Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Barking with the Stars in Books
Apr 13, 2020
A Star is Dead
Pet therapist Caro Lamont is working with the stars and dogs who are part of the Barking with the Stars fundraiser, which is raising money for an organization that provides service dogs to soldiers who have returned from war. The biggest celebrity is Purple, an internationally famous pop star. But a few days before the big event, Purple is found dead. The police suspect foul play and are looking at Caro’s ex-husband. Geoffrey is many things, but a killer is one of them, right?
This series is always fun, and this book is no exception. The plot moves forward well, and Caro keeps digging until she puts things together in the end. I did feel like one plot point got forgotten as the book went forward, but that is a minor complaint. The characters are great. Caro and a few others seem very real, but the rest can be eccentric. They work in the series and provide some fun laughs, especially Betty. The series storylines advance as well, and I enjoyed getting those updates. This is another fun entry in a very fun series.
This series is always fun, and this book is no exception. The plot moves forward well, and Caro keeps digging until she puts things together in the end. I did feel like one plot point got forgotten as the book went forward, but that is a minor complaint. The characters are great. Caro and a few others seem very real, but the rest can be eccentric. They work in the series and provide some fun laughs, especially Betty. The series storylines advance as well, and I enjoyed getting those updates. This is another fun entry in a very fun series.
Round the Horne Compendium: Classic BBC Radio Comedy
Marty Feldman, Full Cast, Kenneth Horne and Barry Took
Book
A fascinating and hilarious collection of archive rarities - plus two restored episodes - from the...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Supernatural - Season 2 in TV
Oct 7, 2019
Another great series
I have to admit that this is a second series that actually surpasses the original, and that's fairly unusual although I'm intrigued to see if it can hold out over the 14+ seasons there's been so far.
The one thing that does lack a little in this series is the spirits/demons themselves. They don't seem quite so inventive as the first series, however this is only because there is a much bigger wider plot going on with the psychics and yellow eyed demon. This makes it a lot more serious and darker, but that's not to say it doesn't have it's lighter moments. The episode with the Trickster is downright hilarious, and there are some wickedly funny one liners and interactions between the brothers. It is looking a bit dated now, unsurprising seen as it first aired over a decade ago, but it's still good and also has a killer soundtrack. My only other criticism is the beyond irritating opening credits and recap scenes that plague every single episode. I really hope they don't carry these on across every season...
The one thing that does lack a little in this series is the spirits/demons themselves. They don't seem quite so inventive as the first series, however this is only because there is a much bigger wider plot going on with the psychics and yellow eyed demon. This makes it a lot more serious and darker, but that's not to say it doesn't have it's lighter moments. The episode with the Trickster is downright hilarious, and there are some wickedly funny one liners and interactions between the brothers. It is looking a bit dated now, unsurprising seen as it first aired over a decade ago, but it's still good and also has a killer soundtrack. My only other criticism is the beyond irritating opening credits and recap scenes that plague every single episode. I really hope they don't carry these on across every season...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Peaky Blinders - Season 1 in TV
Aug 26, 2019
Brutally brilliant
I've so far managed to avoid the hype around Peaky Blinders over the past few years, but now the 5th series has just started, I've finally decided to give in to curiosity and give it a go. And I'm really glad I did.
This is such a wonderful show, and is mainly thanks to the brilliant performances from a rather impressive cast. Most notably of course is Cillian Murphy, who puts in a truly stellar performance as Tommy Shelby. He's charming and threatening all in one go and it works well that the series focuses mainly on him.
The plot itself is thrilling, brutal, in parts funny and paced very well - it switches from action to dialogue to tense or heartwarming moments very deftly, and the episodes and entire series are just the right length. I was never bored, and the cliffhanger ending made me want to watch more straight away. My only issue is that I struggled with some of the accents, and I'm still not a fan of Annabelle Wallis. And the passage of time throughout the series seems a little inconsistent.
This is such a wonderful show, and is mainly thanks to the brilliant performances from a rather impressive cast. Most notably of course is Cillian Murphy, who puts in a truly stellar performance as Tommy Shelby. He's charming and threatening all in one go and it works well that the series focuses mainly on him.
