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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Candy Corn Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #22) in Books

Feb 21, 2018  
CC
Candy Corn Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #22)
Leslie Meier | 2015
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the 23rd Lucy Stone mystery, but it works fine as a standalone story. You don't need to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one.

For the first 2/3 of this novel, I thought the whole mystery was the identity of the individual who was sabotaging the pumpkin festival. This didn't seem like much of a crime for a mystery novel, but the real thing comes along later in the story. Most of the action happens in the last quarter of the book, but I never felt like the story was dragging. The beginning has enough conflict and backstory to keep it moving along.

Lucy is a very down-to-earth sort of character, and she is easy to like and commiserate with. She has her hands full with her catapult-building husband, two daughters, and a grandson who is temporarily living in her home while his parents are out of the country, as well as her full time job as a reporter with the local paper. It's that job that gives her an excuse to get close to people who may have something to hide, and helps her track down a killer in the end.

***I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
  
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Darren (1599 KP) rated Taking Lives (2004) in Movies

Jul 25, 2019  
Taking Lives (2004)
Taking Lives (2004)
2004 | Action, Drama, Mystery
5
7.0 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Story: Taking Lives starts as we see a young man kill another young man to steal his identity, years later a body is discovered in Canada which leads to the local French-Canadian police to call in FBI profiler Illeana (Jolie) to help with the new mystery body. Things take a turn when a man Costa (Hawke) believes he interrupted the next attempted murder before the killer is finished dealing with the body.

When the police learn this killer has been killing and stealing identities the case takes a turn and now they must figure out who the latest victim is and who he has become.

 

Thoughts on Taking Lives

 

Characters – Illeane Scott is an FBI Profiler bought in to help with the case of a killer that is stealing identities of the people he is murdering, she gets the profile correct and wants to had home after starting to become interested in one of the key witnesses. Costa is a key witness who interrupts one of the murders before the killer can complete his plan, he gives the information to track the killer. Hart is a man that soon enters Costa’s life after the incident making him the prime suspect as the killer.

Performances – Angelina Jolie is solid enough in this leading role which disappoints because we know she can be a fantastic cop figure. Ethan Hawke struggles with his role too which is only really filled with disappointment as he never convinces in his witness role. Kiefer Sutherland disappoints because we know how good he can be and want to see him more often in a film.

Story – The story is a FBI agent needing to help track down a serial killer who steals identity, yeah these are usually entertaining to watch but this just doesn’t reach the levels of mystery it needs, this might be because this is a repeat viewing and I know the ending, but there are never really any hints or suspects to work with through the film. the film lacks the true tension needed in a film that is filled with twisted crimes going on.

Crime/Mystery – The crime is interesting for a killer to be acting the way they do, the weakest part is the mystery as we just don’t meet enough potential suspects.

Settings – The film is sent in a big city which plays into the idea that someone could steal and identity and kill someone without people noticing someone going missing.

Special Effects – The effects are good because we get to see practical effects when it comes to the kills and aftermath from them.


Scene of the Movie – The lift opening.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not enough suspects.

Final Thoughts – This is a crime thriller that lacks the punch to make it stand out from the crowded market, we always need a large group of suspects, but this didn’t give us enough, while it did create a great killer.

 

Overall: Lacklustre crime thriller