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Free Guy (2021)
Free Guy (2021)
2021 | Action, Adventure, Comedy
I play video games fairly regularly, so it's no surprise that I absolutely love the concept of Free Guy. A whole ass movie exploring the daily ins and outs of an NPC existing in a Grand Theft Auto style world is something that interests me, and it's feels quite unique. Unfortunately, that uniqueness is bogged down by a whole lot of over familiar execution. The time loop style plot trope, the over the top douchebag villain (even when it's Taika Waititi), events in the movie being presented through familiar real life news stations or YouTube, the inclusion of multiple popular IPs thrown in for a cheap thrill - for a movie that carries a fresh premise, it manages to feel wholly unoriginal.
These negatives would usually be enough to complely write off the finished product, but luckily, Free Guy is entertaining as hell. It has some decent action set pieces, never tries to be something it's not, and even managed to wrangle a few laughs out of me. Most importantly, it's fun.

Free Guy has plenty of flaws, but it's shortcomings are just about balanced out by the good, and it will surely appeal to the majority of people who see it. A decent enough switch-off watch.
  
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Merissa (13329 KP) rated Darksider (Reveler #3) in Books

May 8, 2021 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Darksider (Reveler #3)
Darksider (Reveler #3)
Erin Kellison | 2014 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

This story focuses on Harlen and Sera (short for Serafina). Sera has been having trouble sleeping for over a year as a stalker has been entering her dreams. She has been able to deal with it for so long but now exhaustion is catching up with her and she also sees her stalker in 'real' life. So she decides to call in Harlen, a man from her past who she used to travel in the Darkside with. Harlen still has feelings for her and is not impressed with her stubbornness in not contacting him straight away but puts that aside as he tries to help her.

Rook and Jordan, Coll and Maisie all make an appearance here as the overall story arc continues. Erin Kellison has managed to give Harlen and Sera a story as well as continuing with the others.

This is part of a series and as such, you will need to read the other books in order to get the benefit from them. However, this series is just getting better and better so I can definitely recommend you give them a try.

August 11, 2016
  
Murder in Midtown
Murder in Midtown
Liz Freeland | 2019 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Louise Faces a Hot Second Case
Louise Faulk is following her desire to become a New York City police officer by taking the entrance exam, something that is rare for women in 1913. Taking it makes her late for work, which is why she is the last to arrive and find the building completely burned down. What’s more shocking is when she learns that one of her bosses was inside. Guy rarely started before noon, if that early, so what was he doing there already? With time on her hands, Louise digs into what happened. Can she learn the truth?

I’m sad I waited so long to get to this book because it was a delight. There is plenty here to keep us guessing, with some great twists along the way. The suspects in this book were supporting players in the first, so it was fun to see them more developed. The series regulars are all back and it was great to spend more time with. In fact, one of them brings a real person into the book, which I enjoyed. The world of 1913 came to life as I was reading. I was kept guessing until I reached the end. I need to move on to book three sooner rather than later.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2426 KP) rated The Counterfeit Wife in Books

Nov 20, 2022 (Updated Nov 20, 2022)  
The Counterfeit Wife
The Counterfeit Wife
Mally Becker | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nothing About My Enjoyment of This Book was Counterfeit
Becca Parcell and Daniel Alloway have been sent by General Washington to Philadelphia. Someone is flooding the colonies with counterfeit money, and they believe this is where it is originating. It is critical to shut down the supply in order to keep the economy from crashing, thereby destroying the war effort. Just as the two of them get a suspect, a murder takes place, and someone surprisingly close to Becca becomes the prime suspect. Can they figure out what is going on?

I was thrilled with this second trip back to 1780. Once again, I felt like I was in that era while I was reading, including what life was like during that time. The mystery was strong with several twists that kept me reading. There is a strong romance between Becca and Daniel, and it strays a little beyond the cozies I typically read, but not too far. Both of them are strong lead characters, and the story is told from both of their points of view. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast, both real and fictional people, are just as strong. The ending of the book is extremely satisfying, but I’m ready to jump into the next in the series.
  
Haunted House Murder
Haunted House Murder
Leslie Meier | 2022 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weak Novella
Halloween is coming, but everyone in Tinker’s Cove is talking about the old, abandoned house in town. While it looks run down from the outside, someone has bought it and moved in during the middle of the night. However, they aren’t very friendly, rebuffing Lucy’s and other’s attempts to welcome them to town. Then the rumors start flying and strange events start happening. What is really going on in this house?

I know that the Lucy Stone series is extremely popular, but I struggle to get through the stories I have read. Part of it is Lucy’s family. I haven’t spent enough time with them to look past their faults and love them, I guess. And, let’s face it, that is often what we have to do with people in real life. In this case, I found the story to be better suited to a short story than even a novella. It’s not bad, but it felt drawn out and a little forced.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time consider this Halloween trip to Maine.