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Hooked on Murder (Crochet Mystery, #1)
5
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I Wasn’t Quite Hooked on This Debut
Recently widowed Molly Pink has landed a job as the events coordinator at a local independent bookstore. Part of that is overseeing the crochet group that meets in their event space. When one of their members, Ellen Sheridan, leaves behind her crochet needles, Molly decides to run them home. Unfortunately, she finds Ellen’s dead body, and the police are right behind her. Molly has more of a connection to Ellen then she lets on at first, and the police think that makes her a great suspect. Can she figure out what really happened?

When I realized this book was set in Southern California, I decided I had to give it a try. While there is a good mystery in here, the pacing is off, and some of the sub-plots slowed things down further. On the other hand, I loved the characters, who are varied and charming. I especially enjoyed the fictional celebrities who showed up. Part of my problem was the writing, which felt a bit vague at times, and kept me from getting fully into Molly’s world. There is a simple crochet project and a delicious sounding recipe at the end. I liked the characters enough to consider picking up the sequel, but it’s not a series I’m going to rush back to.
  
Molly is involved in a train accident, but a note that her husband, police detective Daniel Sullivan, receives leads them to believe it might not have been an accident and Molly might have been the target. Meanwhile, Molly’s friend and neighbor Gus asks for help with a young girl who is experiencing horrible nightmares.

This series is always a great way to travel back to early 1900’s New York City, and this book is no exception. The plot starts out strongly, and the pace never lags. The characters are charming as always, and their continued growth is enjoyable to watch. I’ve been a fan since the first book, and this is another winner.

NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-edge-of-dreams-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Daniel accepts a temporary top secret assignment with the Secret Service. Molly is trying not to worry about her husband until she gets a strange note in the mail. The more she looks at it, the more she thinks he is asking her to come to San Francisco. Why would Daniel ask for Molly’s help? What will she find when she arrives?

This is another wonderful trip back to 1906 with Molly and her family and friends. We get to see them before and after the time in San Francisco, but that never really slows down the plot. The mystery does get a bit sidetracked by the real events unfolding in the city during that time, but it still makes for page turning reading.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-time-of-fire-and-fog-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
FT
For the Love of Mike (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #3)
Rhys Bowen | 2004 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Searching for missing woman and working undercover in the sweat shops of 1901 New York is enough to keep Molly very busy. Can she find the woman while also forming an early union? The historical detail, characters, and plot all come together for a great book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-for-love-of-mike-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
 Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart (2019)
2019 | Comedy
Booksmart is fun and funny, though not as funny as it thinks it is, and has a strong friendship at its core. It takes a while for the film to find its feet and it’s not until Amy and Molly are in full party-hunting-mode that it figures out what it wants to be. The soundtrack is pretty killer though.

Full Review: https://jumpcutonline.co.uk/review-booksmart-2019/
  
Molly the Mole: A Story to Help Children Build Self-Esteem by Alice Reeves is part of the Truth and Tails series, specifically regarding Self-Esteem. Molly is feeling sad because she is comparing herself to her friends. She does not think she measures up in various areas. Through helping her friends with different things, they help to show her that she has other traits and qualities that make her special too. The lesson of being yourself and feeling good about it is one important message, but also accepting each other for who they are and for whatever their talents and skills might be.

The questions at the end of the book to promote discussion are an added bonus. This is a good addition to an elementary class to help develop values and positive character.

I give this book 4/5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher,Jessica Kingsley Publishers, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
Forget You Know Me
Forget You Know Me
Jessica Strawser | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Talking is good!
This is my first Jessica Strawser book, and I don't think it will be my last. From other reviews, it would seem that this is a departure from the 'thriller' genre of her previous novels: it's definitely more 'Literary Fiction'. There's no real mystery (ok, just the one), and everyone's cards are pretty much laid out on the table. It's just that they all seem incapable of talking to one another: Molly and Liza, once best friends, become more and more estranged as they live so far from one another. Daniel and Molly, although they are married, seem to be growing apart, and due to the demands of work and children, do not seem to have any time for one another. The takeaway message in this seems to be - just talk to each other, for goodness sakes! Relationships need effort from all sides!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of this book to read and enjoy!
  
