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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A Sense of Entitlement (Hattie Davish Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hattie's summer in Newport doesn't go quite as planned when she finds herself as a social secretary to an upward climbing socialite. Add to that labor relations issues and a murder. Can Hattie figure out what is happening?
This was my introduction to the series, but I had no problems jumping in here. The trip back to the 1890's was interesting, and all the characters were very well developed. I just felt the pacing got off a couple of times. Other than that, I enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-sense-of-entitlement-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was my introduction to the series, but I had no problems jumping in here. The trip back to the 1890's was interesting, and all the characters were very well developed. I just felt the pacing got off a couple of times. Other than that, I enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-sense-of-entitlement-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Mr. Monk Helps Himself (Mr. Monk #16) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Natalie's new self-help guru commits suicide in the middle of a public event, but she's convinced it is murder. Meanwhile, Monk is hired to find the killer of a clown, one of his top 100 phobias. This is going to be the biggest test of their new partnership.
This is the first tie in novel not written by Lee Goldberg, but since Hy was a writer on the show, he already knows the characters. He's picked up from where Lee left off, and fans of the show and the books will love it. Laughs, good mysteries, and great characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-mr-monk-helps-himself-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the first tie in novel not written by Lee Goldberg, but since Hy was a writer on the show, he already knows the characters. He's picked up from where Lee left off, and fans of the show and the books will love it. Laughs, good mysteries, and great characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-mr-monk-helps-himself-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated NYPD Puzzle (Puzzle Lady #15) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When lawyer Becky Baldwin gets a new client in NYC she doesn't feel comfortable with, she asks famed Puzzle Lady Cora Felton to act as her body guard. But when they arrive for the meeting, the client is dead with a crossword puzzle on his body. Then Cora is arrested for the murder. What is going on?
This books are always fun and quick witted, and this is no exception. The plot is a little weak, but the characters get frustrated by my frustrations, too, so it was on purpose. Still, fun overall and definitely one fans of the series will enjoy.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-nypd-puzzle-by-parnell-hall.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This books are always fun and quick witted, and this is no exception. The plot is a little weak, but the characters get frustrated by my frustrations, too, so it was on purpose. Still, fun overall and definitely one fans of the series will enjoy.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-nypd-puzzle-by-parnell-hall.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Cat Got Your Cash (Kitty Couture Mystery #2) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Lacy Crocker is back in another fun and fur-filled adventure. The story wastes no time getting right to the business of murder when Lacy goes to meet her design hero to show off some of her creations, she finds the designer dead on the floor in her home. As much as to protect the dead womans Siamese as to see justice done, Lacy jumps right in to find the killer. With a clever heroine, a dash of romance, and cats galore, theres something in this cozy to please almost everyone.
Enjoy the guest post from author Julie Chase on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/04/19/cat-got-your-cash-guest-post-and-giveaway/">my blog</a>.
Enjoy the guest post from author Julie Chase on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/04/19/cat-got-your-cash-guest-post-and-giveaway/">my blog</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Fatal Fiction (A Book Barn Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When Charli returns to her hometown of Hazel Rock, Texas, its only meant to be a quick trip. When first she and then her father are accused of murder, however, she decides to hang around until she can clear her dads name.
The barn-as-a-bookstore setting and an armadillo named Princess with the run of the place would have been enough to pique my interest in this cozy, but in Charli I also got a believable, fallible, and perfectly human heroine. She has her issues with the town and the people that she thought shed left in the past, but doesnt let it stop her from doing whats right. Im looking forward to more adventures with Charli and Princess!
The barn-as-a-bookstore setting and an armadillo named Princess with the run of the place would have been enough to pique my interest in this cozy, but in Charli I also got a believable, fallible, and perfectly human heroine. She has her issues with the town and the people that she thought shed left in the past, but doesnt let it stop her from doing whats right. Im looking forward to more adventures with Charli and Princess!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Raging Heat (Nikki Heat, #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on NYC, Nikki is racing to solve the murder of a man who fell from a plane. Are the clues leading to a powerful politician? Or is she ignoring the true trail and the clues that her boyfriend Rook is finding?
While there are scenes and lines that fans of Castle will love, this book works well as a mystery on its own. And the arrival of Sandy, while predictably timed, does add a great new layer to the story. Some interesting character development and this book is another winner is one of the most brilliant tie in series of all time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-raging-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While there are scenes and lines that fans of Castle will love, this book works well as a mystery on its own. And the arrival of Sandy, while predictably timed, does add a great new layer to the story. Some interesting character development and this book is another winner is one of the most brilliant tie in series of all time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-raging-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Space Case (Moon Base Alpha #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Dashiell Gibson is one of the first people living on the Moon colony, and he’s found life for the kids to be rather boring. All that changes when one of the residents is found dead outside the base. While everyone thinks it was an accident, Dash is certain it was murder. But can he prove it?
This is a great combination of mystery and science fiction. The setting is realistically done and really adds to the story. The target middle grade audience will love the characters and the humor. Personally, I never saw the ending coming. I can’t wait for the sequel.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-space-case-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a great combination of mystery and science fiction. The setting is realistically done and really adds to the story. The target middle grade audience will love the characters and the humor. Personally, I never saw the ending coming. I can’t wait for the sequel.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-space-case-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Bluffing is Murder in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While out for a run, Lauren finds the body of Charles Heard, a man she had publically argued with the previous day. Is local politics involved in his death? Or is something else in play?
The mystery in this one could have been stronger, but I did still enjoy the book. The plot was always moving forward, and the characters are great. Watching the growth between the books makes it even more interesting.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
SECOND NOTE: Tace Baker is actually a pen name for Edith Maxwell and no relation to me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-bluffing-is-murder-by-tace.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery in this one could have been stronger, but I did still enjoy the book. The plot was always moving forward, and the characters are great. Watching the growth between the books makes it even more interesting.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
SECOND NOTE: Tace Baker is actually a pen name for Edith Maxwell and no relation to me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-bluffing-is-murder-by-tace.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Murder on the Orient Express (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Hard to see past the moustache
Nice-looking and competent new version of the Agatha Christie classic, made in the traditional all-star manner. A bit hard to be gripped by the actual murder-mystery plot, but maybe that's because the twist in this story is so famous it barely qualifies as such any more.
Often looks more like a commercial for a luxury railway touring holiday than an actual thriller, but I suppose the production values are part of the appeal of this sort of film. Ken Branagh is arguably just a little bit hammy as a version of Poirot who appears to have some form of ASD, but he has a certain moral authority. Probably won't rock your world but passes the time nicely enough.
Often looks more like a commercial for a luxury railway touring holiday than an actual thriller, but I suppose the production values are part of the appeal of this sort of film. Ken Branagh is arguably just a little bit hammy as a version of Poirot who appears to have some form of ASD, but he has a certain moral authority. Probably won't rock your world but passes the time nicely enough.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Sharp Objects in TV
Aug 29, 2018
A great slow burner...
... But a shame about the ending! I did really enjoy this drama series. It has a great cast, cinematography and a gripping raw, brutal and haunting storyline. It's a very classy production. Definitely one that centres on character study, the murder mystery side almost taking a back seat. The only reason I can't give it a 9 or 10 the ending and final episode felt kinda rushed with a lot of unanswered questions. A twist that came out of nowhere. You have to watch until the end of the credits for a very quick summing up scene. After the pace of the first 7 episodes it was a slightly disappointing end to a great series.