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Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Let Me Make You A Martyr (2016) in Movies
Jun 15, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Drew Glass returns to his home town to reconnect with his stepsister & lover June and to right the wrongs of his past.
Let Me Make You A Martyr starts off as a slow paced ‘Tarantino’ esq. film. The story is mostly told by Drew, parts of the film are shown out of sequence and follow two story lines which converge around an hour in.
The film has a very dark tone and features themes of drug use, violence, people trafficking and rape although most of the violence takes place off screen or on the edge of the screen, giving just the hint of what is happening, and that’s the thing about ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’, it’s not an action film. It has the feel of something from Tarantino but with a much slower pace. The violence is almost subdued, being of screen or shot through a filter.
Like a Tarantino move ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ goes from talking to silence and back to talking and, as the film goes on you notice that there are a lot of musings about death and the afterlife. Death and the afterlife are themes that runs throughout the film which even has a killer called Pope (Played by Marilyn Manson).
If you want a fast paced action film then ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ is not for you and the films ending is possibly not what you’d expect from a revenge movie, leaving off with at least one question but, if you can handle a dark, slow, sometimes non liner film then give ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ a watch.
Let Me Make You A Martyr starts off as a slow paced ‘Tarantino’ esq. film. The story is mostly told by Drew, parts of the film are shown out of sequence and follow two story lines which converge around an hour in.
The film has a very dark tone and features themes of drug use, violence, people trafficking and rape although most of the violence takes place off screen or on the edge of the screen, giving just the hint of what is happening, and that’s the thing about ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’, it’s not an action film. It has the feel of something from Tarantino but with a much slower pace. The violence is almost subdued, being of screen or shot through a filter.
Like a Tarantino move ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ goes from talking to silence and back to talking and, as the film goes on you notice that there are a lot of musings about death and the afterlife. Death and the afterlife are themes that runs throughout the film which even has a killer called Pope (Played by Marilyn Manson).
If you want a fast paced action film then ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ is not for you and the films ending is possibly not what you’d expect from a revenge movie, leaving off with at least one question but, if you can handle a dark, slow, sometimes non liner film then give ‘Let Me Make You A Martyr’ a watch.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated How I Lost You in Books
Jun 20, 2020
Oooooo ... this was good and I am annoyed with myself for not reading it earlier when it first came out in 2015 but better late than never I always say!
The book starts with a letter written by convicted child killer Susan Webster to the Parole Board seeking early release from her prison sentence that was handed down following her conviction for the murder of her 3 month old son, Dylan ... a murder she has absolutely no recollection of but had to admit she committed the crime because everyone was telling her she did. On release, Susan, now called Emma, is making attempts to rebuild her life however when she receives a picture of a toddler called Dylan, she starts to ask questions and so begins Susan/Emma's search for the truth of what actually happened on that fateful day.
Written mainly from the perspective of Susan/Emma with flashbacks of other characters, it's told at a good pace with good tension and twists. The characters are excellent and well developed but if I have one gripe, it's that Susan/Emma is a little naive and quick to trust despite her situation of having to live under a new identity to protect herself which I found a little odd.
Overall, I found this a gripping story that had me captivated until the end and I will most definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Headline via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unedited review and I can only apologise that it has taken me so long to get round to reading it.
The book starts with a letter written by convicted child killer Susan Webster to the Parole Board seeking early release from her prison sentence that was handed down following her conviction for the murder of her 3 month old son, Dylan ... a murder she has absolutely no recollection of but had to admit she committed the crime because everyone was telling her she did. On release, Susan, now called Emma, is making attempts to rebuild her life however when she receives a picture of a toddler called Dylan, she starts to ask questions and so begins Susan/Emma's search for the truth of what actually happened on that fateful day.
Written mainly from the perspective of Susan/Emma with flashbacks of other characters, it's told at a good pace with good tension and twists. The characters are excellent and well developed but if I have one gripe, it's that Susan/Emma is a little naive and quick to trust despite her situation of having to live under a new identity to protect herself which I found a little odd.
Overall, I found this a gripping story that had me captivated until the end and I will most definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Headline via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unedited review and I can only apologise that it has taken me so long to get round to reading it.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Fear For Me (For Me, #2) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
I read the first book in this series a few years ago and it was ok - judging by my review on Goodreads of it - but I wasn't overly in to it. This one has been on my Kindle for a few years now so it's about time I read it.
