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Cold Justice
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GRIPPING AND FAST-PACED CRIME FICTION FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FROZEN GRAVE AND COLD KILLERS....
Death in the Dordogne: Bruno, Chief of Police 1
Martin Walker and Quercus
Book
EU inspectors are causing havoc in St Denis and local tempers are running high, but is it really...
Full Dark House
Book
When a bomb devastates the office of London's most unusual police unit and claims the life of its...
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Becky (2020) in Movies
Jun 24, 2020
Soooo....yeah
I have been a Kevin James fan since the day that I first saw him. I think he's very funny in both his stand up and in his feature films. I've heard through the years murmurs that he was a hack actor and all the other tropes you hear from people who just want to complain in life. Let me tell you something, Kevin James is NOT a hack actor.
When I saw previews for this movie some time ago I was super intrigued as it looked like a far cry from what I'm used to seeing Kevin James star in. Months later when the movie popped into my newly available section in my digital library I thought it was time to give it a go and see what what really going on.
This movie is as far from a "normal" Kevin James role as you can possibly get. Relatively predictable. But wicked unexpected. Joel McHale (whom I've actually been moderately impressed with lately in smaller, more serious roles) also stars in what I can only describe as a thriller on steroids. It kind of reminds me of the movie Hanna if Hanna hadn't been a trained killer and was just doing things based on sheer anger and hatred.
Be warned, there are parts of this movie that are incredibly graphic. But all in all it's wild ride down the rabbit hole.
When I saw previews for this movie some time ago I was super intrigued as it looked like a far cry from what I'm used to seeing Kevin James star in. Months later when the movie popped into my newly available section in my digital library I thought it was time to give it a go and see what what really going on.
This movie is as far from a "normal" Kevin James role as you can possibly get. Relatively predictable. But wicked unexpected. Joel McHale (whom I've actually been moderately impressed with lately in smaller, more serious roles) also stars in what I can only describe as a thriller on steroids. It kind of reminds me of the movie Hanna if Hanna hadn't been a trained killer and was just doing things based on sheer anger and hatred.
Be warned, there are parts of this movie that are incredibly graphic. But all in all it's wild ride down the rabbit hole.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Heatwave in Books
Jun 25, 2020
Stand-alone novel by the author of the D.S. Imogen Grey series
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Katerina Diamond, the author of the D.S. Imogen Grey series, is back with a new stand-alone novel, The Heatwave. I read Truth or Die, book #5 of her series, and was looking forward to reading The Heatwave as soon as I read the description
"The heatwave is back. And so is the killer."
Felicity fled her town and her life, determined not to return. That is until sixteen years later, and a second girl went missing. She holds the answers to what happened to the first girl and is determined to find the second before it is too late.
Diamond hooked me from the beginning. The book is 400 pages, but it was such a page-turner it felt much shorter.
As with all thrillers, there are twists, turns, and surprise reveals. The Heatwave kept me guessing until the very end. I thought I had figured everything out, but I was so wrong. After going back over the story, I realized I picked up on many of them but could not piece them all together correctly.
Goodreads does not list any other upcoming books of Katerina Diamond but added her to my "authors to read" list to keep watch for them.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/25/20.
Katerina Diamond, the author of the D.S. Imogen Grey series, is back with a new stand-alone novel, The Heatwave. I read Truth or Die, book #5 of her series, and was looking forward to reading The Heatwave as soon as I read the description
"The heatwave is back. And so is the killer."
Felicity fled her town and her life, determined not to return. That is until sixteen years later, and a second girl went missing. She holds the answers to what happened to the first girl and is determined to find the second before it is too late.
Diamond hooked me from the beginning. The book is 400 pages, but it was such a page-turner it felt much shorter.
As with all thrillers, there are twists, turns, and surprise reveals. The Heatwave kept me guessing until the very end. I thought I had figured everything out, but I was so wrong. After going back over the story, I realized I picked up on many of them but could not piece them all together correctly.
Goodreads does not list any other upcoming books of Katerina Diamond but added her to my "authors to read" list to keep watch for them.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/25/20.
Dave Mustaine recommended Cheap Trick At Budokan by Cheap Trick in Music (curated)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I've been eyeing this book for a long time. I was having one of those Am-I-going-to-like-this-if-I-buy-it? moments. And then I found it in paperback quite cheap on a book site so I took the plunge.
This starts with Jane going to New Orleans to meet a vampire client who asks her to take down a rogue vampire that has been killing and eating people and just leaving what's left of them in the street. It's the first time Jane has ever met a sane vampire and she's not sure what to make of her at first and meets a mix of characters as she hunts down the rogue killer.
I did like this but as a reader of romances, I did feel this lacked it a lot. There's some flirting going on but nothing concrete. That's not to say I didn't get dragged into the story. I was as intrigued with finding out who the rogue was and how they were managing to get away all the time.
Jane was a strong character and I enjoyed seeing inside her mind and how she dealt with Beast when she turned into her cat form.
We had a handful of secondary characters like Rick, Jodi, Leo and Bruiser - George - that I grew to like and I'm intrigued how Jane's relationship with them will grow in future books.
I'm intrigued enough to continue the series at some point.
This starts with Jane going to New Orleans to meet a vampire client who asks her to take down a rogue vampire that has been killing and eating people and just leaving what's left of them in the street. It's the first time Jane has ever met a sane vampire and she's not sure what to make of her at first and meets a mix of characters as she hunts down the rogue killer.
