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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Yule Log Murder in Books
Nov 6, 2018
Put on a Yule Log and Curl Up with this Novella Collection
This book contains three Christmas mystery novellas by three different mystery authors featuring their main sleuths. Up first is the title story by Leslie Meier as Lucy Stone tries to figure out how a young woman died on the set of a movie being filmed in town. Next comes "Death by Yule Log" by Lee Hollis. In this story, Hayley Powell meets her daughter's new boyfriend. While she is less than impressed with him, she begins to poke around when he is accused of murder. Finally comes "Logged On" by Barbara Ross. Christmas is approaching, and Julia Snowden is determined to make a great yule log to impress her boyfriend's family. She's so desperate she gets help from Mrs. St. Onge, an unpleasant neighbor everyone agrees makes the best yule log cakes around. Only, something seems off. Can Julia figure out what is going on?
Fans of any of these authors will want to pick up this book. All three feature strong mysteries. Each story is around 100 pages, yet still feature some good twists and surprises that kept the pages flying. I did find the characters in the Lucy Stone story annoying, but that is my only complaint with the book. I don't read Lee Hollis, but I am tempted to with how much I enjoyed the story here. I love Barbara Ross's books, so it was fabulous to get another story with them. You'll get plenty of Christmas spirit while reading this book, and each author includes some recipes you can make after you've finished the book, including three different recipes for yule logs.
Fans of any of these authors will want to pick up this book. All three feature strong mysteries. Each story is around 100 pages, yet still feature some good twists and surprises that kept the pages flying. I did find the characters in the Lucy Stone story annoying, but that is my only complaint with the book. I don't read Lee Hollis, but I am tempted to with how much I enjoyed the story here. I love Barbara Ross's books, so it was fabulous to get another story with them. You'll get plenty of Christmas spirit while reading this book, and each author includes some recipes you can make after you've finished the book, including three different recipes for yule logs.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Murder on Memory Lake in Books
Apr 8, 2020
Tranquility Shattered by Murder
Things are looking up for Alberta Scaglione in her retirement. She’s inherited money and a cabin on Memory Lake from an aunt, and her granddaughter, Jinx, has come back into her life thanks to a job for the local paper in Tranquility, New Jersey. However, things take a sad turn when Alberta finds the body of her childhood nemesis in the lake. Alberta quickly realizes the woman was murdered, and Jinx talks Alberta into investigating to jump start her transition to crime reporter. Can they solve the case?
The book starts out with a couple of chapters that are little more than data dumps, giving us the background on the characters. Yes, we need to know the information, but it could have been slipped into the novel better. The mystery itself is strong with several viable suspects and a logical trail to the great climax with some fun red herrings along the way. Alberta and Jinx are joined by another couple family members, and the four women are a delight, making me laugh a few times. The book is written in omniscient point of view, but mostly sticking with Alberta and Jinx. It mostly works, but it allows for passages of the characters pondering life. These felt like they’d be more at home in a literary novel than a mystery. The book closes out with a few recipes. The bones of the book are good, but overall, it felt overwritten. There is enough enjoyable elements to the book that if you are curious about the book, I recommend you check it out and see what you think for yourself.
The book starts out with a couple of chapters that are little more than data dumps, giving us the background on the characters. Yes, we need to know the information, but it could have been slipped into the novel better. The mystery itself is strong with several viable suspects and a logical trail to the great climax with some fun red herrings along the way. Alberta and Jinx are joined by another couple family members, and the four women are a delight, making me laugh a few times. The book is written in omniscient point of view, but mostly sticking with Alberta and Jinx. It mostly works, but it allows for passages of the characters pondering life. These felt like they’d be more at home in a literary novel than a mystery. The book closes out with a few recipes. The bones of the book are good, but overall, it felt overwritten. There is enough enjoyable elements to the book that if you are curious about the book, I recommend you check it out and see what you think for yourself.