This starts with the "Bayou Butcher" serial killer - Jon Walker - breaking out of prison and setting out to kill the people who put him there starting with Lauren Chandler, the DA that made sure he went down for life, as well as the judge and those on the jury. In comes Anthony Ross, a Marshall, who tracked Walker down the first time and Lauren's ex.
I was equally drawn into this when they were hunting Walker and freaked out when we had scenes from Walker's POV as he went about killing. The more I read, though, the more I was convinced that Walker wasn't doing everything alone and then it was the mystery of just who Walker was in league with that had me reading. I thought I had it figured out but I was so wrong.
The romance reignited between Lauren and Anthony as neither had really gotten over the other in the five years since they'd parted ways. It was nice to see inside both of their heads and what their feelings were towards the other. I'll be honest. I wasn't that interested in the romance so I skipped the sex scenes in this, totally uninterested.
I don't think I'll be reading the last book in the series. I'm not that into Romantic Suspense anymore.
This starts with the "Bayou Butcher" serial killer - Jon Walker - breaking out of prison and setting out to kill the people who put him there starting with Lauren Chandler, the DA that made sure he went down for life, as well as the judge and those on the jury. In comes Anthony Ross, a Marshall, who tracked Walker down the first time and Lauren's ex.
I was equally drawn into this when they were hunting Walker and freaked out when we had scenes from Walker's POV as he went about killing. The more I read, though, the more I was convinced that Walker wasn't doing everything alone and then it was the mystery of just who Walker was in league with that had me reading. I thought I had it figured out but I was so wrong.
The romance reignited between Lauren and Anthony as neither had really gotten over the other in the five years since they'd parted ways. It was nice to see inside both of their heads and what their feelings were towards the other. I'll be honest. I wasn't that interested in the romance so I skipped the sex scenes in this, totally uninterested.
I don't think I'll be reading the last book in the series. I'm not that into Romantic Suspense anymore.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated A Deadly Inside Scoop in Books
Jul 17, 2020
An Opening Scoop of Murder
Bronwyn “Win” Crewse is ready to reopen Crewse Creamery, the ice cream parlor founded by her grandparents in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, after some renovations. Unfortunately, opening day sees an early October snow storm and no customers. However, Win’s day gets even worse when she stumbles upon a dead body after she’s closed the shop for the day. The man turns out to be someone who crossed paths with Win’s family years ago, and not for the better. Before Win knows it, the police are looking at her father as the killer. Now, Win needs to figure out what really happened so she can clear him of a crime she knows he didn’t commit. Can she do that and get customers into the ice cream parlor?
I love ice cream, so that was a draw to this series, and the ice cream descriptions definitely made me drool. The delicious sounding recipes at the end will help with that. The mystery started out a little slowly. It did eventually get going, and we had some good suspects and twists before Win figured everything out. The characters were a mixed bag. I loved Win, and her family is wonderful as well. I especially appreciated the close relationship she has with both her parents and her grandfather. Her friends were more caricatures than fully developed characters, and as a result, they amused me at times and annoyed me at others. I can see them getting more developed as the series goes along, however. This is still a tasty treat, and I can see it developing into a favorite series for many.
I love ice cream, so that was a draw to this series, and the ice cream descriptions definitely made me drool. The delicious sounding recipes at the end will help with that. The mystery started out a little slowly. It did eventually get going, and we had some good suspects and twists before Win figured everything out. The characters were a mixed bag. I loved Win, and her family is wonderful as well. I especially appreciated the close relationship she has with both her parents and her grandfather. Her friends were more caricatures than fully developed characters, and as a result, they amused me at times and annoyed me at others. I can see them getting more developed as the series goes along, however. This is still a tasty treat, and I can see it developing into a favorite series for many.
Salad Samurai: 100 Cutting-Edge, Ultra-Hearty, Easy-To-Make Salads You Don't Have to Be Vegan to Love
Book
Discover the Way of the Saladaward-winning chef and Veganomicon coauthor Terry Hope Romero knows her...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Spree (2020) in Movies
Jan 5, 2021
I honestly can't figure out if I thought this was good or not...
