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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Stacks, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie Harris is helping put together a display about the various teen detectives for the Athena Public Library. Since he’s a fan of the little known Veronica Thane series, he’s hoping to highlight it. He’s delighted to learn that the author lives nearby and is willing to make a rare appearance during that time. But news that she will be there brings out some obsessed fans, and a murder quickly follows. Can Charlie figure out what happened?
As a fan of teen detectives myself, I found this book a lot of fun. The mystery was strong with a few elements from the teen detective genre thrown in for good measure, which added to the plot. We didn’t see quite as much of the supporting cast as usual, but the new characters more than made up for it, and Diesel, Charlie’s cat, is as charming as ever.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-silence-of-library-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As a fan of teen detectives myself, I found this book a lot of fun. The mystery was strong with a few elements from the teen detective genre thrown in for good measure, which added to the plot. We didn’t see quite as much of the supporting cast as usual, but the new characters more than made up for it, and Diesel, Charlie’s cat, is as charming as ever.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-silence-of-library-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Kneaded to Death in Books
Feb 19, 2018
Ivy Culpepper has come back to her home town of Santa Sofia and is trying to put her life back together after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. When a murder occurs outside the local bakery where Ivy is taking a baking lesson, the three sisters who own the bakery are suspected of the crime. Sure that they wouldn’t kill anyone, Ivy starts investigating on her own.
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
Penelope Sutherland is beginning to build her catering company, and landing the job catering the movie her best friend Arlena is starring is in a plum gig indeed. That is until a dead body is found outside the house where the two women live and accidents keep happening to on the set that appear to make Arlena the target. What is going on?
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Midwife Sarah Brandt is returning to visit a mother and newborn when she learns there has been a death at the home. A boarder was strangled during the night, and it turns out this is the younger sister of someone she knew years ago. Determined to see justice done, Sarah teams up with the very reluctant Frank Malloy, the detective assigned to the case, to find the killer.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Pirate Vishnu in Books
Jul 27, 2018
Jaya’s Second Treasure Hunt Hits Close to Home
Jaya Jones has yet to live down the fame of her first treasure hunt when a man walks into her office with a second treasure map. This one appears to have the location of a treasure in San Francisco, but it’s the connection to Jaya’s family that peaks her interest. The map was drawn by her great-granduncle. A dead body only complicates Jaya’s quest. Can she stay alive long enough to learn what is going on?
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
Sue (5 KP) rated Death on the Menu in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Hayley Snow is a food critic for Key Zest magazine and also assists her mom at a catering business. When a bid is won for a catering job for a high profile 3-day Cuban event, Hayley once more finds herself knee-deep in murder.
Just as the flan is being served during the event, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal is discovered missing from its case and the new busboy Gabriel is found stabbed to death in a storeroom. Gabriel’s family wants answers, so Hayley puts on her sleuthing cap to figure out who amongst the long list of suspects wanted Gabriel dead. Why was he murdered and what does it have to do with the missing gold medal?
Lucy Burdette weaves a wonderful mystery which includes a female lead with a flair for solving murders, a supporting case of fun & quirky characters, a great mix of possible suspects, and lots of twists and turns until you finally discover whodunnit.
Just as the flan is being served during the event, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal is discovered missing from its case and the new busboy Gabriel is found stabbed to death in a storeroom. Gabriel’s family wants answers, so Hayley puts on her sleuthing cap to figure out who amongst the long list of suspects wanted Gabriel dead. Why was he murdered and what does it have to do with the missing gold medal?
Lucy Burdette weaves a wonderful mystery which includes a female lead with a flair for solving murders, a supporting case of fun & quirky characters, a great mix of possible suspects, and lots of twists and turns until you finally discover whodunnit.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Hudson's Kill in Books
Oct 25, 2019
Hudson's Kill
If you have seen Gangs of New York then you know the period this novel is set. This book is completely immersive, Hirsch has done an incredible amount of research, to the language used, the the style of buildings. I often felt myself drawn into the period, even dreaming about the city in my sleep, his descriptions become so vivid. Hudson's Kill has pretty much got a bit of everything for everyone. It's a thriller, it's a murder mystery, it's a political and corruption rollercoaster, it's full of action, it has heroes , villains and enough in every page to keep you turning. All this and written in a way that is very easy and absorbing. Hirsch is a master and it is very hard to believe this is only his second novel. Hudson's Kill deserves to be celebrated and loved, a rare book that will delight so many and deserves to be read. 4/5
The Shipwreck Hunter: A Lifetime of Extraordinary Discoveries on the Ocean Floor
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David Mearns has discovered some of the world's most fascinating and elusive shipwrecks. From the...
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
8.8
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Movie
Nominated for three Academy Awards, including "Best Picture," The Maltese Falcon is the film noir...
At Close Quarters: SOE Close Combat Pistol Instructor Colonel Hector Grant-Taylor
Book
The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was the paramount Allied sabotage force of the Second World...