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Dirty Heart (Cole McGinnis #6)
9.0
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Final book in the Dirty Series arc. Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the...
Contemporary MM Romance Crime Mystery Suspense
The Quiet Tenant
6.0
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Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate town...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2680 KP) rated Muddled Matrimonial Murder in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Dead Stalker
Not only is Thanksgiving approaching, and with it lots of orders for cupcakes that caterer Emory Martinez must fulfill, but she’s also working on the wedding of her best friend, Brad, to Gabe. The road to the wedding is going to be rocky, however, as Gabe seems to be having the worst case of cold feet imaginable. Then Brad and Emory find the body of a woman at the wedding venue. The victim is Brad’s stalker, whom he hasn’t seen in years and didn’t even know was in the area. With the police looking at the grooms as the prime suspects, Emory must add finding a killer to her to do list.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2680 KP) rated Murder at Sea in Books
May 31, 2023 (Updated Jun 21, 2023)
Set Sail for Eight Fun – and Deadly – Cruises
For this entry in the Destination Murders short story anthologies, the writers are sending their sleuths on cruises. Of course, no vacation in this series is without a hiccup and dead body or two. From Norway to Italy and Seattle, and from budget cruise lines to luxury yachts, the sleuths must deal with the unexpected when a killer decides that the sea is the perfect time to strike.
While there are a couple of stories that really stood out, every single one of these eight stories is enjoyable. I can’t think of one I didn’t like. Many of the authors included their series characters here, although you don’t have to know the characters to enjoy what happens. In fact, this reminded me that I really do need to read some of these author’s novels. These stories are long enough that, by the time you’ve read all eight, you’ve read the equivalent of a full-length novel, so there is plenty here to keep you entertained. Each story features a fun twist or two, and the solutions always satisfied. Whether you are looking for a great read for a summer vacation or want something to make you feel like you are on vacation, you’ll be glad you boarded this anthology.
While there are a couple of stories that really stood out, every single one of these eight stories is enjoyable. I can’t think of one I didn’t like. Many of the authors included their series characters here, although you don’t have to know the characters to enjoy what happens. In fact, this reminded me that I really do need to read some of these author’s novels. These stories are long enough that, by the time you’ve read all eight, you’ve read the equivalent of a full-length novel, so there is plenty here to keep you entertained. Each story features a fun twist or two, and the solutions always satisfied. Whether you are looking for a great read for a summer vacation or want something to make you feel like you are on vacation, you’ll be glad you boarded this anthology.
Murder Takes the Stage
8.0
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In this delightful historical mystery, Phyllida Bright—amateur sleuth and Agatha Christie’s...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2680 KP) rated Death on the Back Nine in Books
Jul 10, 2026
Taking a Whack at Murder
Clark Thomas’s brother is coming for a visit. He hasn’t seen Bo in several years. One thing Bo wants is to play golf on one of the fantastic golf courses throughout the area. Clark arranges for the two of them to join Detective Moody for a round early one Saturday morning. But, the foursome directly ahead of them isn’t the most fun to follow around the course. When they get to one hole with a wicked dogleg, one of that foursome hits their ball into the woods…and never returns. Someone has hit him with a golf club. With Clark on the spot and Moody’s partner out of town, the mayor asks Clark to help out. Will he be able to find the killer?
The mystery in this book was solid, but it needed some good editing. We got too much set up, and there were other passages that could have been shortened or removed. The subplots got short changed as well. There was also too much foreshadowing. But the mystery kept me confused until Clark figured it out. And I do continue to like him. We get a cliffhanger to lead us into the next book which will resolve a major ongoing storyline, and I’m anxious to see what is going on there.
The mystery in this book was solid, but it needed some good editing. We got too much set up, and there were other passages that could have been shortened or removed. The subplots got short changed as well. There was also too much foreshadowing. But the mystery kept me confused until Clark figured it out. And I do continue to like him. We get a cliffhanger to lead us into the next book which will resolve a major ongoing storyline, and I’m anxious to see what is going on there.
A Taste for Murder
5.0
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Now a major TV series. DCI Joe Mottram hopes a summer in Capri will bring him closer to his...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2680 KP) rated Probable Caws in Books
Sep 8, 2026
Rescuing Horses is Murder
When Meg gets a phone call from her dad, she learns that a horse rescue organization in a neighboring county has to move their horses, and Meg’s neighbor and friend Ragnar has agreed to take the horses in. But they need people to help settle the horses, so she goes over to help. As the day progresses, Meg begins to learn about the fight between the owner of the farm the horses came from and his brother, who has just inherited half of the farm. That night, Meg finds a dead body in one of the barns. Can she figure out who the killer is?
Series like this walk a fine line between giving us information on the hook of the series, in this case animals, and focusing on the mystery. This one errs on the side of animal talk, which did slow things down. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good mystery here, with some twists I enjoyed and a logical climax, but it could have been stronger. The suspects are interesting. We don’t have the full cast of regulars in town, but those who are in town are their usual charming selves. The humor didn’t seem as strong either, but there were some laughs and grins. While not the strongest in the series, it will entertain Meg’s many fans.