Starting with the positives then. I thought the premise was decent. An amateur streamer who has spent the best part of a decade failing to gain numbers via his social media accounts, embarks on a killing spree during his day job as a taxi driver, whilst simultaneously live streaming the whole thing. Stranger Things' Joe Keery plays the killer in question, and does a pretty decent job at portraying an unhinged, isolated young adult who is just obsessed with fame.
I also enjoyed both Sasheer Zamata and David Arquette in supporting roles.
It's a very styalised movie - the whole runtime is shown through streaming mediums, essentially being a semi found footage horror, and it works for the most part.
However, I've never been the biggest fan of this particular sub genre, and I found myself losing interest now and again. It's trying very hard to be modern and relevant, which it sort of is, but I'm not sure how far it will go in resonating with a younger generation. A lot of the script is cringey in it attempts to throw current slang terms in at every given moment. I've even heard Spree described as "Taxi Driver for the Instagram generation", a bold claim that falls way short in reality, even if that was Eugene Kotlyarenko's intention.
All in all, Spree manages to remain entertaining enough to warrant sitting through it, and that's mainly thanks to Joe Keery's weirdly uncomfortable performance. Maybe knock back a beer or two at the same time for good measure.
Starting with the positives then. I thought the premise was decent. An amateur streamer who has spent the best part of a decade failing to gain numbers via his social media accounts, embarks on a killing spree during his day job as a taxi driver, whilst simultaneously live streaming the whole thing. Stranger Things' Joe Keery plays the killer in question, and does a pretty decent job at portraying an unhinged, isolated young adult who is just obsessed with fame.
I also enjoyed both Sasheer Zamata and David Arquette in supporting roles.
It's a very styalised movie - the whole runtime is shown through streaming mediums, essentially being a semi found footage horror, and it works for the most part.
However, I've never been the biggest fan of this particular sub genre, and I found myself losing interest now and again. It's trying very hard to be modern and relevant, which it sort of is, but I'm not sure how far it will go in resonating with a younger generation. A lot of the script is cringey in it attempts to throw current slang terms in at every given moment. I've even heard Spree described as "Taxi Driver for the Instagram generation", a bold claim that falls way short in reality, even if that was Eugene Kotlyarenko's intention.
All in all, Spree manages to remain entertaining enough to warrant sitting through it, and that's mainly thanks to Joe Keery's weirdly uncomfortable performance. Maybe knock back a beer or two at the same time for good measure.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake, #3) in Books
Aug 11, 2021
126 of 250
Kindle
Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake book 3)
By Rachel Caine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She can’t ignore a cry for help. But in this remote hunting town, it’s open season.
Gwen Proctor escaped her serial-killer husband and saved her family. What she can’t seem to outrun is his notoriety. Or the sick internet vigilantes still seeking to avenge his crimes. For Gwen, hiding isn’t an option. Not when her only mission is to create a normal life for her kids.
But now, a threatened woman has reached out. Marlene Crockett, from the remote town of Wolfhunter, is panicked for herself and her daughter. When Gwen arrives in the small, isolated rural community, Marlene is already dead—her own daughter blamed for the murder. Except that’s not the person Marlene feared at all. And Gwen isn’t leaving until she finds out who that was.
But it may already be too late. A trap has been set. And it’s poised to snap shut on everyone Gwen loves. Her stalkers are closing in. And in a town as dark as Wolfhunter, it’s so easy for them to hide…
Another brilliant book in the series I really really enjoyed it! Only one star off a 5 because I did find some bits a bit of a rush. I love the strong chap the kids are dealing with it all so much better. It’s just a shame we only have 2 books left knowing we’ll never get a 5th is heartbreaking. I have nothing but love for this author.
Kindle
Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake book 3)
By Rachel Caine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She can’t ignore a cry for help. But in this remote hunting town, it’s open season.
Gwen Proctor escaped her serial-killer husband and saved her family. What she can’t seem to outrun is his notoriety. Or the sick internet vigilantes still seeking to avenge his crimes. For Gwen, hiding isn’t an option. Not when her only mission is to create a normal life for her kids.
But now, a threatened woman has reached out. Marlene Crockett, from the remote town of Wolfhunter, is panicked for herself and her daughter. When Gwen arrives in the small, isolated rural community, Marlene is already dead—her own daughter blamed for the murder. Except that’s not the person Marlene feared at all. And Gwen isn’t leaving until she finds out who that was.
