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Cate Blanchett recommended The True History Of The Kelly Gang in Books (curated)
David McK (3219 KP) rated The Return of Sherlock Holmes in Books
Feb 25, 2024
Sherlock Holmes DIDN'T die at The Reichenbach Falls.
That's despite his creator (Arthur Conan Doyle) getting fed up with writing about him, and (supposedly) killing him off at that location during The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story.
You do have to wonder, however, just how dedicated to that decision he was as he left himself an 'out' ("Holmes body was never found"), finally succumbing to public demand - and a boat load of money - to resurrect the character roughly 10 years after he had been killed off (with the earlier-set The Hound of the Baskervilles being released in the interim period).
This, then, is another collection of short stories, with the collection I read including:
"The Adventure of the Empty House"
"The Adventure of the Norwood Builder"
"The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
"The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist"
"The Adventure of the Priory School"
"The Adventure of Black Peter"
"The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"
"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons"
"The Adventure of the Three Students"
"The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez"
"The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter"
"The Adventure of the Abbey Grange"
"The Adventure of the Second Stain"
As before, thoroughly enjoyable all!
That's despite his creator (Arthur Conan Doyle) getting fed up with writing about him, and (supposedly) killing him off at that location during The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story.
You do have to wonder, however, just how dedicated to that decision he was as he left himself an 'out' ("Holmes body was never found"), finally succumbing to public demand - and a boat load of money - to resurrect the character roughly 10 years after he had been killed off (with the earlier-set The Hound of the Baskervilles being released in the interim period).
This, then, is another collection of short stories, with the collection I read including:
"The Adventure of the Empty House"
"The Adventure of the Norwood Builder"
"The Adventure of the Dancing Men"
"The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist"
"The Adventure of the Priory School"
"The Adventure of Black Peter"
"The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"
"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons"
"The Adventure of the Three Students"
"The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez"
"The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter"
"The Adventure of the Abbey Grange"
"The Adventure of the Second Stain"
As before, thoroughly enjoyable all!
TerraBlizzard (18 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey in Video Games
May 24, 2019
Little buggy for such a big game. (2 more)
Depth of character customization.
Replay value is high. Multiple endings that can be hard to achieve for certain ones.
The game that brought the franchise back into good light.
A beautifull addition to the AC collection, taking the parts that worked in previous titles and combining them to a solid core story.
If you haven't played this yet, do. But bare in mind the story can take abit of getting into the first 3 hours of gameplay can be tedious to get through but once you put on the "mask" that's when the story starts to grip you so keep playing.
The story of these games have been the key to their success and this game keeps it going but love it or hate it the game is based 95% in history more than present day. With short bits of modern day play which I personally would of like to seen more of building upon the modern day creed and it's standing against the Templars. With that said Odysseus breaks the one main story line up into parts of 4 each driving you to a different goal.
Graphics are great on HD, so this gives me hope for those with 4k screens and High spec consoles/PC set ups to enjoy a beautifully crafted world.
If you haven't played this yet, do. But bare in mind the story can take abit of getting into the first 3 hours of gameplay can be tedious to get through but once you put on the "mask" that's when the story starts to grip you so keep playing.
The story of these games have been the key to their success and this game keeps it going but love it or hate it the game is based 95% in history more than present day. With short bits of modern day play which I personally would of like to seen more of building upon the modern day creed and it's standing against the Templars. With that said Odysseus breaks the one main story line up into parts of 4 each driving you to a different goal.
Graphics are great on HD, so this gives me hope for those with 4k screens and High spec consoles/PC set ups to enjoy a beautifully crafted world.
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Love Bites in Books
Apr 6, 2018
This is a collection of short stories that follow various people who are not where they started out. They are immigrants, eccentrics and those who really don't want to be where they are. Themes include loss, isolation/ loneliness and difference.
Stories that particularly stood out for me, were the story about a girl who loses her leg, the elderly woman trying to escaper her old people's home if only she could remember what she's supposed to be doing, and the woman who goes to see a 'Sheikh' for family relationship advice.
All of the stories made me stop and think - mainly about what I would have done in their circumstances. Very thought provoking.
This was another book read on 'The Pigeonhole' social reading platform.
Stories that particularly stood out for me, were the story about a girl who loses her leg, the elderly woman trying to escaper her old people's home if only she could remember what she's supposed to be doing, and the woman who goes to see a 'Sheikh' for family relationship advice.
All of the stories made me stop and think - mainly about what I would have done in their circumstances. Very thought provoking.
This was another book read on 'The Pigeonhole' social reading platform.