Series like this walk a fine line between giving us information on the hook of the series, in this case animals, and focusing on the mystery. This one errs on the side of animal talk, which did slow things down. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good mystery here, with some twists I enjoyed and a logical climax, but it could have been stronger. The suspects are interesting. We don’t have the full cast of regulars in town, but those who are in town are their usual charming selves. The humor didn’t seem as strong either, but there were some laughs and grins. While not the strongest in the series, it will entertain Meg’s many fans.
Pareidolia: Illusions, Deceptions, and Murder (Nicola Kitts Psychological Thriller Series #3)
Book
What if the greatest danger isn't a killer in the shadows—but your inability to trust your own...
Psychological Suspense Mystery Thriller
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Mindhunter - Season 1 in TV
Oct 24, 2017 (Updated Oct 24, 2017)
Fantastic Performances (3 more)
Brilliant Script
Good Direction
Great Soundtrack
A Method In The Madness?
Mindhunter is a Netflix series set in the late 70's, that follows two FBI detectives as they embark to learn more about serial killers and why they do the things that they do. One of the detectives, Bill Tench, actually coins the phrase, 'serial killer,' at one point and the team do seem to be making progressive steps into understanding a disturbed psyche, even if some of the methods they use along the way are fairly questionable.
The series is produced by David Fincher, who also directs 4 episodes of this first season. If you are a fan of Fincher's other work, then this will be right up your street. It shares a lot of similarities with Se7en, The Social Network, Gone Girl, Panic Room and definitely Zodiac. The two main series stars, Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany are brilliant in their roles. You may recognise McCallany from Fight Club and Groff from Glee, but this show couldn't be a further departure from Glee if it tried, which makes Groff's already electric performance, even better.
McCallany plays Bill Tench, an older FBI agent who has a good few years of experience under his belt. Groff plays Holden Ford, a young maverick, who barges his way towards progress, regardless of who gets caught up in the collateral damage. The two work fantastically together and the chemistry between the two actors is one of the best things about this show. The supporting cast are also solid, with Hannah Gross standing out as Holden's girlfriend, as well as Anna Torv, who plays a doctor of psychology helping the two detectives analyse the data that they collect from interviews held with various serial killers. The serial killers featured throughout the show are also memorable, especially Jerry Brudos and Ed Kemper. Cameron Britton, who plays Kemper, gives a subtly terrifying performance and is exponentially engaging for every minute that he is onscreen.
The performances are helped with a brilliant script. The dialogue is snappy and effective, causing as many existential questions as it does unorthodox observations. Fincher's direction, is of course, fantastic and the other directors who work on this show also do a good job. The soundtrack to the show is sometimes antithetic to what is going on in the storyline, but it is always effective and never distracting. The shot composition and cinematography was also on point in each episode, with some really effective imagery being implemented throughout.
Overall, this is a brilliantly made, psychological drama. The writing is of a very high standard and the performances are excellent all around. If you are a fan of serial killer stories or anything David Fincher has worked on before, this will be for you. The characters are all interesting and deep and although they may do some questionable things, I can't wait to see where this endeavour takes them next.
The series is produced by David Fincher, who also directs 4 episodes of this first season. If you are a fan of Fincher's other work, then this will be right up your street. It shares a lot of similarities with Se7en, The Social Network, Gone Girl, Panic Room and definitely Zodiac. The two main series stars, Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany are brilliant in their roles. You may recognise McCallany from Fight Club and Groff from Glee, but this show couldn't be a further departure from Glee if it tried, which makes Groff's already electric performance, even better.
McCallany plays Bill Tench, an older FBI agent who has a good few years of experience under his belt. Groff plays Holden Ford, a young maverick, who barges his way towards progress, regardless of who gets caught up in the collateral damage. The two work fantastically together and the chemistry between the two actors is one of the best things about this show. The supporting cast are also solid, with Hannah Gross standing out as Holden's girlfriend, as well as Anna Torv, who plays a doctor of psychology helping the two detectives analyse the data that they collect from interviews held with various serial killers. The serial killers featured throughout the show are also memorable, especially Jerry Brudos and Ed Kemper. Cameron Britton, who plays Kemper, gives a subtly terrifying performance and is exponentially engaging for every minute that he is onscreen.
The performances are helped with a brilliant script. The dialogue is snappy and effective, causing as many existential questions as it does unorthodox observations. Fincher's direction, is of course, fantastic and the other directors who work on this show also do a good job. The soundtrack to the show is sometimes antithetic to what is going on in the storyline, but it is always effective and never distracting. The shot composition and cinematography was also on point in each episode, with some really effective imagery being implemented throughout.
Overall, this is a brilliantly made, psychological drama. The writing is of a very high standard and the performances are excellent all around. If you are a fan of serial killer stories or anything David Fincher has worked on before, this will be for you. The characters are all interesting and deep and although they may do some questionable things, I can't wait to see where this endeavour takes them next.