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Shadow of Murder (A Mac Faraday Mystery #14)
10.0
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You can't move to the next chapter of your life without tying up loose ends in the previous. True...
Mystery Thriller Fiction Paranormal Crime / Detective
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated Southern Ghost in Books
May 25, 2023
Ghosts of the Past Haunt the Present
Max Darling has taken on a new client he’s been keeping secret from his wife, Annie, owner of the mystery bookstore Death on Demand. However, that changes when the client, a beautiful young woman, disappears and Max is arrested for the crime. Annie doesn’t believe it, and together, the two of them work to figure out what really happened. The key appears to be tied to something that happened twenty years ago, the case that Max was hired to investigate. Is there more to figure out than the official story? If so, can Annie and Max figure out what happened then and find his client in time?
The plot really does focus on the mystery from the past, but I’m not complaining. It was a strong mystery with lots of motives and twists to keep me engaged. The suspects are all strong, and I appreciated that we got to know them a bit before we got their full backgrounds. Annie’s temper wasn’t as strong as in other books, and it had more of a comedic effect here. Speaking of comedy, the sub-plot with Max’s mom and her research project on ghosts of the south was wonderful. The references to other mystery books are still here but are more subdued, making them a fun bonus. If you want to see why this series is so beloved, this is a good one to pick up.
The plot really does focus on the mystery from the past, but I’m not complaining. It was a strong mystery with lots of motives and twists to keep me engaged. The suspects are all strong, and I appreciated that we got to know them a bit before we got their full backgrounds. Annie’s temper wasn’t as strong as in other books, and it had more of a comedic effect here. Speaking of comedy, the sub-plot with Max’s mom and her research project on ghosts of the south was wonderful. The references to other mystery books are still here but are more subdued, making them a fun bonus. If you want to see why this series is so beloved, this is a good one to pick up.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Da Vinci Code (2006) in Movies
Aug 14, 2019
No film since “The Last Temptation of Christ” has invoked as much controversy as The Da Vinci Code based on the book of the same name by Dan Brown. Prior to the film even being screened for the press, cries ran out to ban the film and its message that some find blasphemous. Fortunately calmer heads have prevailed and the film by Director Ron Howard has arrived in a wash of media frenzy not seen since Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.
If you are seeing a pattern forming, you would be correct as it seems that few topics can raise ire and wrath more than the topic of religion, especially if the film proposes a viewpoint that differs from the traditional beliefs that are given by the church, bible, and history.
In the film, a monk appears to murder an elderly man who with his last ounces of strength, manages to leave a cryptic riddle on his body. The bizarre nature of the crime prompts French police inspector Fache (Jean Reno) to travel to the Louvre to investigate the crime. A clue at the crime scene causes the police to summer Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) from a lecture hall where he is signing his latest book on symbols. Since the deceased was supposed to meet Langdon earlier in the day Langdon has fallen under suspicion for the crime.
As he attempts to decipher the message at the crime scene, Langdon encounters a police cryptologists named Sophie (Audrey Tautou), who informs Robert that he is in danger and soon the duo are fleeing from the police after deciphering some hidden clues at the crime scene.
Before either Robert or Audrey knows what is happening, they are being accused of multiple murders and on the run. As the clues begin to mount, the mystery takes an even stranger turn by the discovery of an artifact that when unlocked, should contain a map.
Seeking refuge and help, the duo arrive at the estate of Sir Leigh Teabing (Sir Ian Mc Kellen), who proceeds to tell Robert and Sophie that the clues they have uncovered are part of a cover-up that segments of the church will stop at nothing to keep secret. The nature of this secret is such that should it become public knowledge, then they very foundations of history, faith, and the church could be shaken to their core.
As the mystery becomes clearer, the group are attacked by a Monk named Silas (Paul Bettany), who has been doing the violent work of someone know as The Teacher in an effort to discover the location of artifacts and those attempting to uncover the mystery.
What follows is a frantic race that travels from Paris to London in an effort to get to the bottom of the mystery and unravel the true nature of the mystery and the secret that people are willing to kill for in order to protect.
