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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Dead Will Tell (Kate Burkholder, #6) in Books

Feb 13, 2018

The sixth installment in Castillo's Kate Burkholder series finds Burkholder, Chief of Police of Painters Mill, investigating the apparent suicide of one of her town's citizens. Of course, not everything is at it seems, and Kate quickly realizes she's at a murder scene. Soon after, Kate finds herself investigating another death. Is it related to the first? And how are these deaths linked to a horrible tragedy that happened at a local Amish farm back in the 1970s? Meanwhile, as she juggles these cases, Kate finds herself in a difficult place with her boyfriend, John Tomasetti. The two have finally moved in together, but Tomasetti is struggling with his own demons, which threaten to destroy the life the couple has finally built.

Honestly, all of the Kate Burkholder novels are pretty similar. I'm a bit astounded why anyone would continue to live in Painters Mill at this point, as people die at an alarming rate in this town. Still, Castillo always offers an interesting mystery in her books, and this one is no exception. This particular novel offers an interesting intersection of the Amish in Painters Mill and the "English" community. I figured out the plot fairly early, but it didn't make the book any less readable or compelling. The book would stand-alone if you haven't read the previous novels, though the backstory between Tomasetti and Kate makes more sense if you're up to date. It seemed like some of Tomasetti's issues were a bit awkwardly inserted into the plot, but I'm glad to see the two of them progressing forward. Kate's not the most deep character, but she's likable and easy to root for, with a love for her job and her police "family" that comes across as strong and admirable.

Overall, an easy read with an enjoyable, if not exactly surprising, mystery plot. 3.5 stars.

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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Upgrade (2018) in Movies

Aug 16, 2019

Upgrade (2018)

2018 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

8.1

(45 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Robocop meets All of Me?

I found this film in a bargain bin at my local video shop for only $1 to purchase and after reading many good reviews I thought I couldn't go wrong and I was right.

Maybe a sci-fi/horror version of "The Six Million Dollar Man" is more appropriate.

In the future, a man and his wife have a car accident. Afterwards the woman is murdered and the man is shot leaving him paralyzed. Rather than living life with a severe handicap, the man decides to undergo an experimental medical procedure which would give him augmented abilities through the implantation of a mysterious computer chip which would control his ability to walk and use his arms.

Once he is back to "normal" he feels compelled to investigate the circumstances of his wife's death and hunt down those responsible. His ability start to manifest themselves once he is interacting with his new friend STEM.

His quest for vengeance and justice leads him through some interesting twists and turns before its unexpected conclusion.

This films pulls no punches (literally) and some of the fight scenes are not only well choreographed, but downright vicious and gory. The inaction between the main character and his mind are cool and unexpected. Even though you feel like you have seen this before in other movies, this one takes a fresh spin and keeps you guessing the majority of the time.

It appears writer/director Leigh Whannell (who also wrote the original Saw) is headed for great things probably because of this film as IMDb lists remakes of The Invisible Man and Escape From New York as his next projects.

Kudos

Eleanor (1463 KP) Aug 16, 2019

Keep seeing this on my Sky watch now list might give it a go. Thanks

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The King (After hours book 1) in Books

Apr 24, 2020

"How far would you go to get the one man you've been dreaming about all your life?"

I am such a cliche.

I have the hots for my boss.

Well, he's not really my boss since that job title belongs to my best friend in the whole wide world and as much as I love her to death, I don't exactly spend countless hours imagining licking her hard abs with whip cream like I do her business partner.

Too much?

Sorry.

My bad.

Unfortunately, when my head is on the magnetic, breathtakingly gorgeous Dean Knox, I get carried away.

I can't promise that outbursts like this one won't happen again, so fair warning.

I've been working at Royal Magazine for two years now, and although I love it, watching the man I'm crushing on, surrounded by gorgeous beauties, twenty-four seven, is kind of a bummer.

But lo and behold, I think I might have just found a way to get what I want.

I might have to lie, steal, cheat and basically lose all my morals in the process, but if it gets me the man of my dreams, then it will be worth it.

Right?

I guess there's only one way to find out.

Wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it.
I actually loved it! Not sure if it’s me being over emotional after a tough day but I got emotional reading it! I started it within 1.5 hours I’d finished! Loved it!! Edie is just adorable and Dean is hot as hell! The sex scenes were hot and heavy which I think Ivy Fox does so well! They are never repetitive. Really enjoyed it