Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2605 KP) rated Essentials of Death in Books
Sep 23, 2025
It’s been a while since I read book one, but I didn’t have any trouble slipping back into Carissa’s world. I enjoyed the bonds the characters have, and the subplots that helped us get to know them better were great. The mystery itself started out a bit unevenly, with events driving things more than Carissa did. But as she began to take more of an active role, I got hooked, not wanting to put the book down. The ending was satisfying. And we get an essential oil recipe and an intriguing sounding cookie recipe. Here’s hoping we get to visit again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2605 KP) rated This Way to Murder in Books
Nov 13, 2025
This debut had some promise to it. I really did enjoy the main characters, for example. The supporting characters tended to blend together for me. While the letterboxing event was fun, I was expecting a bit more about the board game cafe instead of it being a subplot. The pacing for the mystery is a bit off, but things made sense when we reached the end. I’d consider giving a second in the series a chance, but I’d hope some of these kinks would be worked out.
Darkness Falls (Kate Marshall #3)
9.0
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Kate Marshall’s investigation into a journalist’s disappearance sends her down an unexpectedly...
Vice & Virtue (Parker City Mystery #2)
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Parker City, 1984… Three years after the Spring Strangler case rocked the historic Western...
Mystery
On Spine of Death
10.0
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2023 EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE, LILIAN JACKSON BRAUN PRIZE for Buried in a Good Book "In 'Keystone...
Merissa (14082 KP) rated Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
This is very well written and put together and will leave you wanting more. The love build-up is slow and steady, although the lust is instantaneous, which makes a nice change in this era of insta-love.
For a book on the darker side of romance suspense but with added dashes of humour and deep friendships then definitely give this one a go! Recommended.
* 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!
July 26, 2016
Curds of Prey
9.0
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In Korina Moss's Curds of Prey, murder again comes to Yarrow Glen, and cheesemonger Willa Bauer must...
Pearls Gone Wild
8.0
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Nacre Bleu! Amateur sleuth and fashion expert Samantha Kidd's life is finally on track. It's her...
Gingerdead Man
9.0
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When Santa is sleighed by a poison gingerbread cookie at a holiday party, Val Deniston's reputation...
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) in Movies
Dec 19, 2021
Is the second coming of the alien symbiote that focuses primarily on the angry and fragile friendship between Venom and Eddie Brock.
Eddie is still struggling to co-exist with the shape-shifting alien symbiote as well as the break up with his ex Ann (at least for now it would seem) and inserting the very distant and restrained relationship between serial killer Cletus Kasady and his childhood orphanage sweetheart (plot filler) as Cletus brings Carnage to life as they agree to kill Venom, which basically concludes the plot?
The story seems very empty as does Woody Harrelsons performance (unusual for WH)
but does also seem to work well regardless.
Tom Hardys performance is spot on again and the Communication between Venom and Eddie is hilarious throughout.
More fantastic special effects are there as expected and a decent end battle reminiscent to that of its predecessor that end this movie perfectly (post credit scene is awesome)