Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (353)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
    Warner Música

    Warner Música

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    YouTube Channel

    El canal oficial de Warner Music en Español. La casa de tus artistas favoritos! Podrás encontrar...

    Runaway (2005)

    Runaway (2005)

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Movie

    Michael Adler has run away from his suburban home with his little brother Dylan. Hiding out in a...

40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Newcomer in Books

May 6, 2021  
The Newcomer
The Newcomer
Mary Kay Andrews | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A fairly cute but rather unbelievable romance/mystery
When Letty Carnahan finds her sister Tanya dead, she knows she has to flee. Tanya warned her about this--if anything happened to her, Letty was to take Tanya's four-year-old daughter, Maya, and run. Letty has no idea where to go, but Tanya's left behind one clue: a magazine article with a motel circled. She and Maya arrive at the Murmuring Surf, a little motel in Florida, exhausted. Letty is convinced that Tanya's ex--Maya's father--a rich businessman is after them. But at "the Surf," the owner, Ava DeCurtis, takes a liking to Maya (and Letty). Despite the No Vacancy sign, she lets Letty and Maya stay in a tiny efficiency. But the rest of the hotel regulars regard Letty and Maya--the newcomers--with suspicion, as does Ava's son, local cop Joe DeCurtis. Joe is pretty convinced Letty is a fugitive and maybe even a murderer. As Letty tries to settle in and heal with Maya, she attempts to unravel exactly what happened to Tanya: and the more she finds out, the more it leads back to the Surf.

"Nobody could be trusted. Not after everything that had happened."

This is a cute, serviceable mystery-romance combo, albeit a slightly preposterous and unbelievable one. Letty flees Tanya's murder scene successfully, a wanted criminal, recognized by no one except Joe, an upstanding, rule-abiding cop who doesn't turn her in. And when the FBI enters the tale, their actions seem highly unreasonable, but... I guess we are supposed to believe anything in the name of love?

As for this love, it's complete insta-love and honestly, at times, a little cringe-worthy. Joe falls for Letty basically on sight and is rather pushy in trying to convince her to be in a relationship. (Hey this is crazy, we just met, I'm not turning you in, let's move in together... umm ok?) It was all a bit much.

Now, the old folks staying at the motel were a total trip. I could completely buy their crazy. And I loved Ava, who was a sweet, overly-trusting, but tough and brave mom, who just wanted to take care of everyone. (I didn't believe that Maya, who had endured great trauma, just sweetly sat and colored for hours each day while Letty worked--I'd like to meet that four-year-old!) The motel setting was spot on, and I desperately wanted to be at the beach while reading the entire book.

Overall, this one held my attention and I couldn't help but root for Letty (and Maya), but it probably won't stick with me. Joe often rubbed me the wrong way and some of the plot points had me rolling my eyes. Still, a cute summery read. 3 stars.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated All Aboard for Murder in Books

Jul 29, 2026 (Updated Jul 29, 2026)  
All Aboard for Murder
All Aboard for Murder
Ellen Byron | 2026 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dee is Tracking Another Killer
Every October, the community of Goldsgone, which is near Dee’s motel, celebrates the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man who made sure they got designated a historic landmark. Of course, they are also celebrating Halloween. Among the events is a Halloween themed fundraiser for the historic society on the railroad that Angus’s only living heir runs. But the event ends with Moses Sprockles dead. It originally looks like an accident, but there are things that don’t add up. Dee’s father had become friends with Moses, and he asks Dee to poke around even though this murder doesn’t appear to have anything to do with her motel. Can Dee find the killer?

This series continues to be so much fun. The plot is strong, with several subplots strengthen the story. The California setting and the Hollywood elements add to the fun for me. I love the cast of characters no matter how much page time they get, and I appreciated how one relationship moved forward. Everything did reach a logical climax. And the story had appropriate autumn vibes with a fun Halloween element included as well. At the end, we get a road trip tip and a bonus recipe. I also smiled and laughed at the character’s antics and a few of the scenes. All told, this is another winner you’re sure to enjoy.