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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Mayhem in Books
Aug 25, 2020
YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
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8.0
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Debbiereadsbook (1202 KP) rated The Final Hunt in Books
Jun 20, 2022
3 good, but not for me, stars
Independent reviewer for Arcaheolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the second book of Cole's I've read, and I think, the last. I had pretty much the same feeling about this one as I had about the other book I read.
Cameron is mourning her husband and finds a memory stick that sends her life into a tailspin. Finding out your husband is a serial killer is bad enough, but thinking he might not actually be dead and that he implicated her? She knows what she needs to do.
Sometimes, you need a book that has everything laid out for you very early on, and you can see exactly where it's gonna go, what's gonna happen and it veers very little from that long straight road. And I think, that this is such a book.
You put everything together quickly enough, putting all the pieces on the board and watching them do their thing. There was a few minor twists and turns, but none that were total shockers.
I did like the way Cameron dealt with the situation she found herself in, and that little bit at the end that did actually leave me wondering!
I can't say it was a Nice book, because of the subject matter, but it really is a relatively easy read that wiled away a few hours. I'm just sorry it really wasn't one for me.
While it isn't for me, what is here is well written, well delivered and well edited.
3 good, but not for me, stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the second book of Cole's I've read, and I think, the last. I had pretty much the same feeling about this one as I had about the other book I read.
Cameron is mourning her husband and finds a memory stick that sends her life into a tailspin. Finding out your husband is a serial killer is bad enough, but thinking he might not actually be dead and that he implicated her? She knows what she needs to do.
Sometimes, you need a book that has everything laid out for you very early on, and you can see exactly where it's gonna go, what's gonna happen and it veers very little from that long straight road. And I think, that this is such a book.
You put everything together quickly enough, putting all the pieces on the board and watching them do their thing. There was a few minor twists and turns, but none that were total shockers.
I did like the way Cameron dealt with the situation she found herself in, and that little bit at the end that did actually leave me wondering!
I can't say it was a Nice book, because of the subject matter, but it really is a relatively easy read that wiled away a few hours. I'm just sorry it really wasn't one for me.
While it isn't for me, what is here is well written, well delivered and well edited.
3 good, but not for me, stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (12066 KP) rated America's Femme Fatale The Story of Serial Killer Belle Gunness in Books
Oct 1, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
AMERICA'S FEMME FATALE is the story of a female serial killer who did it for the money or to keep people quiet or from looking at her too closely. Belle is cold-hearted, cold-blooded, and sadly in my mind, managed to get away with it.
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
Amy Christmas (170 KP) rated My Sister, the Serial Killer in Books
Feb 4, 2019
Short and sweet (1 more)
Characters are well built and easy to connect with
The ending (1 more)
Lack of retribution
Infuriatingly good
Contains spoilers, click to show
I loved this book, in fact I read it in one sitting I just couldn't let the anger it infused in me settle.
Korede is our main character, she's a nurse and her sister is a narcissistic selfish serial killer. The book opens with Korede cleaning up one of her Ayoolas messes.
At first you might be mistaken thinking that Ayoola is just nïave, you'd be wrong. We come to learn that she knows exactly what she's doing and it is killing Korede, the big sister that will forever love her little sister, even if it pains the reader.
Korede is fine with her sisters killing it's seems though the last one unsettled something within her,raising a question that must be answered; should she tell the police?
Most with siblings might say no because they're family, this is at first the stance Korede takes. However when Ayoola, possibly trying to make up for inconveniencing her sister via a dead body visits her at work and settles her eyes on Tade.
I loved Tade to begin with. Slowly you learn he's just as much of an arsehole as the next berating Korede for being mean to her sister, even when Korede warns him she's dangerous.
While all of this is going on Korede confides all her secrets to a coma patient it calms her, but when he wakes up who knows what he's remembered.
In the end the question of whether to turn Ayoola in or not returns, and this is where the story went downhill for me, as Korede herself allows Ayoola to manipulate her, only to bring home a new man the next day.