While some may find the mystery, the players, and their motivations confusing, the film does grab hold and moves along at a solid pace. Ron Howard once again shows his skill by directing a film that is different from his other works, yet rich in its visuals and complexity. The scenic locales of the film enhance the mystery (For those who have not read the book), as they attempt to decipher the clues along with the characters.
The work from the cast was solid as Hanks gives a very good if restrained performance in his portrayal. Mc Kellen is a very nice blend of elegance and old world charm that lifts up every scene in which he is in.
While there are those who will lambaste the film for the message it provides, I chose to look at it as a film that does what movies should, entertain and make you think. The film is not saying its assertions are hard and cold facts, what it is doing is providing a vehicle for debate.
In college I was told that through debate comes knowledge and growth for a society. This was common in ancient Greek and Roman society where issues of the day would be debated in open forums. It seems that we as a society have become too insistent to take things at face value and have forgotten that the very nature of the human experience is to question, grow, and seek our own answers. As such the film is a great example of how Hollywood at times gets it right and provides solid entertainment that will stimulate as well as entertain.
If you are seeing a pattern forming, you would be correct as it seems that few topics can raise ire and wrath more than the topic of religion, especially if the film proposes a viewpoint that differs from the traditional beliefs that are given by the church, bible, and history.
In the film, a monk appears to murder an elderly man who with his last ounces of strength, manages to leave a cryptic riddle on his body. The bizarre nature of the crime prompts French police inspector Fache (Jean Reno) to travel to the Louvre to investigate the crime. A clue at the crime scene causes the police to summer Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) from a lecture hall where he is signing his latest book on symbols. Since the deceased was supposed to meet Langdon earlier in the day Langdon has fallen under suspicion for the crime.
As he attempts to decipher the message at the crime scene, Langdon encounters a police cryptologists named Sophie (Audrey Tautou), who informs Robert that he is in danger and soon the duo are fleeing from the police after deciphering some hidden clues at the crime scene.
Before either Robert or Audrey knows what is happening, they are being accused of multiple murders and on the run. As the clues begin to mount, the mystery takes an even stranger turn by the discovery of an artifact that when unlocked, should contain a map.
Seeking refuge and help, the duo arrive at the estate of Sir Leigh Teabing (Sir Ian Mc Kellen), who proceeds to tell Robert and Sophie that the clues they have uncovered are part of a cover-up that segments of the church will stop at nothing to keep secret. The nature of this secret is such that should it become public knowledge, then they very foundations of history, faith, and the church could be shaken to their core.
As the mystery becomes clearer, the group are attacked by a Monk named Silas (Paul Bettany), who has been doing the violent work of someone know as The Teacher in an effort to discover the location of artifacts and those attempting to uncover the mystery.
What follows is a frantic race that travels from Paris to London in an effort to get to the bottom of the mystery and unravel the true nature of the mystery and the secret that people are willing to kill for in order to protect.
While some may find the mystery, the players, and their motivations confusing, the film does grab hold and moves along at a solid pace. Ron Howard once again shows his skill by directing a film that is different from his other works, yet rich in its visuals and complexity. The scenic locales of the film enhance the mystery (For those who have not read the book), as they attempt to decipher the clues along with the characters.
The work from the cast was solid as Hanks gives a very good if restrained performance in his portrayal. Mc Kellen is a very nice blend of elegance and old world charm that lifts up every scene in which he is in.
While there are those who will lambaste the film for the message it provides, I chose to look at it as a film that does what movies should, entertain and make you think. The film is not saying its assertions are hard and cold facts, what it is doing is providing a vehicle for debate.
In college I was told that through debate comes knowledge and growth for a society. This was common in ancient Greek and Roman society where issues of the day would be debated in open forums. It seems that we as a society have become too insistent to take things at face value and have forgotten that the very nature of the human experience is to question, grow, and seek our own answers. As such the film is a great example of how Hollywood at times gets it right and provides solid entertainment that will stimulate as well as entertain.
The Fact of A Body
8.0
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A young law student, an unspeakable crime, and a past that refuses to stay buried. Before...