Blood Ties
9.0
Rate It
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Blood Ties is the second murder mystery which features Detective Inspector Charlie Moon. Like the...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Framed and Frosted in Books
Jun 29, 2021
Murder Causes Fireworks
Emory Martinez is helping her sister cater an elaborate Fourth of July dinner. But the event is proving to be anything but pleasant thanks to the host, who is being obnoxious when he is not being a total jerk – and worse. The evening is supposed to end with the guests enjoying some of Emory’s cupcakes as the fireworks go off, but instead it ends when the host dies. The guests are happy to point suspicion at Sal, the other waiter working the event, but Emory is sure that Sal is innocent. Can she prove it?
I was happy to be able to catch up with Emory. For those reading the series, you’ll be glad to find out that the threads introduced in the early books are expanded on here. If you are new to the series, know that some events from earlier books are spoiled by necessity if you jump in here. We get to see some interesting developments in Emory’s life, and I enjoyed the growth that brought about for her and some other regulars. The mystery itself was strong and kept me engaged the entire time, although I did feel the climax was a bit abrupt. I love the Orange County, California, setting since it is different from so many of the cozies I read. We get ten new recipes at the end of the book, most of them inspired by the dinner that starts the book, although we do get three cupcake recipes. If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this series.
I was happy to be able to catch up with Emory. For those reading the series, you’ll be glad to find out that the threads introduced in the early books are expanded on here. If you are new to the series, know that some events from earlier books are spoiled by necessity if you jump in here. We get to see some interesting developments in Emory’s life, and I enjoyed the growth that brought about for her and some other regulars. The mystery itself was strong and kept me engaged the entire time, although I did feel the climax was a bit abrupt. I love the Orange County, California, setting since it is different from so many of the cozies I read. We get ten new recipes at the end of the book, most of them inspired by the dinner that starts the book, although we do get three cupcake recipes. If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this series.
Cadenza: The Kiss of Death - A Mystery Hidden Object Game
Games and Entertainment
App
Play the trial for FREE! Pay once & complete the adventure! You are asked to help with a murder...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Gosford Park (2001) in Movies
Mar 24, 2020
Underneath it all...and Altman film
Do you like DOWNTON ABBEY? Do you like Agatha Christie Murder Mysteries? Do you like the 1970's British television series UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then do I have a film for you.
GOSFORD PARK is an English Murder Mystery, set in the 1920's, featuring an All Star Cast, Directed by a 7 time Oscar nominee. It received critical acclaim in the year it was released (2001), earned 7 Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (Julian Fellowes...who would go on to create/write DOWNTON ABBEY).
Set in an English Country Manor, overseen by overbearing Lord William McCordle (Michael Gambon, the 2nd Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films), GOSFORD PARK tells of the trials, tribulations, loves and death (yes, there's a murder) of a host of characters both Upstairs (the wealthy) and Downstairs (the servants).
And what a cast it is! Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Charles Dance, Jeremy Northam, Tom Hollander and Bob Balaban lead the group of the wealthy, while Helen Mirren, Alan Bates, Clive Owen, Kelly MacDonald, Eileen Atkins and Emily Watson head up the cast of servants below the stairs.
Both Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren were nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for their work in this film (both losing to Jennifer Connelly for A BEAUTIFUL MIND).
Directed by Robert Altman (M*A*S*H, NASHVILLE), GOSFORD PARK is much of what you would expect from an Altman film...many, many people living their lives, sometimes intersecting with others, often times just going off on their own, tied together by the circumstances of being in this giant manor house on a weekend of a murder.
It is an ambitious, "Oscar bait" film that succeeds for the most part. And, if you are into the costumes, sets, Interior Design and intimate scenes of people talking, then you will be richly rewarded by this film.
I loved this film when it first came out and was anxiously looking forward to re-visiting it.
While I still liked it during this viewing, I did find the pacing to be languid and I started finding myself being frustrated by threads and character direction that just sort of petered out or ended all together with no real resolution. I know this was on purpose, for Altman would argue that this is what happens in real life, but I found this frustrating.
But this film has much, much going for it and if you haven't seen this - or haven't seen this in awhile - and are a fan of these types of films, then GOSFORD PARK will be a very rewarding 2 hours and 11 minutes of a movie going experience.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
GOSFORD PARK is an English Murder Mystery, set in the 1920's, featuring an All Star Cast, Directed by a 7 time Oscar nominee. It received critical acclaim in the year it was released (2001), earned 7 Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (Julian Fellowes...who would go on to create/write DOWNTON ABBEY).
