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'Besides the usual Grisham virtues of an arresting idea, polished plotting and vivid social...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Lake Placid (1999) in Movies
Jan 7, 2022
Betty White Steals This Film
I have to admit, I actually saw LAKE PLACID in the movie theaters when it came out in 1999. I am a huge JAWS fan and am a sucker for any film that takes the elements of Jaws (or some of them, anyway) and tries to rip-off that classic film.
And, that is what Lake Placid does (is). It’s “Jaws with a Crocodile”. The residents of Black Lake are being picked off one-by-one by a killer croc and a ragtag group of heroes put aside their differences to save the day.
The “ragtag group” features an a few “B-Listers” (at the time) and one “up-and-comer”. Bill Pullman (fresh off INDEPENDENCE DAY) scores a lead role while Bridget Fonda (beginning to fade from view) is the “femme-fatale” and character actor Oliver Platt (currently on CHICAGO MED) eats the screen as the “eccentric, philanthropist Croc hunter” (I can’t think of a philanthropist croc hunter that isn’t eccentric). It also features a then unknown Brendan Gleeson (a few years before his turn as Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series) as the Sherriff of the town - the Roy Scheider/Sherriff Brody role from Jaws.
But the character that steals this film is, of course, Betty White as a foul-mouthed resident of the community. Flipping the coin on her wholesome image garnered from her turns on THE GOLDEN GIRLS and THE MARY TYLER MOORE show, Ms. White is - as should be expected - hilarious in her raunchiness.
While this movie is the very definition of “B-Movie” (maybe even “C” flick), it’s worth watching just for Betty White’s turn.
Rest in Peace, Ms. White. And THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
Letter Grade on Lake Placid: B (and I’m being generous)
Letter Grade on Betty White: A+
And you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And, that is what Lake Placid does (is). It’s “Jaws with a Crocodile”. The residents of Black Lake are being picked off one-by-one by a killer croc and a ragtag group of heroes put aside their differences to save the day.
The “ragtag group” features an a few “B-Listers” (at the time) and one “up-and-comer”. Bill Pullman (fresh off INDEPENDENCE DAY) scores a lead role while Bridget Fonda (beginning to fade from view) is the “femme-fatale” and character actor Oliver Platt (currently on CHICAGO MED) eats the screen as the “eccentric, philanthropist Croc hunter” (I can’t think of a philanthropist croc hunter that isn’t eccentric). It also features a then unknown Brendan Gleeson (a few years before his turn as Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series) as the Sherriff of the town - the Roy Scheider/Sherriff Brody role from Jaws.
But the character that steals this film is, of course, Betty White as a foul-mouthed resident of the community. Flipping the coin on her wholesome image garnered from her turns on THE GOLDEN GIRLS and THE MARY TYLER MOORE show, Ms. White is - as should be expected - hilarious in her raunchiness.
While this movie is the very definition of “B-Movie” (maybe even “C” flick), it’s worth watching just for Betty White’s turn.
Rest in Peace, Ms. White. And THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
Letter Grade on Lake Placid: B (and I’m being generous)
Letter Grade on Betty White: A+
And you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
May 20, 2022
Charlotte Illes is Not a Detective
7.0
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For anyone seeking to satisfy their Harriet the Spy or Encyclopedia Brown nostalgia, this modern,...
Irish Milkshake Murder
Carlene O'Connor, Liz Ireland and Peggy Ehrhart
9.0
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Raise a glass for St. Paddy’s Day but keep a shamrock handy because some of these minty milkshakes...
Merissa (13575 KP) rated Mine to Keep (Bloody Desires) in Books
Sep 1, 2025
MINE TO KEEP is part of the Bloody Desires series, all standalone featuring serial killer daddies. Sounds good, right?
And it really was! Told primarily from Knox's perspective, you also have drop-in chapters from other characters to round it off. Knox has been an assassin for more years than he had planned, but knows his time is coming to an end. Just how it ends has yet to be determined. As he travels to a job, he meets Talon and Javier at the airport. There is something about them... but, no. He has a job to do. As circumstances would have it, he meets them again, and there you go. I would say it all kicks off from there, but I'd be lying, as action has already been on the menu by then.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Yes, it's violent, but it's also sweet. What a conundrum! 😆 Javier and Talon are almost perfect together, but they really do need Knox to round them out. Peggy is another one I loved, and I really hope to find her in other books in this series. I don't know for sure, as this is the first one I have read, but it certainly won't be the last.
Although this is primarily Knox's story, I would have liked to have seen a little more with Talon and Javier. For example, their reunion, or how their relationship developed further. That is the only reason I rated it 4.5 instead of 5 stars.
I thought this was a great introduction to the series, and I look forward to reading more. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2025
And it really was! Told primarily from Knox's perspective, you also have drop-in chapters from other characters to round it off. Knox has been an assassin for more years than he had planned, but knows his time is coming to an end. Just how it ends has yet to be determined. As he travels to a job, he meets Talon and Javier at the airport. There is something about them... but, no. He has a job to do. As circumstances would have it, he meets them again, and there you go. I would say it all kicks off from there, but I'd be lying, as action has already been on the menu by then.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Yes, it's violent, but it's also sweet. What a conundrum! 😆 Javier and Talon are almost perfect together, but they really do need Knox to round them out. Peggy is another one I loved, and I really hope to find her in other books in this series. I don't know for sure, as this is the first one I have read, but it certainly won't be the last.