Will I read it again?
Maybe, who's to know?
Korede is our main character, she's a nurse and her sister is a narcissistic selfish serial killer. The book opens with Korede cleaning up one of her Ayoolas messes.
At first you might be mistaken thinking that Ayoola is just nïave, you'd be wrong. We come to learn that she knows exactly what she's doing and it is killing Korede, the big sister that will forever love her little sister, even if it pains the reader.
Korede is fine with her sisters killing it's seems though the last one unsettled something within her,raising a question that must be answered; should she tell the police?
Most with siblings might say no because they're family, this is at first the stance Korede takes. However when Ayoola, possibly trying to make up for inconveniencing her sister via a dead body visits her at work and settles her eyes on Tade.
I loved Tade to begin with. Slowly you learn he's just as much of an arsehole as the next berating Korede for being mean to her sister, even when Korede warns him she's dangerous.
While all of this is going on Korede confides all her secrets to a coma patient it calms her, but when he wakes up who knows what he's remembered.
In the end the question of whether to turn Ayoola in or not returns, and this is where the story went downhill for me, as Korede herself allows Ayoola to manipulate her, only to bring home a new man the next day.
Will I read it again?
Maybe, who's to know?
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Vision (Harrison Investigation, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
While at the beginning I wasn't too sure I would like Thor -- he was too arrogant and jerky -- and then I wasn't too sure about Gen -- can you say prickly? -- I ended up liking them and their story all the same. Actually the plot and mystery is what really kept me reading. I liked that it was harder to figure out whodunnit than the others in this series, but I did have it narrowed down to two suspects and ended up picking the right one (go me!). Although I'm still not sure exactly why they did it, but then again, when you're a serial killer, do you really need a reason?
The only thing that really bothered me was everyone's outlook on Gen. She's a frickin' Mary-Sue when it goes to someone else's point-of-view or if they're talking about her when she's not around, so I really got sick of hearing how sensual she is, how perfect, how tall and slim, how her smile is perfect -- gag me. When it was through her eyes, everything was fine and I liked her, but really, I can only take so much of hearing about what utter perfection she is. At one point, a local musician said something to the affect that she's Key West's 'jewel' (or gem, something like that) and it was like come on, give me a break. Talk about overkill. There was nothing in the book to even get the impression that she's that well known about the island.
Anyway, aside from my rant, I liked it and thought that the mystery aspect was the best part of the book and it kept me guessing and hooked until the end.
The only thing that really bothered me was everyone's outlook on Gen. She's a frickin' Mary-Sue when it goes to someone else's point-of-view or if they're talking about her when she's not around, so I really got sick of hearing how sensual she is, how perfect, how tall and slim, how her smile is perfect -- gag me. When it was through her eyes, everything was fine and I liked her, but really, I can only take so much of hearing about what utter perfection she is. At one point, a local musician said something to the affect that she's Key West's 'jewel' (or gem, something like that) and it was like come on, give me a break. Talk about overkill. There was nothing in the book to even get the impression that she's that well known about the island.
Anyway, aside from my rant, I liked it and thought that the mystery aspect was the best part of the book and it kept me guessing and hooked until the end.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated The Narrows (Harry Bosch, #10; Harry Bosch Universe, #13) in Books
May 22, 2019
Harry Bosch Vs. The Poet
The Poet is back, and he is calling out FBI agent Rachel Walling. She has been summoned from a field office in South Dakota to a burial scene in Las Vegas to help the FBI track down this serial killer once and for all. Meanwhile, retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch has been asked to investigate the death of a friend by his widow. Everyone thought this death was natural causes, but Bosch begins to agree that there was something suspicious about his death. Where will the investigation lead?
