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City of Shadows
City of Shadows
Victoria Thompson | 2021 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Target: A Fake Medium
Newlywed Elizabeth Miles Bates is enjoying her new life in 1919 New York City, but she has to call upon her conman roots when her friend Anna Vanderslice comes to her for help. Anna’s mother has started going to a medium, spending money they don’t have in their budget to do so. Elizabeth quickly confirms that the medium is a fake, and her husband, Gideon, figures out that there is more to the plot than Elizabeth originally thought. Can she figure out how to stop the medium?

I enjoy this series since the caper storylines are a break from the mysteries I normally read. This one was a bit more straightforward than some of the others, but I still enjoyed every page, and there were a few branches to the plot I didn’t expect. Another draw to this series is the characters. They are their usual charming selves here. The multiple viewpoints add to the fun since some of the reactions to the events are funny. Yet, the characters have some real depth to them and I love seeing how they are growing as the series progresses. If you are looking for a little something different in a crime novel, this is one you’ll enjoy.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Three Shots to the Wind in Books

Apr 1, 2022 (Updated Apr 1, 2022)  
Three Shots to the Wind
Three Shots to the Wind
Sherry Harris | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cozy Trope Twisted by Murder
Chloe thinks she is settling into her new life in Emerald Cove, Florida, when she starts to receive a series of mysterious gifts. While she knows they aren’t from her new boyfriend, she isn’t prepared to learn they are from her ex-fiance, Perry Franklin, who is in town for an accounting conference. Unfortunately, she learns this when she stumbles on his dead body at a crime scene. When they were together, Chloe thought Perry was boring. Had she misjudged him? What could have led to his murder?

I love how this book put a twist on the familiar cozy trope of the main character’s ex coming to town to try to win her back. Of course, Perry also wasn’t who Chloe thought he was, and exploring that gives us suspects and motives. I enjoyed following Chloe as she solved the case, and the climax wraps things up nicely. This story also gives Chloe a real chance for growth, which I enjoyed seeing. Additionally, a sub-plot gives some of the supporting characters a chance to grow as well. Sherry Harris is one of my favorite authors, and this book once again shows why.
  
Stanley's Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2)
Stanley's Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2)
Gabbi Grey | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stanley does redeem himself!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.

I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!

It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.

This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.

The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.

I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!

4 solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Lucky Ones (Unpredictable #2)
The Lucky Ones (Unpredictable #2)
Felice Stevens | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE LUCKY ONES is the second standalone novel in the Unpredictable series. You don't have to have read book one to enjoy this one, although I personally enjoyed seeing Weston and Brenner from Not That Guy again.

Keston has a chip on his shoulder that he wears loud and proud. He did have a rough time of it, but still. Bailey is the opposite - he also had a rough time of it, but hides behind a cheerful mask. Both of them still have problems and issues they're dealing with. And both of them either don't communicate or miscommunicate!

As with all of this author's books, there is plenty of emotion and real-life problems to be overcome. Nothing is ever easy, and I love that about these books. It gives me enough 'fairytale' while still being grounded. There is steam aplenty between these two, but also a deeper, emotional connection, if only they would trust enough to allow it.

A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.

** 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!
Nov 10, 2025
  
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David McK (3676 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies

May 26, 2020 (Updated Dec 21, 2025)  
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993)
1993 | Adventure, Sci-Fi
I've just realised (at the time of writing) that this movie is over 30 years old.

Man, I feel old.

Taking some liberties with Michael Crichtons's source material (Hammond dies and was not a very nice man; Grant likes kids), this is a disaster movie with stunning effects (that still hold up pretty well today) for the time, even if our understanding of the 'headline' dinosaurs has changed somewhat in the intervening years since its release (Raptors were the size of chickens, had feathers, and were NOT pack hunters. or so we now think).

Set on a tropical island hit by a storm just as the owner is given a pre-release tour to special invited guests to show off his scientific breakthrough - cloned Dinosaurs, because that's ALWAYS a good idea … - a series of events leads to the power going down, and the 'exhibits' breaking free to wreak havoc amongst those guests. And, lets not kid around the bush here, despite having the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neil, Laura Dern and - uh- Jeff Goldblum ("life, uh, finds a way") amongst the cast - the real stars are those dinosaurs.

All the sequels (4 so far, with a 5th ion the way in Jurassic World: Dominion) pale in comparison.