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A Nutcracker Nightmare
5.0
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Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs, when twin sisters Hanna and Alex help out at the...
Merissa (12929 KP) rated America's Femme Fatale The Story of Serial Killer Belle Gunness in Books
Oct 1, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
AMERICA'S FEMME FATALE is the story of a female serial killer who did it for the money or to keep people quiet or from looking at her too closely. Belle is cold-hearted, cold-blooded, and sadly in my mind, managed to get away with it.
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
The Girl's Last Cry (Detective Lexi Bennett #2)
8.0
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The girl lies on the dark ground, one arm flung out as if she is still looking for someone to help...
Corpse Thief (Joshua Hawke #1)
7.0
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PART ONE of the searing new thriller featuring Joshua Hawke; Criminal, Informant, Body Snatcher,...
Death by Smoothie
10.0
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It’s the funny side of homicide in acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist Laura Levine’s newest...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Death by Smoothie in Books
Jan 13, 2023 (Updated Jan 13, 2023)
This Smoothie Isn’t Healthy for Someone
Someone is trying to revive the cult classic sitcom I Married a Zombie as a stage musical, and freelance writer Jaine Austen has been hired to punch up the script. Since the producer is also the writer and the star, the script needs a lot of work, but the biggest problem is Misty, the actress hired to play the lead. She can’t act and she can’t remember her lines, but the producer is enchanted with her. That is until someone poisons her afternoon smoothie. Jaine jumps into action to figure out who the killer is. Can she do it?
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Merissa (12929 KP) rated Charisma Check (Dungeons and Dating #6) in Books
May 23, 2023
CHARISMA CHECK is the sixth and final book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and you should really read these amazing books in order to get the full benefit. This is a 5-star series, simple as that.
Everything we have come to hold dear is threatened in this book and it about killed me! Add to that, Matt and Jasper, two characters who have made themselves known in previous books - even if it's only superficially. Oh, boy. These two. I loved them both so much. Jasper about broke me though and I'm not ashamed to say it. His backstory was a killer and his actions throughout the series take on a whole new light. Matt has had an easier time of it in the past to a degree but has had to deal with numerous failed relationships and, in the present, he has to deal with his best friend leaving him. Together, they are guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies.
Everyone shows up in this book, much to my delight. Happy tears were shed and I finished the book with a HUGE smile on my face. I can't wait to return at Christmas to the D&D group at Tabletop Tavern, as well as begin with the guys from Whipped in Leather & Lattes.
Absolutely brilliant all the way through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 23, 2023
Everything we have come to hold dear is threatened in this book and it about killed me! Add to that, Matt and Jasper, two characters who have made themselves known in previous books - even if it's only superficially. Oh, boy. These two. I loved them both so much. Jasper about broke me though and I'm not ashamed to say it. His backstory was a killer and his actions throughout the series take on a whole new light. Matt has had an easier time of it in the past to a degree but has had to deal with numerous failed relationships and, in the present, he has to deal with his best friend leaving him. Together, they are guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies.
Everyone shows up in this book, much to my delight. Happy tears were shed and I finished the book with a HUGE smile on my face. I can't wait to return at Christmas to the D&D group at Tabletop Tavern, as well as begin with the guys from Whipped in Leather & Lattes.
Absolutely brilliant all the way through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 23, 2023
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Quiet Tenant in Books
Jun 4, 2023
This is a pretty good debut and one which I enjoyed.
This is a different interpretation of the 'abduction and kept prisoner' stories; it's told from the perspectives of Rachel (the captive), Cecilia (the daughter) and Emily (the bartender/love interest) but also with chapters told from the victims points of view which were particularly powerful and unsettling however, there is nothing from the killer, Aidan which I found unusual and I'm still not sure if I liked it as it did leave me with quite a lot of questions as to how and why he did what he did however, maybe that was the point?
Anyway, The Quiet Tenant is a dark story of survival in the most extreme of circumstances but it's also a story about a man who is able to project an image of goodness and normality whilst hiding who he really is from those closest to him and the small community in which he lives.
It's a bit of a slow-burner, there is a little too much description at times and there are bits that are a little beyond the realms of reality however, as you read, there is a creeping sense of tension and dread that had me hooked and desperate to know how it was all going to play out and I wasn't disappointed.
Overall, a pretty good read and I commend the author for writing a book that's not in her first language and thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK, Abacus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Quiet Tenant.
This is a different interpretation of the 'abduction and kept prisoner' stories; it's told from the perspectives of Rachel (the captive), Cecilia (the daughter) and Emily (the bartender/love interest) but also with chapters told from the victims points of view which were particularly powerful and unsettling however, there is nothing from the killer, Aidan which I found unusual and I'm still not sure if I liked it as it did leave me with quite a lot of questions as to how and why he did what he did however, maybe that was the point?
