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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Revenge of the Spellmans (The Spellmans, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Izzy Spellman is enjoying her time off from the family PI business. But then she gets a client who thinks his wife is cheating on him. That's not the case, but the wife does have some secret. Meanwhile, little sister Rae is accused to cheating on her PSAT's and Izzy moves into her brother's basement. Yep, it's more wacky fun with my favorite dysfunctional family. I did feel things were feeling a little too familiar at this point, but it was still lots of fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-spellmans-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-spellmans-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Law (Dresden Files #17.4) in Books
Dec 27, 2023
For me, Jim Butcher is most synonymous with The Dresden Files.
The last full-length novel of which was Battle Ground, from 2020, and in which the supernatural world spills over into Chicago (and in which Harry suffers a personal loss)
As this starts, Harry is still smarting from that loss, but - before long - is hired, ostensibly as a PI, in the case where a school teacher is being blackmailed by a former convict over her former life as a hooker.
Of course, being a Dresden Files case, things are more than they seem ...
In short, this will tide the reader over until the next full length novel!
The last full-length novel of which was Battle Ground, from 2020, and in which the supernatural world spills over into Chicago (and in which Harry suffers a personal loss)
As this starts, Harry is still smarting from that loss, but - before long - is hired, ostensibly as a PI, in the case where a school teacher is being blackmailed by a former convict over her former life as a hooker.
Of course, being a Dresden Files case, things are more than they seem ...
In short, this will tide the reader over until the next full length novel!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Swift Edge in Books
Nov 22, 2020
This Book Swiftly Had me on the Edge of My Seat
PI Charlette “Charlie” Swift has a new client. Dara Peterson needs Charlie to track down her ice skating partner, Dmitri Fane, before the Olympic trials start in just a few days. With her new business partner, Gigi Goldman, semi-helping, Charlie begins investigating. She quickly gets attacked and finds someone left for dead on the ice. What has happened to Dmitri?
I read the first book in this series years ago, and I kept meaning to go back and read this one. I’m so glad I did. This book is as much fun as I remember the first being. The plot is fast paced with plenty of action and a page turning climax. What Gigi doesn’t know about the PI business she makes up for in enthusiasm, and her antics add some great laughs. Yet none of the characters come across as caricatures; there is a depth to all of them. Mostly, we only see glimpses of that depth, but it is enough to make them seem real. The book skirts around the edges of the cozy genre with just a touch more violence and language than a traditional cozy, but as long as you expect that, you’ll be fine. I really did enjoy this book, and it won’t be as long before I go back to visit these characters again.
I read the first book in this series years ago, and I kept meaning to go back and read this one. I’m so glad I did. This book is as much fun as I remember the first being. The plot is fast paced with plenty of action and a page turning climax. What Gigi doesn’t know about the PI business she makes up for in enthusiasm, and her antics add some great laughs. Yet none of the characters come across as caricatures; there is a depth to all of them. Mostly, we only see glimpses of that depth, but it is enough to make them seem real. The book skirts around the edges of the cozy genre with just a touch more violence and language than a traditional cozy, but as long as you expect that, you’ll be fine. I really did enjoy this book, and it won’t be as long before I go back to visit these characters again.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Stardust Trail in Books
Aug 23, 2022 (Updated Aug 23, 2022)
Searching for a Missing Writer
PI Nate Ross is a rarity in 1938 Hollywood – someone who lives in the LA area but isn’t that interested in the movie industry. Still, he’s willing to take on a case for one of the smaller studios. The writer of a picture they are hoping will propel them into a more respected part of the market has gone missing, and they need him for rewrites. As Nate begins investigating, he learns of other issues the film has been having, and soon he’s looking into the sabotage, too. Are the two things connected?
I bought this book when the author gave a talk at my local library a few months back. I’m glad I did. As always, I enjoyed the Hollywood setting, but I especially enjoyed the scenes that took Nate to the area I live. Granted, it has changed a lot since the time when the book was set. The story itself is strong with plenty of action to keep us engaged. I had a few things figured out, but I missed some other clues that Nate used to solve things. The characters are engaging, as well. This has the feel of a classic PI novel, so it has a bit more content than I would typically read. It also means that Nate’s sense of humor made me laugh as I was reading. Fortunately, I already have the sequel since I’m looking forward to visiting Nate again soon.
I bought this book when the author gave a talk at my local library a few months back. I’m glad I did. As always, I enjoyed the Hollywood setting, but I especially enjoyed the scenes that took Nate to the area I live. Granted, it has changed a lot since the time when the book was set. The story itself is strong with plenty of action to keep us engaged. I had a few things figured out, but I missed some other clues that Nate used to solve things. The characters are engaging, as well. This has the feel of a classic PI novel, so it has a bit more content than I would typically read. It also means that Nate’s sense of humor made me laugh as I was reading. Fortunately, I already have the sequel since I’m looking forward to visiting Nate again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Formula for Murder (A Maternal Instincts Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
New mom and new PI Kate Connelly is in a hit and run, and witnesses identify the car as belonging to someone from the French consulate. The consulate denies it, but it leads to a case for Kate when she sees a reporter leaving and the reporter turns up dead two days later. Was she working on a story on the French consulate that lead to her death? I love the characters, and the story was interesting. It did bog down a little in the middle, but it picked up again for a fun finish.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-formula-for-murder-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-formula-for-murder-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Mr. Monk Is Open For Business (Mr. Monk, #18) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Before Natalie and Monk can have an official grand opening for their new PI business, they wind up with two cases. First, there's the murder suspect who won't explain why he was moving a body in a vacant field. Then there's the mass shooter who vanished despite being surrounded by police.