Set in an English Country Manor, overseen by overbearing Lord William McCordle (Michael Gambon, the 2nd Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films), GOSFORD PARK tells of the trials, tribulations, loves and death (yes, there's a murder) of a host of characters both Upstairs (the wealthy) and Downstairs (the servants).
And what a cast it is! Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Charles Dance, Jeremy Northam, Tom Hollander and Bob Balaban lead the group of the wealthy, while Helen Mirren, Alan Bates, Clive Owen, Kelly MacDonald, Eileen Atkins and Emily Watson head up the cast of servants below the stairs.
Both Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren were nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for their work in this film (both losing to Jennifer Connelly for A BEAUTIFUL MIND).
Directed by Robert Altman (M*A*S*H, NASHVILLE), GOSFORD PARK is much of what you would expect from an Altman film...many, many people living their lives, sometimes intersecting with others, often times just going off on their own, tied together by the circumstances of being in this giant manor house on a weekend of a murder.
It is an ambitious, "Oscar bait" film that succeeds for the most part. And, if you are into the costumes, sets, Interior Design and intimate scenes of people talking, then you will be richly rewarded by this film.
I loved this film when it first came out and was anxiously looking forward to re-visiting it.
While I still liked it during this viewing, I did find the pacing to be languid and I started finding myself being frustrated by threads and character direction that just sort of petered out or ended all together with no real resolution. I know this was on purpose, for Altman would argue that this is what happens in real life, but I found this frustrating.
But this film has much, much going for it and if you haven't seen this - or haven't seen this in awhile - and are a fan of these types of films, then GOSFORD PARK will be a very rewarding 2 hours and 11 minutes of a movie going experience.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Rear Window (1954) in Movies
Dec 24, 2018
Great Mystery
A photojournalist is wheelchair-ridden, watching people in his apartment complex from his window for hours. He’s thrown for a loop when he witnesses what he thinks is a murder. He wants to get to the bottom of it or die trying.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
I’ll start with Stella (Thelma Ritter) who is easily my favorite character in the entire movie. She is an in-home nurse who is taking care of main character L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart). Out of all the characters in the story, she has the brightest sense of humor. I also loved that she takes zero guff from L.B., sometimes even making it seem like he works for her. She was stern and went beyond the parameters of her job doing everything from offering love advice to helping L.B. dive into the murder.
Of course I appreciated a number of the other characters as well, including the creepy Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr). He is the object of L.B.’s accusation. Lars does a great job of making you think L.B. could be right. At other times, Lars seems like just a normal guy going about his daily routine. He takes strange to new heights. Each of the characters, the important ones anyway, help to frame the story and keep you intrigued.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Genre: 5
Memorability: 10
Pace: 9
Plot: 10
Rear Window succeeds with a script that’s extremely crisp and engaging. Mystery and tension abound as you try and figure out what’s going to happen next. The story is simple, yet is peeled back in layers. Very well done.
Resolution: 10
I won’t dive in too much here but I will say that the ending is perfect to the point that it answers all the right questions. It doesn’t overdo things and try and unnecessarily put a bow on things. We find out what we need to know and that’s that.
Overall: 92
Alfred Hitchcock puts together stories like a boxer puts together a fight. He hits you with little jabs that wake you up. Eventually he goes in for the kill with harder punches that you’re not ready for. He is definitely one of the greats and Rear Window is yet another one of his classics to show for it.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
I’ll start with Stella (Thelma Ritter) who is easily my favorite character in the entire movie. She is an in-home nurse who is taking care of main character L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart). Out of all the characters in the story, she has the brightest sense of humor. I also loved that she takes zero guff from L.B., sometimes even making it seem like he works for her. She was stern and went beyond the parameters of her job doing everything from offering love advice to helping L.B. dive into the murder.
Of course I appreciated a number of the other characters as well, including the creepy Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr). He is the object of L.B.’s accusation. Lars does a great job of making you think L.B. could be right. At other times, Lars seems like just a normal guy going about his daily routine. He takes strange to new heights. Each of the characters, the important ones anyway, help to frame the story and keep you intrigued.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Genre: 5
Memorability: 10
Pace: 9
Plot: 10
Rear Window succeeds with a script that’s extremely crisp and engaging. Mystery and tension abound as you try and figure out what’s going to happen next. The story is simple, yet is peeled back in layers. Very well done.