Anyway, The Quiet Tenant is a dark story of survival in the most extreme of circumstances but it's also a story about a man who is able to project an image of goodness and normality whilst hiding who he really is from those closest to him and the small community in which he lives.
It's a bit of a slow-burner, there is a little too much description at times and there are bits that are a little beyond the realms of reality however, as you read, there is a creeping sense of tension and dread that had me hooked and desperate to know how it was all going to play out and I wasn't disappointed.
Overall, a pretty good read and I commend the author for writing a book that's not in her first language and thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK, Abacus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Quiet Tenant.
Merissa (12929 KP) rated Under Your Care in Books
Mar 19, 2025
UNDER YOUR CARE is the first book in the Twisted Desires series and PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS!!! If you do, and you're happy to proceed, then you're in for a great read.
This is a dark romance in so many ways - morally grey and downright black too! Lane is a femme who was s3xually assaulted by his cousin when he was younger. Greyson is his therapist, a dark empath, who is a hobby killer. Yep, you read that right. Well, Greyson decides Lane is his and nothing will move him from that path. Lane is also attracted to Greyson, a shock in itself for understandable reasons, and makes a comment which leads Greyson to move his agenda forward by quite some time.
I love dark romances where it is them against the world, and this one fits that bill. Lane knows Greyson is bad in a lot of ways, but is also 100% correct in thinking Greyson would never hurt him. Not in a bad way, at least. This one is graphic with its violence and filled with dark themes. It is obsessive and possessive, and full of hurt / comfort. It in no way represents a real relationship between a patient and a therapist so suspend your beliefs and enjoy all the kinks.
The next book is about Oliver, a trans man, and Greyson's twin brothers, Hayes and Hudson. I can't wait!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Mar 18, 2025
This is a dark romance in so many ways - morally grey and downright black too! Lane is a femme who was s3xually assaulted by his cousin when he was younger. Greyson is his therapist, a dark empath, who is a hobby killer. Yep, you read that right. Well, Greyson decides Lane is his and nothing will move him from that path. Lane is also attracted to Greyson, a shock in itself for understandable reasons, and makes a comment which leads Greyson to move his agenda forward by quite some time.
I love dark romances where it is them against the world, and this one fits that bill. Lane knows Greyson is bad in a lot of ways, but is also 100% correct in thinking Greyson would never hurt him. Not in a bad way, at least. This one is graphic with its violence and filled with dark themes. It is obsessive and possessive, and full of hurt / comfort. It in no way represents a real relationship between a patient and a therapist so suspend your beliefs and enjoy all the kinks.
The next book is about Oliver, a trans man, and Greyson's twin brothers, Hayes and Hudson. I can't wait!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Mar 18, 2025
Steven Sklansky (231 KP) rated The Snowman (2017) in Movies
Oct 19, 2017
Not enough suspense (2 more)
poor twist
Plot that just didn't fit or make sense
The Movie that Melted Away
The Snowman was not put together very well. Just like the snowmen that were built in the movie They were missing a lot. No carrot for the noise, no coal for the eyes and not enough suspense to keep me gripped to my seat. I walked in to this movie thinking this would be a thriller, with twists and turns. Right out of the box at the little boys house with the mom was so down played. They could have add a little bit more of a score to show how dramatic the situation was. This was kind of the theme the whole movie.
The acting was actually strong, but the story was not written very well, there were no twists and turns. The flipping from present to past and back was done very poorly and hard to follow sometimes. The characters were not built up to understand their whole story.
The deaths in the movie were not presented very well, I thought there was going to be more bodies stuck in snowmen, but it seemed that the snowmen were more to show that bad things are going to happen. The way the women were murder was so boring. I get what the killer was going for and his MO was very standard, but the presentation could have been so much better.
The one thing that I actually liked was the location that they shot the movie in. It looked very classic with the snow. The landscape and the way they used it in the story was very good.
I had such high hopes for this movie, but by the end of the movie my hope melted away like a snowman at the end of winter.
The acting was actually strong, but the story was not written very well, there were no twists and turns. The flipping from present to past and back was done very poorly and hard to follow sometimes. The characters were not built up to understand their whole story.
The deaths in the movie were not presented very well, I thought there was going to be more bodies stuck in snowmen, but it seemed that the snowmen were more to show that bad things are going to happen. The way the women were murder was so boring. I get what the killer was going for and his MO was very standard, but the presentation could have been so much better.
The one thing that I actually liked was the location that they shot the movie in. It looked very classic with the snow. The landscape and the way they used it in the story was very good.
I had such high hopes for this movie, but by the end of the movie my hope melted away like a snowman at the end of winter.