The plot itself is thrilling, brutal, in parts funny and paced very well - it switches from action to dialogue to tense or heartwarming moments very deftly, and the episodes and entire series are just the right length. I was never bored, and the cliffhanger ending made me want to watch more straight away. My only issue is that I struggled with some of the accents, and I'm still not a fan of Annabelle Wallis. And the passage of time throughout the series seems a little inconsistent.
The Thin Blue Line
7.7
Rate It
TV Show
The Thin Blue Line (a colloquial term for police forces) is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Verse and Vengeance (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4) in Books
Sep 7, 2021
Weak Plot but Charming Characters
Violet Waverly is upset to see that PI Joel Redding is back in town, and once again staking out Charming Books, trying to learn about the secret of the bookstore. But when he is killed during the first annual Tour de Cascade Springs bike race, she begins to wonder what else he was up to. Will the investigation lead back to Violet’s secret? Why does the bookstore keep putting copies of Walt Whitman’s poetry in her path?
I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Storm Season (Olympic Cove #1) in Books
Apr 16, 2023
Storm Season starts off the Olympic Cove series and is actually the last book in the series that I have read. Although it meant that I knew some things before I started, it actually didn't have too much impact on the story. I still needed to know how Ian became partnered up with Bythos and Aphros.
This is such a fantastic series and this story certainly sets the scene, not only with what to expect from Thetis, but also from Olympic Cove as a whole. There are some fantastic characters in this book, some that I know make an appearance in later books, and some that I hope will make an appearance.
With a smooth writing style, intriguing plot line and characters that are completely drool-worthy with hot and smexy scenes too, this book has everything you could ask for. Highly recommended, both as a single book and also as the start of a fantastic series.
* 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!
Sep 28, 2015
This is such a fantastic series and this story certainly sets the scene, not only with what to expect from Thetis, but also from Olympic Cove as a whole. There are some fantastic characters in this book, some that I know make an appearance in later books, and some that I hope will make an appearance.
With a smooth writing style, intriguing plot line and characters that are completely drool-worthy with hot and smexy scenes too, this book has everything you could ask for. Highly recommended, both as a single book and also as the start of a fantastic series.
* 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!
Sep 28, 2015
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Bjerner and the Beast (Fairytales of the Myth #3) in Books
Feb 8, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
BJERNER AND THE BEAST is the third novella in the Fairytales of the Myth series, which takes fairytales back to the dark days of the Brothers Grimm. The Disney versions, this series is not!
For me, this book took the series back up a notch. I loved the story of Bjerner and Ophidia, even though it broke my heart so many times. Such a bittersweet ending for Bjerner and Ophidia, but tragic what happens after that. I also got to find out what happened to Thalliya!
Miranda Grant certainly knows how to write a story that involves all of your emotions. The pacing is good in this one too, not going too fast to get lost, but with plenty of action keeping your attention.
This one is the best of the series so far, in my opinion. Definitely recommended for all fans of dark fairytales!
* 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!
Feb 8, 2021
For me, this book took the series back up a notch. I loved the story of Bjerner and Ophidia, even though it broke my heart so many times. Such a bittersweet ending for Bjerner and Ophidia, but tragic what happens after that. I also got to find out what happened to Thalliya!
Miranda Grant certainly knows how to write a story that involves all of your emotions. The pacing is good in this one too, not going too fast to get lost, but with plenty of action keeping your attention.
This one is the best of the series so far, in my opinion. Definitely recommended for all fans of dark fairytales!
* 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!
Feb 8, 2021
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Okay this book was without a doubt the best in the series to date! I absolutely cannot wait for the final book in the series...but I'm not looking forward to the idea that the coming novel may mean the last the literary world gets to hear from Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, & the rest of their friends. This book bounces back & forth between Percy & Annabeth's harrowing journey through Tartarus & the rest of the 7 as they venture through the ancient lands to try to find the Doors of Death on Earth. The book was in fifth gear from page one & didn't let up, even at the end so be prepared. Just like in the third book, the fourth one is left VERY much hanging. Riordan has turned himself into a master of suspense with his cliffhanger endings in this series! Kudos