainty, as Tim Roth develops his character in a way that shows how calculating he was.
One of the best shows I have watched in a while, luckily only a 3 parter so I didn't have to pull an all nighter!
  
“K” is for Killer
Sue Grafton | 1994 | Mystery
9
9.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kinsey Faces a Daunting Case
PI Kinsey Millhone’s latest case is a cold one. Lorna Kepler has been dead for 10 months, and when she died she had been dead for two weeks before she was found, so the police couldn’t even determine the cause of death. As Kinsey begins to investigate, she realizes that Lorna had a completely secret life, and the investigation causes Kinsey to become a night owl like Lorna was. Will following her footsteps lead to her killer?

This is another great mystery. The cold case quality leads to some interesting complications to the investigation. Lorna’s life included some things that don’t normally pop up in my cozies, but we didn’t get gratuitous detail, which I appreciated. The ending was a bit rushed, but that’s a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the other series characters, but Kinsey is fantastic as always, and the book is populated with real people that draw us into the story.
  
Smiley (2012)
Smiley (2012)
2012 | Horror
Interesting twist to the ending (0 more)
The ending couldn't save the rest of the movie (3 more)
Cliche plot you have seen before
Bad acting
Annoying characters
The internet's bloody mary
This was a terrible movie

Bloody mary meets unfriended? It feels like a typical supernatural slasher you have seen plenty of times.

None of the characters are likeable, if anything they are actually annoying right from the first start especially the main girl. Again there is no logic, it's not creepy or gory and I found it just boring.
Don't get me wrong I love urban legends when it is done right.

The killer was not designed well, not shown enough and not creepy enough. Only a few deaths that were not scary or gory.

I couldn't wait for this movie to end but I'm happy I watched it so that you don't have to. It was paced horribly and even a good twist at the end couldn't save this movie.
  
Burned (Burned, #1)
Burned (Burned, #1)
Ellen Hopkins | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Where does one begin when trying to explain the overwhelming admiration they have for this book.

I loved that I could not only relate to the character on her views on religion, sex, gender roles, and romance, but, also the fact that the author never makes light of the abuse or sexualization of women in this novel.

This leaves you pondering what you would do in Pattyn's place. I couldn't help but root for her despite her turning into a cold stone killer at the end of the novel.

This gives you a better understanding of people in abusive relationships and how it affects those associated with it. It not only showcases different levels of abuse (whether it's sexual, verbal, or physical) but also shows you the raw painful aftermath that the abuse victims face.

This book was brilliantly written and I recommend this to anyone who can stomach it's horrific content of abuse.