But it may already be too late. A trap has been set. And it’s poised to snap shut on everyone Gwen loves. Her stalkers are closing in. And in a town as dark as Wolfhunter, it’s so easy for them to hide…
Another brilliant book in the series I really really enjoyed it! Only one star off a 5 because I did find some bits a bit of a rush. I love the strong chap the kids are dealing with it all so much better. It’s just a shame we only have 2 books left knowing we’ll never get a 5th is heartbreaking. I have nothing but love for this author.
Merissa (12838 KP) rated Hunt the Dawn (Fatal Dreams, #2) in Books
May 4, 2021
We enter Hunt the Dawn at a conference where our main man, Lathan, is trying to speak to a specialist in order to catch a serial killer. Unfortunately, due to Lathan's special abilities, he is unable to remain. He drives off to his home, in search of the peace he knows he needs. While this is going on, we meet with Evanee, soon to be known as Honey. She's had a tough slot in life so far, but is doing the best she can with what she's got. Circumstances conspire (and not in a good way) to have these two together, and once they do the story really lifts off!
We meet up with Isleen and Xander from book 1, which was a pleasure! To be fair though, and sorry to them!, but they weren't really 'needed' as Lathan and Honey's story was compelling reading. HOWEVER, with the addition of Xander and Isleen, and the help that they gave, it gave this story an edge; expanded on what was already brilliant, and gave it a tiny piece of extra sparkle.
As always, this book was exceptionally well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. The pace is smooth, building up to the climax. There is a twist (sort of) at the end, but I loved that. I really can't recommend this book or series highly enough. Now I just need to know what is coming next from this amazing author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
We meet up with Isleen and Xander from book 1, which was a pleasure! To be fair though, and sorry to them!, but they weren't really 'needed' as Lathan and Honey's story was compelling reading. HOWEVER, with the addition of Xander and Isleen, and the help that they gave, it gave this story an edge; expanded on what was already brilliant, and gave it a tiny piece of extra sparkle.
As always, this book was exceptionally well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. The pace is smooth, building up to the climax. There is a twist (sort of) at the end, but I loved that. I really can't recommend this book or series highly enough. Now I just need to know what is coming next from this amazing author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Gaz Coombes recommended Horses by Patti Smith in Music (curated)
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Rabbit Hole in Books
Jul 20, 2021
The title of this book is absolutely perfect and after having read it, I feel like I went down a Rabbit Hole and am only just beginning to emerge!
I am a huge fan of Mark Billingham's work, particularly his Tom Thorne Series, but this is a standalone psychological thriller that explores the fractured mind of Alice Armitage and her quest to find a killer whilst an in-patient on an acute psychiatric unit.
I said I felt like I went down a Rabbit Hole and that's because the reader is immersed totally within Alice's mind; the whole of the book is written from her perspective and focusses on her trying to solve a murder whilst dealing with the mental health difficulties she and those around her are experiencing but from her point of view rather than a clinical one, i.e. simplistic, but with a bit of humour so it's not all dark and heavy going.
Alice is an unreliable narrator which had me scratching my head wondering what was actually real and what was only real from Alice's perspective. This, I think, was genius as it provided plenty of opportunities for distractions and mis-directions which worked well but mashed my head a little!
This wasn't an easy book to read and I have a feeling it won't appeal to everyone but if you want to read something a bit different, I would recommend but be prepared to join Alice in the Rabbit Hole.
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
I am a huge fan of Mark Billingham's work, particularly his Tom Thorne Series, but this is a standalone psychological thriller that explores the fractured mind of Alice Armitage and her quest to find a killer whilst an in-patient on an acute psychiatric unit.
I said I felt like I went down a Rabbit Hole and that's because the reader is immersed totally within Alice's mind; the whole of the book is written from her perspective and focusses on her trying to solve a murder whilst dealing with the mental health difficulties she and those around her are experiencing but from her point of view rather than a clinical one, i.e. simplistic, but with a bit of humour so it's not all dark and heavy going.
Alice is an unreliable narrator which had me scratching my head wondering what was actually real and what was only real from Alice's perspective. This, I think, was genius as it provided plenty of opportunities for distractions and mis-directions which worked well but mashed my head a little!
This wasn't an easy book to read and I have a feeling it won't appeal to everyone but if you want to read something a bit different, I would recommend but be prepared to join Alice in the Rabbit Hole.
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.