The Possible World
9.5
Rate It
Book
An astonishing, deeply moving novel about the converging lives of a young boy who witnesses a brutal...
Historical Fiction
Aces of the Pacific
6.8
Rate It
Video Game Watch
Aces of the Pacific features various warplanes of the era, such as the F6F Hellcat and the Zero. The...
The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
Book
He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father's throne; he taxed his people more than...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Late Show (Renée Ballard, #1) in Books
Sep 7, 2024
I remember when this book came out how far behind I was on the author’s books and thinking I’d never get to it. And yet here I am. I found that Ballard shared quite a bit with the author’s Harry Bosch character. I’m not saying I didn’t like her, but I felt like she was a bit too familiar. Maybe that will change when I see them together. And again, I did like getting to meet her here and am looking forward to seeing what else happens to her. The mystery was very compelling. I saw a few things coming early, but there were some great twists that took me by surprise as well. I also enjoyed the nod to the Bosch TV show, which I guess means it is time for me to start watching it. Do keep in mind this is a police procedural, so the content is stronger than in the cozies I often read. If you haven’t met Ballard yet, you’ll be happy you picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning in Books
Jul 26, 2024
The book doesn’t hesitate, jumping into the murder in the first chapter. I found the pacing to be a little uneven, especially early on. The further I got into the book, the more impossibility we saw, and the more I was engaged. By the end, everything made sense. I also found the suspects a little shallow. I loved the first in the series, so maybe my expectations were too high here. The one thing that was definitely the same as the first book was the dry wit. I laughed so much reading this book. We get some nice Christmas cheer over the course of the book as well. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it for anyone looking for a humorous impossible crime mystery.
Debbiereadsbook (1764 KP) rated Stag Weekend: Island Confidential Novella in Books
Aug 2, 2025
Simon wanted to keep his head down, and out of the family gossip, since his engagement was called off. It's his sister's turn, given as no one likes Wyatt, the groom. But then Simon wakes up in Tate's bed, Wyatt's stepbrother. The ame stepbrother who Angie warned Wyatt to tell his brother to keep away from.
This book, right, is a catalogue of errors on Wyatt's part, saved by Tate and Simon, with a backdrop of gate-crashing cousins (who I really REALLY wanted to punch in the face!) missing rings, stolen wine, and some special moments between Simon and Tate that really were the best!
It's a lot, though. I found myself just waiting for the next drama, and it did get a weeny bit too much.
I loved Simon and Tate, both together and apart. Simon clearly hadn't met the right man to really SEE him like Tate does and I loved that Tate wouldn't let Simon talk himself out of whatever Tate had in mind at any given moment.
It's steamy in places and flipping hilarious in others. Not too much emotion, but there are moments that let you into Simon's mind. He has a lot more to say than Tate I think.
I really enjoyed all these books, they have been a lot of fun to read and sometimes, just sometimes, you really do need to laugh out while reading!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Crime and Parchment
9.0
Rate It
Book
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much...an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn't be in a...
ClareR (6241 KP) rated Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary Queen of Scots in Books
Jun 14, 2025
Captive Queen explains a lot of Mary’s life and also tells of how she got to the point of her imprisonment. So much information was gleaned from the encrypted letters that she sent to, and received from, her supporters. When they were decrypted, after their discovery in a French archive, they answered a lot of questions.
Jade Scott uses this information to paint a really interesting picture of Mary’s captivity, and just how involved she was in the various plots to release her and put her on the English throne. I mean, who can blame her?! She was imprisoned in some awful places - regardless of the fact that she was in castles or stately homes.
I rather enjoyed the little fictional chapter headers. They made it feel more personal, and ideal for people like me who don’t always enjoy dry, academic historical writing. This is absolutely not that - I whizzed through this book, thoroughly enjoying it.
So, if you enjoy history and want to find out more about Mary, Queen of Scots, you may well enjoy this too.
Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure
Book
1990. The Soviet Empire is unraveling. A circus has just arrived in America. When the first...
Historical Fiction Romantic Adventure Political Intrigue
Resolute (Kinsmen Billionaires #3)
7.0
Rate It
Book
He Never Wanted Love—Then She Walked Into His Life. I’ve spent my life building an empire,...
Billionaire Single Mom Marriage of Convenience Contemporary MF Romance