I did like this but as a reader of romances, I did feel this lacked it a lot. There's some flirting going on but nothing concrete. That's not to say I didn't get dragged into the story. I was as intrigued with finding out who the rogue was and how they were managing to get away all the time.
Jane was a strong character and I enjoyed seeing inside her mind and how she dealt with Beast when she turned into her cat form.
We had a handful of secondary characters like Rick, Jodi, Leo and Bruiser - George - that I grew to like and I'm intrigued how Jane's relationship with them will grow in future books.
I'm intrigued enough to continue the series at some point.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Murder by Page One in Books
Mar 24, 2021
Murder of a Debut Author
Marvey Harris has recently relocated to Peach Coast, Georgia, to take a job in the local library. Among her new friends is Jo Gomez. Jo owns the local bookstore, and this Saturday, Marvey is at the store to support Jo, who is hosting a book signing for the local authors group. When one of the authors fails to return from the storeroom, Jo and Marvey find her dead body on the floor. With the police looking at Jo, Marvey steps in to figure out what really happened. Can she find the killer?
This may be the first in the series, but I already feel right at home. Peach Coast sounds like a great town, and I love Marvey, Jo, and Spence, the third member of their trio. We never meet the victim alive, but I liked how well we got to know her as the story progressed. The rest of the cast could be a little better defined, but I’m sure that will come as the series progresses and they get more page time. The story starts quickly, but the pacing does slow a little in the middle. Still, the climax is logical and suspenseful. There’s a recipe for peach cobbler at the end. While not a culinary cozy, you’ll definitely be craving it by the time the book is over. I’m looking forward to returning to Peach Coast soon.
This may be the first in the series, but I already feel right at home. Peach Coast sounds like a great town, and I love Marvey, Jo, and Spence, the third member of their trio. We never meet the victim alive, but I liked how well we got to know her as the story progressed. The rest of the cast could be a little better defined, but I’m sure that will come as the series progresses and they get more page time. The story starts quickly, but the pacing does slow a little in the middle. Still, the climax is logical and suspenseful. There’s a recipe for peach cobbler at the end. While not a culinary cozy, you’ll definitely be craving it by the time the book is over. I’m looking forward to returning to Peach Coast soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Murder at Wedgefield Manor in Books
Apr 1, 2021 (Updated Apr 1, 2021)
Stop Over in England Leads to Murder
Jane Wunderly and her aunt Millie are spending some time at Wedgefield Manor as the guest of Lord Hughes on their way home to America. Jane is enjoying the quiet after their trip to Egypt, but she’s especially enjoying learning to fly. However, things get complicated quickly when the estate’s mechanic, Simon, dies in a motorcar accident. It is quickly ruled a murder, and Millie asks Jane to investigate. It seems everyone she talks to is hiding a secret. But who is the killer?
I enjoyed the first visit to 1926 with Jane, so it was a pleasure to meet up with her again. Jane is a strong lead, and I was impressed with how many of the characters from the first book were logically included here. All the characters are fun with great growth. The many secrets kept the plot moving and did a perfect job of keeping me confused until we got near the end. I did feel that the characters had some modern attitudes to some situations that came up, but it was a minor issue for me. If you haven’t read the first book, some of the character’s backstories are spoiled here, so if you care about that, you’ll want to read the books in order. I enjoyed my second visit with Jane, and I’m curious to see where she will wind up next.
I enjoyed the first visit to 1926 with Jane, so it was a pleasure to meet up with her again. Jane is a strong lead, and I was impressed with how many of the characters from the first book were logically included here. All the characters are fun with great growth. The many secrets kept the plot moving and did a perfect job of keeping me confused until we got near the end. I did feel that the characters had some modern attitudes to some situations that came up, but it was a minor issue for me. If you haven’t read the first book, some of the character’s backstories are spoiled here, so if you care about that, you’ll want to read the books in order. I enjoyed my second visit with Jane, and I’m curious to see where she will wind up next.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Tell-Tale Tarte in Books
Apr 9, 2021 (Updated Apr 9, 2021)
Impersonating Danger
A new year has started, and Val Deniston’s grandfather appears to be making some changes in his life. He’s updated his look, including a new haircut and new outfit. He claims it is for a new job he’s landed for his investigations business. Then Val is on the scene when a man dies at a nearby shopping center – a man who looks just like Grandfather does now thanks to his new look. The case soon points to Rick Usher, a local author who has made a career writing tales inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. Is Grandfather the next target of the killer? How does Rick play into the mystery?
I must confess, I know little about Poe (I feel like I should know more considering how much I love mysteries), but that wasn’t a hamper to enjoying this book. Poe lore is certainly a big part of the inspiration of the story, and bits and pieces of his life weave their way into the book. Even without that, we get a strong mystery with plenty of intrigue. I did feel the ending was a little weak, but it did wrap everything up. The characters are fun and continue to grow here. I’m especially interested to see where some of those relationships go in the future. We get six more five-ingredient recipes at the end. Whether you are a fan of Poe or not, this book will keep you guessing until the end.
I must confess, I know little about Poe (I feel like I should know more considering how much I love mysteries), but that wasn’t a hamper to enjoying this book. Poe lore is certainly a big part of the inspiration of the story, and bits and pieces of his life weave their way into the book. Even without that, we get a strong mystery with plenty of intrigue. I did feel the ending was a little weak, but it did wrap everything up. The characters are fun and continue to grow here. I’m especially interested to see where some of those relationships go in the future. We get six more five-ingredient recipes at the end. Whether you are a fan of Poe or not, this book will keep you guessing until the end.