Although this is primarily Knox's story, I would have liked to have seen a little more with Talon and Javier. For example, their reunion, or how their relationship developed further. That is the only reason I rated it 4.5 instead of 5 stars.
I thought this was a great introduction to the series, and I look forward to reading more. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2025
Merissa (13575 KP) rated Resist Me Not (Bloody Desires) in Books
Sep 4, 2025
RESIST ME NOT is part of the Bloody Desires series, featuring Walker, a doctor, and Trey, a travel writer/serial killer. Trey doesn't target just anyone, but rather those who harm others, especially wives and children. The reasons for this are explained, so don't worry about that.
Now, of course, killing anyone is never supposed to be good, but how it is done here gives an excellent moral debate, and as shown in a group conversation, this same question has been asked many times. It becomes personal for Walker when he knows what Trey is doing. After all, he is a doctor dedicated to saving lives, while Trey is taking them. But is it as clean-cut and concise as that?
While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, there were parts that I didn't feel necessary. Firstly, there was the Daddy part. That was more of a term of endearment than anything else. And did Daddy and good boy really have to be in italics most of the time? I didn't feel any need to emphasise those words in the context they were being used in. They could have been changed for different terms, and it would still read perfectly. And secondly, was how many times First Do No Harm was mentioned. I get that was the question of the moment; I didn't need the repetition to compound on it.
Trey was an excellently written character, showing depth and thought that you might not expect. Walker was a little more self-righteous, a little more bland, until the end--that part, I loved!
I am loving this series and have no hesitation in recommending it if morally grey stories are your thing.
** 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!
Sep 4, 2025
Now, of course, killing anyone is never supposed to be good, but how it is done here gives an excellent moral debate, and as shown in a group conversation, this same question has been asked many times. It becomes personal for Walker when he knows what Trey is doing. After all, he is a doctor dedicated to saving lives, while Trey is taking them. But is it as clean-cut and concise as that?
While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, there were parts that I didn't feel necessary. Firstly, there was the Daddy part. That was more of a term of endearment than anything else. And did Daddy and good boy really have to be in italics most of the time? I didn't feel any need to emphasise those words in the context they were being used in. They could have been changed for different terms, and it would still read perfectly. And secondly, was how many times First Do No Harm was mentioned. I get that was the question of the moment; I didn't need the repetition to compound on it.
Trey was an excellently written character, showing depth and thought that you might not expect. Walker was a little more self-righteous, a little more bland, until the end--that part, I loved!
I am loving this series and have no hesitation in recommending it if morally grey stories are your thing.
** 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!
Sep 4, 2025
Rise to Rebellion (Faith Clarke #3)
Book
Summer 1776. Different missions call Faith Clarke and Jeremy Butler to Philadelphia, where delegates...
Historical Fiction Mystery Faith Clarke Series
Camping with the Boss (Pride Summer Camp 2025)
9.0
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Book
“You have four hours to find your brother or take his place.” CEO Wade Darian is beastly in...
Contemporary MM Romance
Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts #2) in Books
Apr 20, 2025
It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Basic Instincts series and I have not read book 1, Now Comes The Dark. I did not feel I missed anything by not doing so, so I would say this can totally be read as a stand alone. Roman and Mallon pop up, but only in passing.
Marc is not happy with the local police about their lack of progress in finding his brother's killer. Because Marc does not believe that Theo's death was an accident. Enter Jason, a local private detective. But just as his investigation gets moving, their chief witness is murdered and both men find themselves in a fight for their lives, with no clue who is behind it all.
I just wanna say: Well played, Mr Collins, so very well played! I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, not at all! I love being kept on my toes, I really do. So, I loved that coming out of nowhere and whooping me upside the head!
As Marc and Jason get to know each other, their relationship builds. I liked that build up and when it spilled over. I can't say I liked the reason it spilled over, and I'm not going to elaborate due to spoilers, but I think when it does spill over, it was exactly at the right time for these two.
It moves at speed sometimes, and slows up in others, just enough for you to catch up. It's dark and deadly, and sweet and emotional. Steamy and smexy. It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
I absolutely need to read book 3, but I've no clue who that would be or even IF there will be a book 3! And at some point, I'd like to go back and read book 1.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Basic Instincts series and I have not read book 1, Now Comes The Dark. I did not feel I missed anything by not doing so, so I would say this can totally be read as a stand alone. Roman and Mallon pop up, but only in passing.
Marc is not happy with the local police about their lack of progress in finding his brother's killer. Because Marc does not believe that Theo's death was an accident. Enter Jason, a local private detective. But just as his investigation gets moving, their chief witness is murdered and both men find themselves in a fight for their lives, with no clue who is behind it all.
I just wanna say: Well played, Mr Collins, so very well played! I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, not at all! I love being kept on my toes, I really do. So, I loved that coming out of nowhere and whooping me upside the head!
As Marc and Jason get to know each other, their relationship builds. I liked that build up and when it spilled over. I can't say I liked the reason it spilled over, and I'm not going to elaborate due to spoilers, but I think when it does spill over, it was exactly at the right time for these two.
It moves at speed sometimes, and slows up in others, just enough for you to catch up. It's dark and deadly, and sweet and emotional. Steamy and smexy. It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
I absolutely need to read book 3, but I've no clue who that would be or even IF there will be a book 3! And at some point, I'd like to go back and read book 1.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere