Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Game Night (2018) in Movies

Mar 5, 2018 (Updated Mar 22, 2019)  
Game Night (2018)
Game Night (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Mystery
Knowingly absurd black comedy thriller is powered along by engaging performances and some good gags. A group of affluent friends think they're participating in a kind of murder mystery role-playing game; in fact the situation is in deadly earnest.

The script goes into overdrive to sustain this fairly preposterous premise for 100 minutes - it just about manages it but the first half inevitably feels a bit less forced than the conclusion. Still very funny indeed in places; there's a bit of tonal uncertainty - the thriller element is quite dark, with some graphic violence - but not enough to make the film uncomfortable to watch. Bateman and McAdams are particularly good, but lots of good turns here, both comic and straight. I laughed a lot, which is pretty unusual when it comes to me and modern comedies.
  
Charlie is surprised when James Delacorte asks for his help cataloging his private library since the two hardly know each other. But James fears that someone is stealing his rare books. Returning from his lunch break his first day on the job, Charlie finds James dead. Who killed him? Are there really missing library books?

I let too much time pass before I got back to this series, but I was thrilled to see Charlie and his cat Diesel again. They are great main characters, and I liked how Charlie and several relationships around him grew in this book. The mystery was a bit slow to get started, but once it did, the tension was strong and the ending was great.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-classified-as-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Fifth Witness (Mickey Haller #4)
The Fifth Witness (Mickey Haller #4)
Michael Connelly | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mickey has had to start taking on foreclosure cases to keep his firm growing, but when his first foreclosure client is accused of murder, Mickey finds himself once again practicing criminal law. His client is the easy suspect, and the case seems pretty circumstantial. But will he be able to get her off?

Naturally, the book is filled with twists and turns, and the outcome is never really that certain. The characters are great as well, especially Mickey who is so complex. Honestly, it’s so easy to root for him, flaws and all. I did feel the courtroom finagling slowed things down a little at times, especially when it was rehashing things we already knew, but overall, this is another strong book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-fifth-witness-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
MA
Murder at the Male Revue
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Catering a fund raiser for the community center is doing double duty for the Skinny Dipping Grandmas as they can also check “Visit a strip club” off Joy’s bucket list. But when the auction for the men gets started, chaos insures and the town council’s president is murdered. Who could as done it?

As always, Francine is our guide to this third wacky and fun mystery. There are some good secrets, twists, and surprises that come out, although the ending did feel a bit abrupt. The characters are fun and strong. Between a couple of slapstick scenes and the dialogue, we get some great laughs along the way as well.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-murder-at-male-revue-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Blackberry Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #17)
Blackberry Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #17)
Joanne Fluke | 2014 | Mystery
8
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been four months since Hannah last found a dead body, and the only thing on her mind is getting her mother to settle on something for her wedding. That is until a sever summer storm forces Hannah to lose control of her car and hit a man, killing him. But no one recognizes him. Who is he? And what was he doing in Lake Eden?

There is little that changes in the lives of the characters, but I still enjoyed visiting them again since I found them their normal charming selves. The cliffhanger at the end definitely made me want the next book out soon. Can't believe I have to wait a year to find out what happens next.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-blackberry-pie-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #5; Harry Bosch Universe, #25)
The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #5; Harry Bosch Universe, #25)
Michael Connelly | 2013 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mickey Haller’s latest murder case involves the death of a prostitute with her pimp as the prime suspect. Only Mickey knew Gloria when she was alive, working out what he thought was a deal to get her out of the life. Where has she been for the last eight years? And can Mickey get his client off when the odds keep piling up against him?

This was another gripping legal thriller that was almost impossible to stop reading. There were great twists and surprises along the way, yet there was still time for the characters to continue growing. I hope it isn’t too long before we are treated with another case for this great team.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-gods-of-guilt-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
When a loyal customer brings her typewriter into The Rescued Word to be repaired, Clare Henry is shocked when a stranger follows her in demanding to buy that exact typewriter and only that typewriter. The next morning, the stranger is dead behind the shop. What was he so obsessed with that typewriter? Did it have anything to do with his murder?

This may be a debut, but the characters are already sharp, and I loved them for it. Several sub-plots revolving around them really helped with that. Unfortunately, that overwhelms the main mystery, which is very weak as a result. The climax especially suffers.

NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-to-helvetica-and-back-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
TT
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'll be honest and say that none of the characters within this really gripped me into the point where I wanted to know more about that person and I wanted the story to progress in their direction, however it was an enjoyable story line. Lolita with murder.

As much as I liked this book, Dicker wasn't able to explain to me why Nola fell in love with Harry, it never explained that infatuation they had for each other deep enough for me to be able to get the love affair. As similar this book is to other books, it still had some sort of edge to it that made me keep on reading. The ending was a predictable shock, but nevertheless, I didn't mind the read. Not as good as it was made out to be.
  
Well, I've found yet another cozy mystery series to add to my must-buy list! I really enjoyed the setting - a working historical farm - and learned everything I could want to know about maple syrup production. Not in a clinical way, but as interesting bits of information presented during the story.

Our heroine Kelsey has her hands full trying to run the farm, raise her kindergarten-age son, and solve a murder before the police can pin it on one of her young employees. There was an interesting cast of characters, and that homey, small-town feel that I love in a good cozy.

While previous events are mentioned, it's not necessary to have read book 1 to know what's going on.

NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
  
Reading Up a Storm focuses more on characters outside of the library staff than the first two novels in the series, and Lucy has a new friend in this one who is accused of murder. Of course she doesn't trust that the police will see past her friend Stephanie's apparent motive for the crime, and is soon getting herself into trouble asking questions and trying to solve the case by herself. She probably figured it out long before I did, but it was gratifying to find that the killer was the person I suspected, for once.

And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.