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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Murder on Wall Street in Books

Feb 18, 2023 (Updated Feb 18, 2023)  
Murder on Wall Street
Murder on Wall Street
Victoria Thompson | 2021 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
High Finance Murder
Frank Malloy might not normally take on the case of investment banker Hayden Norcross, but when a friend hires him to look into it, Frank can hardly refuse. Hayden was shot in his office after hours, and the list of possible suspects in long. Enlisting the help of his wife, Sarah, and her parents, Frank must navigate society and the world of finance to figure out what happened. Working together, can they do it?

This book is a perfect example of why I love this series so much. All the regulars and supporting players are here and in top form. There were a couple of moments that were absolutely special for those who really know the characters. The plot was complex and kept me guessing right up to the page turning and fun ending. While the book does take on some serious subjects, it balances those with humor, mainly the interactions of the regular characters. The time period also comes to wonderful life. If you are a fan who hasn’t read this book yet, you will be in for a treat.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Lie Down with Dogs in Books

Jul 17, 2026 (Updated Jul 17, 2026)  
Lie Down with Dogs
Lie Down with Dogs
Liz Milliron | 2022 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Changes Comes Racing at Jim and Sally
Jim Duncan has finally made the switch from patrol to investigations, and he and his new partner have landed a case on his first day. The dead body has been in the house for a few days before it is found, but they also find a greyhound in a cage in the background. Meanwhile, Sally Castle is making the leap from the public defender’s office to a private law firm. Her first client is an accountant accused of taking money from a greyhound nonprofit. As Sally and Jim investigate, will they find that their cases connect?

There are plenty of changes afoot in this book, and I enjoyed how that changes provided some added storylines. All of this let us get to know Jim and Sally even better without losing the supporting players I’ve come to love. The story is strong and kept me engaged all the way to the logical climax. In fact, I wasn’t complaining when I got to read the second half in one day. I even learned a bit more about greyhounds. If you aren’t yet reading Liz’s books, you are really missing out.
  
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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Little (2019) in Movies

Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)  
Little (2019)
Little (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Fantasy
an we just acknowledge the fact that Marsai Martin actually pitched this movie? She also has a credit as executive producer. She's 14... 14!!

Yet another film where we know what's going to happen, in this instance it's not a problem.

Jordan has made her way up to being the boss and she's made it her mission not to be pushed around anymore. But that attitude means that she's universally despised in the office. When she encounters a young girl in the office she lays out some hard truths for her about life, and when Stevie takes out her magic wand and wishes Jordan was little again I don't think anyone could see what was coming. (Apart from us movie folk.)

We follow little Jordan and her assistant, April, as they try to navigate life, school, the office and men. The ride is a bit crazy.

Marsai Martin steals the show, she has a knack for the adult characteristics and takes to the comedy so naturally.

Issa Rae was a bit of an unknown entity to me despite having seen her in The Hate U Give. Her character of April seemed to be just the right level of down to earth and crazy to be able to deal with such a bizarre situation and overall I thought she came across well in all aspects apart from one which I'll come to in a bit.

Regina Hall is a favourite of mine and I could see why she was right for this part and she nailed pre-little Jordan. Post-little Jordan though was not to my liking. She seemed to be very badly written. Somehow her epiphany moment didn't stick, all it seemed to do was make her awkward in a whole new way.

Let's talk about the rom in this rom-com... why did they put it in? Firstly we have Justin Hartley, I'll give you a moment to remember Ty Swindel... you'd be forgiven for thinking he had a big part in this film, the trailer makes it look like he's a love interest for April but in the end his role was nothing more than trying to "liven up" the portions of the film that were based at the school.

Next there's the lovely Preston, April's co-worker, who is just the sweetest thing. You know that they're meant to be together but the script has other ideas. It drags out and at no point do they properly develop that part of the story. We get to the end and it's there suddenly, I seriously wondered if there was a scene cut out in editing that made it connect or if they'd just forgotten about it. Either way it ruined an otherwise good run for April in the film.

Lastly there's Trevor, Jordan's love interest... he is dumb as a box of rocks but they've given him a sweet side. He assumes that Jordan has been hiding the fact that she's got a daughter and that's why she's guarded, cue some sweet, if weird, overcompensation... but here's the thing, once Jordan gets big again why is he still there? How does she explain away the whole child thing? We're not going to talk about it? Oh, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

Little doesn't hit all the comedy spots, and there are certainly scenes that don't seem to have any relevance (karaoke at the restaurant I'm looking at you) but it's still funny. I didn't find it as funny as the woman across the aisle from me who on several occasions let out a very loud and extended "HAAAAAAA!", but it was entertaining.

What you should do

Watch this one when it streams, it's mindless fun and you really don't have to think a lot. I'm sure it'd be good for a girls night in.

Movie thing you wish you could take home

Homegirl seems like a great idea, especially if she knows when I need a musical pick me up.
  
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