Search
Search results
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Crash & Burn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I have read a few of Lisa Gardners books and have enjoyed them all but this was something different and equally as good. This is the third story in the Tessa Leoni series but you definitely dont have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this and it can be read as a standalone. I would however like to add a caveat to this as I do believe it would be beneficial to read the other books in order to get an insight into Tessa as Lisa touches on this in this book and I did feel I was missing out on something from previous stories but, as this book doesn't focus on Tessa that much, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Full review here - http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/crash-burn-by-lisa-gardner.html, please stop by and have a look :)
Full review here - http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/crash-burn-by-lisa-gardner.html, please stop by and have a look :)
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Hmm...well the word peculiar in the title certainly fits this book exceptionally well! I'm not quite sure what to say about it. It is without a doubt like nothing else I've ever read. The story is interesting & quite the concept...very creative. Yet it still felt like there was something missing, but I'm hard pressed to put my thumb on just what that would be!
The characters are well written & nicely developed. The plot moves along nicely with some twists & turns. The ending left a bit to be desired, but it was very open. I hear there is a sequel in the works so that explains that. It was an okay read & I do think I'd pick up the next book in the series. Maybe it will help me make up my mind on how I feel about Miss Peregrine & her peculiar children. I guess we will see...
The characters are well written & nicely developed. The plot moves along nicely with some twists & turns. The ending left a bit to be desired, but it was very open. I hear there is a sequel in the works so that explains that. It was an okay read & I do think I'd pick up the next book in the series. Maybe it will help me make up my mind on how I feel about Miss Peregrine & her peculiar children. I guess we will see...
Sue (5 KP) rated Rescue Team (Grace Medical, #2) in Books
Apr 23, 2018
Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Even Vampires Get the Blues (Dark Ones #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
A good stand alone book in the <b>Dark Ones</b> series, but I felt as if something was missing. The relationship was nice and I liked the two main characters, Sam and Paen. I loved the idea of a Scottish Dark One, and even though some of Paen's dialogue was stilted, I still thought he was a good character. However, Sam's cousin, Clare, was trying and she didn't add any comedic value, she was just a self-absorbed nuisance. The ending was a little dumb, but not the worst I've read. I liked how Katie MacAlister expanded the Dark Ones universe, but wished there had been at least one character from previous entries so it felt as if it were part of the series. Overall, it was a nice way to spend some time, but not much is memorable and not a keeper for me.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Of Gods and Men in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Enough hints to anticipate twists and reveals (1 more)
Short and concise
Fantastic taster of Aryan's writing and world
*** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Child in Books
Jan 20, 2018 (Updated Jan 20, 2018)
Good twist at the end
Fiona Barton's thrillers are always very accessible, it truly feels like you're reading an updated whodunit. The story surrounds various women with lots of secrets, that seem to emerge after the discovery of the remains of a baby at a building site.
Emma, a neurotic writer, her cold mother Jude, the mother of a missing infant Angelica, and of course, journalist Kate Walker take centre stage in this book. Each voice is unique with Kate being driven and ambitious, Emma appearing secretive, and the fragile Angelica breaking down fairly regularly. In this way, you're unlikely to become confused as the characters are distinct.
No doubt, a lot does happen so there is a question of whether Barton may have overdone the story. However, the last twist at the end was less obvious than the others and so the story concluded satisfactorily. An enjoyable read.
Emma, a neurotic writer, her cold mother Jude, the mother of a missing infant Angelica, and of course, journalist Kate Walker take centre stage in this book. Each voice is unique with Kate being driven and ambitious, Emma appearing secretive, and the fragile Angelica breaking down fairly regularly. In this way, you're unlikely to become confused as the characters are distinct.
No doubt, a lot does happen so there is a question of whether Barton may have overdone the story. However, the last twist at the end was less obvious than the others and so the story concluded satisfactorily. An enjoyable read.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Truffled to Death in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Michelle are Erica are pleased when their combined chocolate and bookstore is chosen to host a reception to honor a donation of ancient Maya artifacts to a local museum. However, the day after the reception, the artifacts are missing, and a day later someone is murdered. Can the friends figure out what is going on?
I enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. The characters are strong, and I loved seeing how the returning characters developed further over the course of the book. The plots was strong, and because of the subject matter included more than the typical cozy plot, which I also enjoyed. I’m already looking forward to book three.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-truffled-to-death-by-kathy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. The characters are strong, and I loved seeing how the returning characters developed further over the course of the book. The plots was strong, and because of the subject matter included more than the typical cozy plot, which I also enjoyed. I’m already looking forward to book three.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-truffled-to-death-by-kathy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Presumed Puzzled (Puzzle Lady #17) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Roger Martindale is missing, and his wife, Pamela, has received a crossword puzzle. That evening, he returns home only to be hacked to death. Chief Harper thinks that Pamela did it since she was found with the bloody knife in her hand, but the twists for Puzzle Lady Cora Felton are just beginning.
And twists there are. Yes, Cora is right in the thick of things, and as the book progresses she gets even more involved. The characters are a little thin, but they usually are in this series. The real star here is the verbal battles the characters have, which are fun and funny as always. The quick wit and the banter made me laugh several times before we reached the logical conclusions.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-presumed-puzzled-by-parnell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
And twists there are. Yes, Cora is right in the thick of things, and as the book progresses she gets even more involved. The characters are a little thin, but they usually are in this series. The real star here is the verbal battles the characters have, which are fun and funny as always. The quick wit and the banter made me laugh several times before we reached the logical conclusions.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-presumed-puzzled-by-parnell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Mercy (2018) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
A little depressing
I think the problem with this film is that it's a little too depressing. It's a true story that hasn't been hollywood-ised, and it comes across as very bleak and sad.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City in Books
Mar 15, 2018
An anthology of horror stories commissioned by producer Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity", "Insidious", "Sinister", "The Purge"), and written by many of the people who made those films with him, sounds like a pretty genius idea. Unfortunately, it turns out to be more than a little less so in actuality. Don't get me wrong, most of the stories here are pretty decent at the very least, and many contain interesting ideas, but there is one all-important thing missing across the board: fear. While there is no shortage of creepy imagery, upsetting situations and gore, at no point did any of these actually scare me. Some of the stories were so lacking in any sense of suspense that it was hard not to wonder if they were actually even horror. All in all it's not a bad read, but it's hard not to come out of this at least somewhat disappointed.