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Merissa (11800 KP) rated In the Shadow of the Bull (An Ancient Crete Mystery #1) in Books
Jul 17, 2023
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BULL is the first book in the Ancient Crete Mystery series and we start with a wedding and a murder. Martis, the fifteen-year-old sister of the victim is charged by her dead sister's ghost to find out who killed her. If she fails, she will be haunted for nine generations!
Martis is split between her duty to her sister and her need to train for bull-dancing. She is also fifteen, so her attention span isn't that good yet, and she flits from person to person, convinced each one is the killer.
I preferred the historical aspect of this story more than the mystery. For me, it wasn't so much a mystery as a when will Martis figure it out? I did like the ending, with how it tied it up, but I wanted to know more about Bais and Nuia. And what about the barbarians? Would they receive an apology or just be given permission to leave? Maybe that will happen in future books. Although it was explained to a degree, it left me wanting more.
I have no hesitation in recommending an enjoyable book with great attention to detail.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 22, 2023
Martis is split between her duty to her sister and her need to train for bull-dancing. She is also fifteen, so her attention span isn't that good yet, and she flits from person to person, convinced each one is the killer.
I preferred the historical aspect of this story more than the mystery. For me, it wasn't so much a mystery as a when will Martis figure it out? I did like the ending, with how it tied it up, but I wanted to know more about Bais and Nuia. And what about the barbarians? Would they receive an apology or just be given permission to leave? Maybe that will happen in future books. Although it was explained to a degree, it left me wanting more.
I have no hesitation in recommending an enjoyable book with great attention to detail.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 22, 2023
Natalie Portman recommended Cloud Atlas in Books (curated)
Charlotte (184 KP) rated The Encanto (LA FOG #1) in Books
Oct 26, 2021
Brilliantly written and in-depth.
The Encanto is full of well written characters and lots of twists and turns. Not forgetting details that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Descriptively rich you can easily get lost for hours in this world of mystery and intrigue......then 'wake' up in the real world. Make sure to have a cuppa to hand and some cheeky biscuits, a snuggly blanket and get comfortable.
Ideal for anyone with a love of historical type legends with artefacts and adventure. You'll be kept on your toes and there's the added bonus of this being the first in the series!!
The Encanto is full of well written characters and lots of twists and turns. Not forgetting details that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Descriptively rich you can easily get lost for hours in this world of mystery and intrigue......then 'wake' up in the real world. Make sure to have a cuppa to hand and some cheeky biscuits, a snuggly blanket and get comfortable.
Ideal for anyone with a love of historical type legends with artefacts and adventure. You'll be kept on your toes and there's the added bonus of this being the first in the series!!
ArecRain (8 KP) rated When Passion Rules in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I had been wanting to read this novel since I first saw the cover before it was even released. I don't understand why the cover is so delectable, but it made this novel a must read for me.
I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.
However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.
I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.
However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Murder Your Darlings (Algonquin Round Table #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When the members of the Algonquin Round Table gathered for lunch, the last thing they expected to find was the dead body of a theater critic under their table. From Round Table, to speakeasy, and all over the city of New York, Dorothy Parker has to chase down a murderer before the police try to pin the crime on her or one of her gang. She has plenty of help from her friends Peter Benchley and a visiting Billy Faulkner.
The mystery was good, and the characters were larger than life, but there were so many characters that it did get a little confusing at first. Once I figured out who everyone was though, I really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between Dorothy and Peter they reminded me a bit of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a little humor with your mystery.
Several members of the historical Algonquin Round Table are featured or make at least a brief appearance in this story. To read more about them, visit the <a href="http://www.algonquinhotel.com/story/round-table/">Algonquin Hotel's Website.</a>
The mystery was good, and the characters were larger than life, but there were so many characters that it did get a little confusing at first. Once I figured out who everyone was though, I really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between Dorothy and Peter they reminded me a bit of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a little humor with your mystery.
Several members of the historical Algonquin Round Table are featured or make at least a brief appearance in this story. To read more about them, visit the <a href="http://www.algonquinhotel.com/story/round-table/">Algonquin Hotel's Website.</a>
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Danger on the Atlantic in Books
Apr 1, 2022 (Updated Apr 1, 2022)
Cruising with a Spy
Jane Wunderly is making her way back to America, but she isn’t crossing the Atlantic alone. She’s crossing with Redvers, and she’s been asked by his employers to help him track down a German spy on board. Then, Jane meets Vanessa, a socialite who claims that her new husband has vanished from the ship. Can she solve the two cases? Or will one distract from the other?