Both of these mysteries are great and kept me engaged the entire way through. The characters and their growth are wonder as well, and the humor had me grinning when I wasn't outright laughing. Fans of the series will love it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-mr-monk-is-open-for.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Both of these mysteries are great and kept me engaged the entire way through. The characters and their growth are wonder as well, and the humor had me grinning when I wasn't outright laughing. Fans of the series will love it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-mr-monk-is-open-for.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Ditched 4 Murder in Books
Sep 8, 2020
Weddings and Killers
Sophie “Phee” Kimball is settling into her new life in Arizona, but it’s about to get crazier thanks to her aunt’s recent engagement. Phee keeps getting asked to help plan the wedding, and finds herself juggling her job as the accountant for a PI, the wedding, and her mother’s phone calls of outrage about the wedding. Phee’s PI boss is working on a murder that took place near her mother’s house, and as Phee works on the wedding, she begins to wonder if there is a connection. Can she solve the case?
I loved the first book in the series, so I was looking forward to revisiting the characters. Sadly, this one didn’t live up to the first. The mystery was overshadowed by the wedding plans. I expected they would come together at some point, but that point came a little late in the book for my tastes. Meanwhile, the climax to the mystery was a little weak as well. Some of the characters walked a fine line between funny and annoying in the first book, and I found them more annoying than funny here. That’s not all the characters. Phee herself is still a strong and sympathetic main character, and I really like several of the supporting characters. And that isn’t to say I didn’t laugh over the course of the book either. I especially laughed at the climax. Considering how much I enjoyed the first book, I’m definitely going to give Phee another visit.
I loved the first book in the series, so I was looking forward to revisiting the characters. Sadly, this one didn’t live up to the first. The mystery was overshadowed by the wedding plans. I expected they would come together at some point, but that point came a little late in the book for my tastes. Meanwhile, the climax to the mystery was a little weak as well. Some of the characters walked a fine line between funny and annoying in the first book, and I found them more annoying than funny here. That’s not all the characters. Phee herself is still a strong and sympathetic main character, and I really like several of the supporting characters. And that isn’t to say I didn’t laugh over the course of the book either. I especially laughed at the climax. Considering how much I enjoyed the first book, I’m definitely going to give Phee another visit.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Life of Pi in Books
May 16, 2018
This book was full of unexpected surprises. Although, the first 36 chapters more so tell the story of the young boys life than his journey at sea, it is filled with such strong emotions that you feel as though you're there with him. His struggles through adolescence make you familiar with Pi in a way we need to really understand why he does all the things he does. When he is overcome by hopelessness, you feel it, when he is overjoyed, you feel that, as well. This is a truly well written work of art with quite an ending. The animal lover in us all cringes at some of the scenes as we play them in our minds but it is understandable and necessary. I would definitely recommend this.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Free Fall (Elvis Cole, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jennifer is sure that her boyfriend Mark is in trouble, so she hires PI Elvis Cole to find out what is going on. Elvis thinks he’s found an easy solution, but then he digs a little deeper and begins to uncover something much more serious. Can Elvis help Mark and Jennifer, or is he in over his head?
The story quickly built into another thrilling read, and I was glued to the page waiting to see how it would all turn out. The characters are good, although I still find Cole’s partner Pike to be unbelievable. Despite that flaw, I enjoyed this departure from my normal cozy mystery diet.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-free-fall-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The story quickly built into another thrilling read, and I was glued to the page waiting to see how it would all turn out. The characters are good, although I still find Cole’s partner Pike to be unbelievable. Despite that flaw, I enjoyed this departure from my normal cozy mystery diet.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-free-fall-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Before The Devil Knows You're Dead in Books
Oct 1, 2018
WOW…. This book is way above a 5star read!
I have to say I really enjoyed Owen Mullen’s first two books featuring PI Charlie Cameron – Games People Play and Old Friends and New Enemies – and have been recommending them both to everyone I speak to. This third novel, Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is even better than the first two!
It may be that once we reach book three we know the characters who feature in all three books. I would love to meet Charlie Cameron!
I felt this book moved at a faster pace than the last which made it impossible to put down. I switched between the paperback and the kindle versions depending on where and when I was reading.
It was gripping and I look forward to Owen Mullen’s next release!
I have to say I really enjoyed Owen Mullen’s first two books featuring PI Charlie Cameron – Games People Play and Old Friends and New Enemies – and have been recommending them both to everyone I speak to. This third novel, Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is even better than the first two!
It may be that once we reach book three we know the characters who feature in all three books. I would love to meet Charlie Cameron!
I felt this book moved at a faster pace than the last which made it impossible to put down. I switched between the paperback and the kindle versions depending on where and when I was reading.
It was gripping and I look forward to Owen Mullen’s next release!