40x40

David McK (3207 KP) rated Down Town in Books

Jan 22, 2021  
Down Town
Down Town
Jim Butcher | 2015 | Comics & Graphic Novels
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Original story, set between the events of 'White Night' and 'Small Favor', in which Harry, Molly and Mouse end up investigating a case (and reluctantly teaming up with 'Gentleman Johnny Marcone') that leads to a mad sorcerer living in Chicago's Undertown who has an issue with Marcone becoming a signatory of the Unseelie Accords.

Middle of the road stuff: It adds a bit more to the background of Harry's world, but is not essential.
  
Kink (Vixen Bluff #2)
Kink (Vixen Bluff #2)
Catherine Black | 2018 | Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
99 of 250
Kindle
Kink ( Vixen Bluff book 2)
By Catherine Black

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Molly I haven't been with a man in over five years. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. You're wondering if I have a couple dozen cats or if I have to sweep the cobwebs out before getting a Brazilian. But, ladies, I wanna let you in on a little secret... There is money to be made in what us working girls at White Light Sirens like to call 'non-penetrative fantasies'. That's right. You want me—Molly Wilder—to parade around the room dressed like a giant teddy bear while you touch yourself? Sure. You want me to paint your naked body, turning you into an impressionist's wet dream? I'm on it. But if you even think about sliding between my legs, I'll rip our contract to shreds and kick you out the door so fast your manhood won't have time to soften. Barrett Molly makes a snap judgment about me the second I walk through her studio door, but I'm used to it. Women take one look at this body, this face, and immediately label me. I can see the flashing sign above their heads every time. “Danger! Danger!” If they only knew... Molly thinks I'm a client—just another John—and that's fine. I'm content to play her game because when I break her rules, when I expose her secrets and have her on her knees, vulnerable and afraid, then she'll understand. But until then, I have a job to do, and my first order of business is to make Molly realize I'm a man worth breaking for. Whether she knows it or not, her dry spell is about to come to an end. Make it rain, Miss Wilder. Make it rain.

Haha this was just pure filth! I usually skip most sex scenes in some of these books but if I did that I would have about 50 pages to read! The only difference being this one I didn’t as it was well written! The only reason I haven’t gone with a 4 star as I think it lacked a little depth, I know it’s only a short book it took just over an hour to read I just can’t figure out what was missing. Not sure I’ll ever look at a jar of peanut butter the same way again though 😂.
  
 Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart (2019)
2019 | Comedy
"Superbad" For A New Generation
Booksmart is a 2019 coming-of-age comedy directed by Olivia Wilde from a screenplay by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman. It was produced by Annapurna Pictures and Gloria Sanchez Productions and distributed by United Artists Releasing. The movie stars Jessica Williams, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, and Jason Sudeikis.


Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) are high school seniors and best friends. Molly confronts some of her peers when she overhears them making fun of her in the bathroom and tells them how she got into a good school. They, however, reveal that despite partying, they too got into good colleges. Angered, Molly tells Amy that they should have enjoyed their time in high school more and convinces her to go to an end-of-year party. Determined to make up for lost time, they decide to cram four years of fun into one night.


This movie was hilariously funny and full of funny relatable characters. It reminded me a lot of Superbad, but a female version. The main characters had awesome chemistry and you wind up liking them right away and the situations they find themselves in border on the absurd. This film definitely delivers on the laughs but it also makes some solid points about friendship and acceptance. It's full of femininity being that both the main characters, the director, and writers were all women, but I'm sure anyone would think this film is humorous. Olivia Wilde did an amazing job in her directorial debut.