There is plenty going on here, which is why it surprises me to find the pacing is slightly off. It was a bit slow at the beginning and it felt rushed at the end. Overall, there was still a good mystery here with plenty of twists. I didn’t have everything worked out by the end. I loved the setting, and felt like I was traveling in style with Jane. Well, style for 1926. Jane and Redvers are the only returning characters, but I didn’t mind since I loved watching them interacting. The new characters are strong and helped pull me into the book. If you are looking for a charming historical mystery, this series is for you.
There is plenty going on here, which is why it surprises me to find the pacing is slightly off. It was a bit slow at the beginning and it felt rushed at the end. Overall, there was still a good mystery here with plenty of twists. I didn’t have everything worked out by the end. I loved the setting, and felt like I was traveling in style with Jane. Well, style for 1926. Jane and Redvers are the only returning characters, but I didn’t mind since I loved watching them interacting. The new characters are strong and helped pull me into the book. If you are looking for a charming historical mystery, this series is for you.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated A Watery Grave (Wiki Coffin Mysteries #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The first in a historical mystery series set during the US Exploration Expedition of the early 1800's. Wiki Coffin, half New Zealander half American, is hired to be a linguist. But the night before they sail, Wiki finds a boat with a dead body inside. The woman was murdered, and there is reason to believe that the killer is with the expedition, especially when another body turns up. The historic details slowed the book down at times, but on the whole I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the trip back in time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-watery-grave-by-joan-druett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-watery-grave-by-joan-druett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
David McK (3233 KP) rated The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) in Movies
Oct 16, 2020
Late 90's drama, apparently based on the final of Alexandre Dumas's D'Artagnan Romances "Ten Years Later", and purporting to answer the mystery behind who was the real Man in the Iron Mask.
Yes, there was such a figure.
No, there's no historical evidence that he wore the mask 24/7, or that he was locked up in squalor.
This has an impressive cast list, including the likes of John Malkovich (Athos), Gérard Depardieu (Porthos), Jeremy Irons (Aramis), Gabriel Byrne (D'Artagnan) and a still-very-young Leonardo Di Caprio (Philippe/Louis) - who was then very much still in his 'pretty boy' phase - but the film just never really seems to 'take off' at all.
Yes, there was such a figure.
No, there's no historical evidence that he wore the mask 24/7, or that he was locked up in squalor.
This has an impressive cast list, including the likes of John Malkovich (Athos), Gérard Depardieu (Porthos), Jeremy Irons (Aramis), Gabriel Byrne (D'Artagnan) and a still-very-young Leonardo Di Caprio (Philippe/Louis) - who was then very much still in his 'pretty boy' phase - but the film just never really seems to 'take off' at all.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated A Novel Disguise in Books
May 18, 2023
How Long Can Tiffany Disguise the Danger She’s In?
When her half-brother dies unexpectedly, Tiffany Woodall quietly buries him and then assumes his identity. There is nothing else for her to do in 1780’s England, especially if she wants to stay in the cottage the two of them lived in. But she quickly finds that being two people is much more challenging than she expected, especially when she starts falling in love with the local book seller and has to dodge the marriage proposal of the local rector. But it’s taking over her half-brother’s job of the local duke’s librarian that puts her in the most danger when one of the servants dies. Might it tie to her brother’s death?
Obviously, there is a lot going on here, and it does mean the mystery takes a little time to become an important part of the story. But I didn’t care. I was quickly caught up in Tiffany’s life and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to her next. And make no mistake about it, the mystery here is strong. I loved how things were all pulled together for the climax. The characters are also wonderful, with plenty of them to love or love to hate. I always felt like I was transported back in time as I was reading. My only complaint was that we learned a little more than I felt necessary about the after effects of the poison, but that was a minor issue. I’m already looking forward to the sequel. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, don’t miss this one.
Obviously, there is a lot going on here, and it does mean the mystery takes a little time to become an important part of the story. But I didn’t care. I was quickly caught up in Tiffany’s life and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to her next. And make no mistake about it, the mystery here is strong. I loved how things were all pulled together for the climax. The characters are also wonderful, with plenty of them to love or love to hate. I always felt like I was transported back in time as I was reading. My only complaint was that we learned a little more than I felt necessary about the after effects of the poison, but that was a minor issue. I’m already looking forward to the sequel. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, don’t miss this one.