Biography memoir true crime
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated Third Time's a Crime (A Love Or Money Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia Thornton is back for a third round on a reality TV show – this time working with her boyfriend Scott to solve a cold case. The castle where this show is set is super spooky, but things get very scary when Georgia finds a dead body in the empty swimming pool. Even weirder, the victim drowned. What’s going on?
Between the reality TV show and the case, there is always something happening, although I did feel the other happenings overwhelmed the main mystery a bit at times. Still, the mystery builds to a logical conclusion. The author does a great job of helping us keep all the characters straight while growing Georgia, Scott, and some of the other series regulars. And the reality TV setting is just lots of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-third-times-crime-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Between the reality TV show and the case, there is always something happening, although I did feel the other happenings overwhelmed the main mystery a bit at times. Still, the mystery builds to a logical conclusion. The author does a great job of helping us keep all the characters straight while growing Georgia, Scott, and some of the other series regulars. And the reality TV setting is just lots of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-third-times-crime-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated Claws for Concern (Cat in the Stacks, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie’s grandson has been born, and he’s delighted to be spending time with this addition to the family. But he soon begins to get drawn into another mystery. First a true crime writer wants to write about some of Charlie’s past cases. Then there’s the mysterious man in the library asking questions.
This is definitely a slower book in the series as it took a while for us to figure out exactly where the mystery might be. There is one in the book, and I enjoyed it once Charlie started investigating. As always, the characters, both new and old, shine. I loved getting to spend more time with the usual gang, and most of them get at least an appearance. We also get to see some characters from the author’s other series, which was a lot of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-review-claws-for-concern-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is definitely a slower book in the series as it took a while for us to figure out exactly where the mystery might be. There is one in the book, and I enjoyed it once Charlie started investigating. As always, the characters, both new and old, shine. I loved getting to spend more time with the usual gang, and most of them get at least an appearance. We also get to see some characters from the author’s other series, which was a lot of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-review-claws-for-concern-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Crime and Catnip (Nick and Nora Mysteries, #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
International intrigue, false identities, and a very clever cat will keep you guessing right up to the last moment of this cozy mystery. While meeting with a museum director to discuss a catering job, Nora finds herself also tasked with finding the directors long lost niece and heir. When she isnt running her sandwich shop, Hot Bread, Nora also spends some of her time looking into the disappearance of her cat Nicks former owner, a detective who has been missing for some time. As cryptic messages come in, she eventually realizes that the two cases may be connected in some way. She just has to find the connection before the killer finds her!
Crime and Catnip is book #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but even without having read the earlier two installments, I had no trouble figuring out who was who or what was going on.
Crime and Catnip is book #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but even without having read the earlier two installments, I had no trouble figuring out who was who or what was going on.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Sunset Cove, #1) in Books
Aug 30, 2018
I would say this book is really a good read. It sure has the mystery element to it. We learn the mysteries throughout the book. It more of a thriller and mystery combination.
There are crime and detective going on as well in this story plot. Claire returns to the Inn at the Ocean Edge and things start to happen to her. Is she the real Claire Delmore?
There seems to be a cover-up story or is Harry Delmore hiding something from his daughter? Her grandmother also is acting strange when Claire starts wondering and questing about herself.
We also meet Luke Rocco and his sister. He thinks that Claire had disappeared around the same time his mother disappeared. Is there a connection between the two?
Colleen does tell a story that will make hungry for more. The plot is written well. The characters are developed and show their personalities. This book a cannot put down the book once you get into the action.
There are crime and detective going on as well in this story plot. Claire returns to the Inn at the Ocean Edge and things start to happen to her. Is she the real Claire Delmore?
There seems to be a cover-up story or is Harry Delmore hiding something from his daughter? Her grandmother also is acting strange when Claire starts wondering and questing about herself.
We also meet Luke Rocco and his sister. He thinks that Claire had disappeared around the same time his mother disappeared. Is there a connection between the two?
Colleen does tell a story that will make hungry for more. The plot is written well. The characters are developed and show their personalities. This book a cannot put down the book once you get into the action.
Escaping From Houdini
9.0
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Third book in the "Stalking Jack the Ripper" series. Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her...