Milleen (47 KP) rated Uncommon Type: Some Stories in Books
Jan 14, 2019
This is a collection of short stories that have been crafted by the Oscar winning Mr Hanks over the past twenty years. Each story has a connection to one of those nostalgic machines, a typewriter. The style of prose is very Hanks, you can hear his voice in the expression of his characters. There is warmth, gentleness and an essence of reality that leads you to believe that, despite all his worldly success, Hanks remains grounded and likeable. Whilst this isn’t the best example of prose, it has a lot to offer, if you are a fan of Hanks then this is an insightful, pleasant read. I listened to some of the stories on audio and thoroughly enjoyed hearing them told by the man himself.
David McK (3219 KP) rated Biggles Learns to Fly in Books
Dec 23, 2020
I was going to start this by saying this was the earliest set of the Biggles stories, back in The First World War.
Then I did a bit of research, and discovered that it depends upon how (and what) you are counting as a Biggles story/book - see http://www.biggles.info/
Perhaps, then, it would be better to say that this is the earliest set of any I have read.
Published in 1935, this is (apparently) a collection of 12 separate short stories, all of which are loosely linked together and follows some of Biggles earlier exploits.
I realise I'm not the target audience for these (I'm now too old). I don't care: sometimes it's nice just to re-live your childhood!
Then I did a bit of research, and discovered that it depends upon how (and what) you are counting as a Biggles story/book - see http://www.biggles.info/
Perhaps, then, it would be better to say that this is the earliest set of any I have read.
Published in 1935, this is (apparently) a collection of 12 separate short stories, all of which are loosely linked together and follows some of Biggles earlier exploits.
I realise I'm not the target audience for these (I'm now too old). I don't care: sometimes it's nice just to re-live your childhood!
David McK (3219 KP) rated Blood of Elves in Books
Oct 7, 2019
This is the first full-length Witcher novel, which I read after both the collection of short stories contained with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Nine Ways to Die in Books
Jan 24, 2021
Fifteen-year-old January "Jan" hates the new town she has moved to but loves her new boyfriend, Jean. Her parents are never home, and her sister is in hospital, so she spends the summer days with her new friends. The only people she meets are around her age, and she never comes across any adults. The buildings are decrepit and old, almost like a ghost town. The more time Jan spends with her friends, the more peculiar the town, Memoir Falls feels.
Nine Ways to Die is a short story by versatile writer, Jordan Elizabeth. The details about Jan's past gradually emerge until Jan, along with the reader, discovers the truth about the strange town and its inhabitants. There are clues everywhere, but like Jan, readers fail to notice them until they come together in a sudden climax.
Through Jan's eyes, readers experience the town as though they are also new inhabitants. Although it is a short story, there is so much on offer: suspense, romance, thrills, and the supernatural. For those familiar with Jordan Elizabeth's work, this is a welcome addition to her vast collection of books. For newbie readers, this is a tempting taste of the author's full potential.
Nine Ways to Die is a short story by versatile writer, Jordan Elizabeth. The details about Jan's past gradually emerge until Jan, along with the reader, discovers the truth about the strange town and its inhabitants. There are clues everywhere, but like Jan, readers fail to notice them until they come together in a sudden climax.
Through Jan's eyes, readers experience the town as though they are also new inhabitants. Although it is a short story, there is so much on offer: suspense, romance, thrills, and the supernatural. For those familiar with Jordan Elizabeth's work, this is a welcome addition to her vast collection of books. For newbie readers, this is a tempting taste of the author's full potential.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2086 KP) rated Haunted House Murder in Books
Aug 17, 2022
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.
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.
Honeycomb by Joanne Harris is a collection of short fairy tales that are all connected by way of the Lacewing King so that a bigger picture of this world is built. The Lacewing King is a cruel and selfish ruler, as are many of the Kings and Queens of the Silken Folk. However the Lacewing King begins to learn that there are consequences to his actions.
I loved these stories. I’m a huge fan of fairytales, myths and legends - they’re most definitely not just stories for children, as these dark and often disturbing stories prove. In fact, these short tales are just like the original fairy tales, in that people are tricked, driven to madness and die (but not ALL the time!).
The seemingly separate stories gives the reader more insight to the world of the Silken Folk, and the overarching story of the Lacewing King was just perfection. The beautiful artwork by Charles Vess really does make this a very special book, and I’m going to be sad to see it go back to the library!
I’d highly recommend this wonderful book.
I loved these stories. I’m a huge fan of fairytales, myths and legends - they’re most definitely not just stories for children, as these dark and often disturbing stories prove. In fact, these short tales are just like the original fairy tales, in that people are tricked, driven to madness and die (but not ALL the time!).
The seemingly separate stories gives the reader more insight to the world of the Silken Folk, and the overarching story of the Lacewing King was just perfection. The beautiful artwork by Charles Vess really does make this a very special book, and I’m going to be sad to see it go back to the library!
I’d highly recommend this wonderful book.