Resolution: 10
I won’t dive in too much here but I will say that the ending is perfect to the point that it answers all the right questions. It doesn’t overdo things and try and unnecessarily put a bow on things. We find out what we need to know and that’s that.
Overall: 92
Alfred Hitchcock puts together stories like a boxer puts together a fight. He hits you with little jabs that wake you up. Eventually he goes in for the kill with harder punches that you’re not ready for. He is definitely one of the greats and Rear Window is yet another one of his classics to show for it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Ripe for Murder (Cypress Cove Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Penny and Antonia have been invited up to Napa County to look at a wine train. The owner is thinking about creating one and wants to use some of their land for the track. The trip on the train turns deadly when one of the investor’s wives is murdered, and the only logical suspect is Antonia’s daughter. Penny might not like Chantal, but she knows Chantal isn’t a killer. Can she prove it?
While I enjoyed the first in this series, I liked this one even better. The book does a great job of setting up the new characters, and once we got to know them, we were off and running with a mystery. The plot was fantastic, and I had missed the clues until they were pointed out at the end. The returning characters are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them again as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, pick up this book, and enjoy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ripe-for-murder-by-carlene.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I enjoyed the first in this series, I liked this one even better. The book does a great job of setting up the new characters, and once we got to know them, we were off and running with a mystery. The plot was fantastic, and I had missed the clues until they were pointed out at the end. The returning characters are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them again as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, pick up this book, and enjoy.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ripe-for-murder-by-carlene.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Gone Gull (Meg Langslow #21) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg and various family members are spending the summer at the craft retreat her grandmother, Cordelia, is starting on some old family property. While her grandfather is hot on the trail of some rare gulls that might be in the area, Meg is teaching the blacksmithing classes and trying to figure out who is out to sabotage the center. But as the second week is starting, Meg finds the body of a fellow instructor. Has the sabotage progressed to murder? Or is there another motive?
Those who love this series will find much to enjoy here. We once again get plenty of smiles and laughs, often at the way Meg’s grandparents interact with each other. The characters are wonderful, although we do miss a few of the regulars since this book takes Meg out of town. The mystery and Meg’s roll in it was a little weak, but the characters more than make up for this. I also truly appreciated the family relationships that have been built in this series here. That community is wonderful.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-gone-gull-by-donna-andrews.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those who love this series will find much to enjoy here. We once again get plenty of smiles and laughs, often at the way Meg’s grandparents interact with each other. The characters are wonderful, although we do miss a few of the regulars since this book takes Meg out of town. The mystery and Meg’s roll in it was a little weak, but the characters more than make up for this. I also truly appreciated the family relationships that have been built in this series here. That community is wonderful.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-gone-gull-by-donna-andrews.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Whispers of Warning (A Change of Fortune Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Between plans to open the new pier in Old Orchard, Maine, and suffragist Sophronia Foster Eldridge being in town, things are busy for Ruby Proulx. The Belden, the hotel her aunt owns, is completely booked. Then a guest is murdered. With the police focused on the pier opening, Sophronia finds herself trying to track down the killer. Can she do it?
Once again, I found myself caught up in turn of last century Maine. It’s a great look at life back then. The mystery took a little while to really take off, but the story did a good job of using that time to introduce us to the suspects. Once the murder happened, I was glued to the page. Ruby is a fascinating main character, and I also enjoy the scenes we get from police detective Yancey’s point of view. The supernatural element is prevalent but still mild. I’m not usually a fan, but here it works well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-whispers-of-warning-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Once again, I found myself caught up in turn of last century Maine. It’s a great look at life back then. The mystery took a little while to really take off, but the story did a good job of using that time to introduce us to the suspects. Once the murder happened, I was glued to the page. Ruby is a fascinating main character, and I also enjoy the scenes we get from police detective Yancey’s point of view. The supernatural element is prevalent but still mild. I’m not usually a fan, but here it works well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-whispers-of-warning-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.