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ClareR (5869 KP) rated Make Me Clean in Books

Feb 24, 2023  
Make Me Clean
Make Me Clean
Tina Baker | 2023 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tina Baker just gets better and better. Make Me Clean is about Maria, a cleaner, who always seems to be able to get herself involved with the wrong people. Or rather, the wrong situation.

Maria is clearly hiding from someone or something. She makes sure she operates under everyones radar. She’s nervous, lonely and seemingly vulnerable. At least that’s what it appears to begin with.

As Maria’s story is told, we learn just what kind of trouble she has managed to get herself into, and it’s possibly the worst kind. As the flower bed in Elsie’s back garden would attest to. But, you see, Maria is also a very caring person. She cares for Elsie like she’s the most important person in the world. And to Maria, she is.

Tina Baker gets under the skin of her characters, and I really think she’s hit the jackpot with Maria. The writing is superb. The juxtaposition between Murderous Maria and Vulnerable Maria become more blurred as the book goes on.

I felt sorry for a woman who becomes increasingly stabby.

I can’t wait to see where, and with whom, Tina takes us next.

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Tina for reading along.
  
The Colours of Death
The Colours of Death
Patricia Marques | 2021 | Crime, Paranormal, Thriller
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Colours of Death is a detective novel set in a present day, alternative Lisbon. A minority of the population are Gifted with either telepathy or telekinesis, and they are heavily regulated. When it comes to light that a death on a train might have some Gifted involvement, Inspector Isabel Reis is put on the case with her team. She is a telepath, and her own problems with that gift soon make themselves known.

They’re a fantastic cast of characters, and they work well together )literally, in the case of the police team). It’s another angle on discrimination: instead of religion or skin colour, the Gifted are discriminated against because of their gifts - something they have no choice or control over.

This novel feels a little dystopian in places: when people go ‘missing’ if they lose control of their gifts, for example. And all Gifted are kept on a register where they’re regularly assessed. If they exceed a certain level, they’re removed from society for everyone else’s safety.

I really enjoyed this - the storyline was interesting, gripping, in fact, and exciting when it needed to be. The main character was flawed and very likeable, and the food constantly made me feel hungry!

I will be looking out for the next book in the series.
  
Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon
2018 | Sci-Fi
Excellent character development (2 more)
Phenomenal special effects
Edge of your seat action throughout the plot line, never felt the story lagging.
Phenomenal Show
Contains spoilers, click to show
In this age of technology I am rarely singularly glued to the television when a show is playing; I'm playing Candy Crush, surfing Etsy, creating new glassware designs... From the moment Takeshi Kovacs is apprehended from the Protectorate until the very last scene of the series this show had me glued to the screen. It combines the "locked room" mystery Agatha Christie made famous with a sci-fi Game of Thrones feel that evokes the Red Rising trilogy sense of Golds vs. Reds.

The lack of regard for anyone below them (literally as well as figuratively) makes it easy to hate the Meths and the decadence that surrounds them. Their wealth allows a god-like immortality, and a lack of respect for life and "real death". Kovacs was detained for crimes against the Protectorate and his stack placed "on ice" for 250 years until the meth Laurens Bancroft pays for his release and a new skin. As Kovacs accepts the offer to find Bancrofts murder, and as he searches for the killer he finds friendship in an AI Edgar Allen Poe (one of the best characters in the whole show), a former military drunk and his wife and daughter, who is damaged emotionally trapped in virtual life, and a police officer. There are also several people after Elias Ryker (a police officer who was a little too curious), which causes issue for Kovacs because that is the skin Bancroft selected when he was taken off ice.


The locked room mystery portion of the season ends in episode 7, but that is far from the end of the action. As we learn more about Kovacs' history his interest in the Envoy mission of recapturing humanity and forcing real death on the world is made more evident, as is his love for Quell. His sister, Rei, did not believe in the mission as much as spending eternity with her big brother. While Kovacs was on ice his sister built a meth empire, acquiring wealth and power, becoming everything Quell and Kovacs fought against. The final moments with his sister, and his decision to find Quell's stack were gripping.


The cinematography, costuming, and CGI in this show are phenomenal, and the attention to detail is obvious. As Netflix is transitioning to big budget productions it's clear they have the right people handling the decisions. I didn't realize this series was also a book trilogy written by Richard Morgan, this series has definitely peaked my interest and I will be reading the books before the next season drops.
  
R(
Redemption (The Revelation, #3)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

"Oh. My. God. Randi, you are awesome!" Okay, so I may have just stolen that from her books but the truth still stands. This series is one I found by accident but I have never been happier! The books are simply outstanding and everything about them is just perfect for me - from the covers down to the nitty-gritty of editing and grammar. I am a long-term fan of both Randi and The Revelation Series so I warn you now that I will be squealing like a fangirl. But anyway, onto Redemption itself.

If you want a book that you can pick up and put down again without any problems then you need to WALK AWAY!! These books will get under your skin, the characters within the pages you will love, then hate, then love again as Randi plays with your emotions. She is a wicked author ;)

Redemption will take you on a rollercoaster of a ride. You start with major, almost catatonic depression, then anger, then hope, then love, happiness, friendship - need I go on? There is a gamut of emotional highs and lows in this book and it's not just from the main characters. Smaller characters that have just had a supporting role up to now get their chance to shine. We learn more about everyone and meet new allies too. We meet old allies and feel our heart break all over again. Did I mention this book is emotional?

I love the way that Randi writes - she draws you into the story and it enfolds you. The characters get under your skin until they feel like friends/enemies or even frenemies. Whichever, you know them! They are not just words on a page.

This is a series of five books and as such they are not standalones. Randi has got the art of the ending down to a 'T' and she kills me every time! So far, I have issued a kleenex warning with both her previous books and this one is no different. The ending took me by surprise and left me reeling. I can honestly say that I finished the book, shook my head and went back to re-read the last chapter because I just couldn't bear for the book to be finished.

I am now impatiently waiting for books 4 and 5 and once I have my grubby paws on them, I will be re-reading this whole series back to back. A fantastic, hot, witty, smexy Paranormal Romance that will draw you in and not let you go. I can't recommend this highly enough!