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Nowhere Boy (2010)
Nowhere Boy (2010)
2010 | Drama
Well acted
This is a film that has been fairly underrated and almost forgotten which I think is a shame, as it's actually a good film driven by some stellar performances.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson excels in this as John and he's what makes this film so good to watch. I always forget that he's actually English until I see him in a film with an English accent, but even still his scouse accent in this is pretty impressive. And the rest of the cast too from Anne-Marie Duff to Kristin Scott-Thomas (there's a load of double barrelled names in this!) all perform admirably in this. The story in this is probably what lets it down. Yes it's interesting to see what happened in John Lennon's early life and how The Beatles first came to be, but there are some aspects with his mum and aunt that get a little too soap opera-esque at times. Personally I wouldve preferred a little more concentration on the music side. And i know the era this film is set in, but I got sick of every scene featuring cigarettes and someone smoking. It was just so noticeable all the time that it became irritating.

Overall this is a pretty decent film about John Lennon's early life made better by some brilliant performances.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated The Unkept Woman in Books

Mar 2, 2026 (Updated Mar 2, 2026)  
The Unkept Woman
The Unkept Woman
Allison Montclair | 2021 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Body in Sparks’s Apartment
When Iris Sparks returns to her apartment one night after work, she is shocked to find an unexpected visitor. It’s someone she is less than happy to see, especially since she thought the person was out of her life for good. After quickly going to the Bainbridge’s for the night, she thinks things are behind her again – until a body is discovered in her living room. Who was the victim? And who committed the murder?
 
If you have yet to meet the ladies of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, I don’t suggest you start here. Despite the prologue, which has a scene two days before the story really starts (yep, still hate that literary technique), the book takes some time getting into the mystery. Instead, we get some updates in the ongoing soap opera infused storylines. But, as a fan, I was there for it. Things only pick up once the murder happens. Despite my focus on Iris in the teaser, Gwen gets plenty of her own moments to shine, and the plot couldn’t have been solved without both of them. And they continue to be two compelling leads I can’t wait to spend more time with soon. Fans looking to catch up will be as hooked on this entry as I was.
  
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
Joanne Fluke | 2023 | Mystery
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Three Strikes, You’re Dead
Summer has come to Lake Eden, and Hannah is excited to be hosting the snack booth at the baseball tournament in Lake Eden, debuting her new pink lemonade themed desserts. One of the celebrity participants is Bernie “No-No” Fulton, a local who pitch part of a season for the Twins. But when Hannah’s mother finds No-No’s body under the bleachers, Hannah has a new mystery to solve. After all, Delores had a reason to dislike the man, so Hannah’s mother is a suspect. Can Hannah figure out who wanted him out permanently?

Once again, fans of the series will know what to expect. The mystery is decent, but the story is padded with lots of talk about food, even for a culinary cozy. And the sub-plot involving Mike slows down the beginning of the story. I also had a hard time buying how the police deal with Hannah’s sleuthing in this book. And yet, I still do like checking in on the characters, and the recipes sound delicious as always. The cliffhanger makes it obvious we are back in the soap opera territory I had hoped we’d left behind. If you are curious about the series, start with the early books to see why so many people read it.