While The Poet wasn’t originally part of the Harry Bosch series, this is a direct sequel to that Michael Connelly book. If you haven’t read it, you’ll definitely want to since it spoils twists in that book, and the story here will mean more to you as well. It is obvious to us that these two investigations are going to come together, and Connelly does a great job of keeping us entertained as he lays that ground work. We get plenty of twists as we go along, and the book kept me engrossed until we reached the very end. We get some follow up on the twist in Bosch’s personal life from the end of the previous book, and I enjoyed seeing his character grow as a result. The rest of the cast is just as strong, which is no surprise. We get the story from Bosch’s first-person point of view as well as the third-person point of view of other characters; these switches are never confusing and really enhance the story. Obviously, this is a darker book than my normal cozies, but I knew that going in and that didn’t bother me. This is another masterpiece from a wonderful writer.
While The Poet wasn’t originally part of the Harry Bosch series, this is a direct sequel to that Michael Connelly book. If you haven’t read it, you’ll definitely want to since it spoils twists in that book, and the story here will mean more to you as well. It is obvious to us that these two investigations are going to come together, and Connelly does a great job of keeping us entertained as he lays that ground work. We get plenty of twists as we go along, and the book kept me engrossed until we reached the very end. We get some follow up on the twist in Bosch’s personal life from the end of the previous book, and I enjoyed seeing his character grow as a result. The rest of the cast is just as strong, which is no surprise. We get the story from Bosch’s first-person point of view as well as the third-person point of view of other characters; these switches are never confusing and really enhance the story. Obviously, this is a darker book than my normal cozies, but I knew that going in and that didn’t bother me. This is another masterpiece from a wonderful writer.
Connie (244 KP) rated Werewolf Online in Apps
Jul 26, 2018 (Updated Jul 26, 2018)
Ranked mode (2 more)
New roles being added all the time
Online means you can play anytime
The best reboot of classic Mafia/ Werewolf card games!
I liked the card game Mafia as a kid. It was fun and made parties interesting. When I found Werewolf, I was more interested--the sci-fi/ fantasy theme really sucked me in farther. Now that it's an app, I literally can't put it down!
One team faces three other teams to try and be top dog (errr... wolf, actually) at the end of the game. Assigned a random role with a special ability, you have to try and hunt down all the members of all the other teams and lynch/shoot/holy water them without your own team being knocked out first. Will you be assigned to the Villager team as a Seer or the Mayor? Will you "wake up" as a Werewolf, or as the Shaman? Will you be the Serial Killer or the Arsonist, trying to kill every other player? Or will you be the Fool or Headhunter, trying to be lynched or get one other specific person lynched?
Every game is different. Every game is online against hundreds of others all around the world. And every game, only one team (sometimes only one player) can win.
It's tactical. It's skill and intrigue, lies and manipulations and downright back-stabbing as the most clever rise to the top.
On top of that, new roles are being added constantly through the Discord servers. If you've got an idea, they want to hear it. Several writers have already had their ideas incorporated, and it's awfully interesting to help those roles get perfected!
All in all this is a solid party favorite made playable anywhere. 10/10 WILL play again!
One team faces three other teams to try and be top dog (errr... wolf, actually) at the end of the game. Assigned a random role with a special ability, you have to try and hunt down all the members of all the other teams and lynch/shoot/holy water them without your own team being knocked out first. Will you be assigned to the Villager team as a Seer or the Mayor? Will you "wake up" as a Werewolf, or as the Shaman? Will you be the Serial Killer or the Arsonist, trying to kill every other player? Or will you be the Fool or Headhunter, trying to be lynched or get one other specific person lynched?
Every game is different. Every game is online against hundreds of others all around the world. And every game, only one team (sometimes only one player) can win.
It's tactical. It's skill and intrigue, lies and manipulations and downright back-stabbing as the most clever rise to the top.
On top of that, new roles are being added constantly through the Discord servers. If you've got an idea, they want to hear it. Several writers have already had their ideas incorporated, and it's awfully interesting to help those roles get perfected!
All in all this is a solid party favorite made playable anywhere. 10/10 WILL play again!