Search
Search results
The Double Clue: And Other Hercule Poirot Stories
Agatha Christie and Sophie Hannah
7.0
Rate It
Book
A perfect introduction to Agatha Christie - four of the best Hercule Poirot stories, chosen for...
ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Weather Woman in Books
May 19, 2025
The Weather Woman is a thoroughly lovely book about a girl/ woman who can predict the weather. When she’s orphaned, she’s adopted by a clockmaker who helps her to go public with her predictions from within an automaton. When she wants to debate with scientists (all men), she wears the disguise of a man. No one sees through it.
And then she falls in love with a young man - except he doesn’t know that the man he knows is actually a woman.
Despite the fantastical element, there’s a real sense of the time in history (Regency), with the attitudes towards women, the poverty and entertainments. All of this was woven together really well, so that the supernatural blended seemlessly with the history.
It’s a lovely story, narrated perfectly on the audiobook by Sophie Roberts.
And then she falls in love with a young man - except he doesn’t know that the man he knows is actually a woman.
Despite the fantastical element, there’s a real sense of the time in history (Regency), with the attitudes towards women, the poverty and entertainments. All of this was woven together really well, so that the supernatural blended seemlessly with the history.
It’s a lovely story, narrated perfectly on the audiobook by Sophie Roberts.
Darren (1599 KP) rated 100 Bloody Acres (2013) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: 100 Bloody Acres starts as we meet one of the brothers Reg (Herriman) who is a part of an organic fertiliser business, after Reg picks up a dead body, he finds himself drawn into picking up three hitchhikers, Sophie (McGahan), James (Ackland) and Wes (Kristian) who are heading to a music festival for a binge filled weekend.
Once Reg arrives back to his brother Lindsay (Sampson) the hapless brothers must decide to kill the three to continue to produce the highly popular fertiliser and keep their reputation up or let them go.
Thoughts on 100 Bloody Acres
Characters/Performance – Reg is the simple-minded brother who is always out to impress his brother, he brings the victims back to the factory. Lindsay is the brains of the act and he must clean up the mess Reg has left him in. He will go through with any killing. Sophie is the main reason Reg stops, she is travelling with her boyfriend but been cheating on him with their other friend. James just believes he is going to have the life he planned with Sophie. Wes is the traveller who enjoys a drug or two finding himself high through the whole film.
Performance wise, Damon and Angus are both good as the brother showing good chemistry as they do come off very different. Anna, Oliver and Jamie are all fine in the victim roles without coming off as interesting characters.
Story – The story has moments that feel fresh in places but in the main it is all just another version of group of travellers get taken by isolated people who must fight to survive or become the latest victims. It has good moments but doesn’t end up being the most memorable story in the genre.
Comedy/Horror – The comedy is good in places and does add to all the events of the film as it is almost what could go wrong does go wrong. The horror works in places too as we get the gore from it.
Settings – The Australian outback always makes for a good setting as we know how isolated the places are when it comes to the horror.
Special Effects – The effects work when needed without being used too often, the highlights come from the wild trip Wes is going through.
Final Thoughts – You want to see an Australian version of Tucker & Dale versus Evil, then this is for you but it doesn’t quite live up to the levels of that one.
Overall: Enjoyable horror comedy.
https://moviesreview101.com/2017/10/18/movie-reviews-101-midnight-halloween-horror-100-bloody-acres-2012/
Once Reg arrives back to his brother Lindsay (Sampson) the hapless brothers must decide to kill the three to continue to produce the highly popular fertiliser and keep their reputation up or let them go.
Thoughts on 100 Bloody Acres
Characters/Performance – Reg is the simple-minded brother who is always out to impress his brother, he brings the victims back to the factory. Lindsay is the brains of the act and he must clean up the mess Reg has left him in. He will go through with any killing. Sophie is the main reason Reg stops, she is travelling with her boyfriend but been cheating on him with their other friend. James just believes he is going to have the life he planned with Sophie. Wes is the traveller who enjoys a drug or two finding himself high through the whole film.
Performance wise, Damon and Angus are both good as the brother showing good chemistry as they do come off very different. Anna, Oliver and Jamie are all fine in the victim roles without coming off as interesting characters.
Story – The story has moments that feel fresh in places but in the main it is all just another version of group of travellers get taken by isolated people who must fight to survive or become the latest victims. It has good moments but doesn’t end up being the most memorable story in the genre.
Comedy/Horror – The comedy is good in places and does add to all the events of the film as it is almost what could go wrong does go wrong. The horror works in places too as we get the gore from it.
Settings – The Australian outback always makes for a good setting as we know how isolated the places are when it comes to the horror.
Special Effects – The effects work when needed without being used too often, the highlights come from the wild trip Wes is going through.
Final Thoughts – You want to see an Australian version of Tucker & Dale versus Evil, then this is for you but it doesn’t quite live up to the levels of that one.
Overall: Enjoyable horror comedy.
https://moviesreview101.com/2017/10/18/movie-reviews-101-midnight-halloween-horror-100-bloody-acres-2012/
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Surprise Me in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Sylvie and Dan have their annual check ups and discover that they have the probability of being married for the next 68 years. It gives them the idea to surprise each other in little ways to help keep their marriage alive. But will this really work to keep the marriage healthy? When the surprises start to backfire, Sylvie and Dan have to take a closer look at their lives together and try to reevaluate their choices.
Sophie Kinsella is one of those authors whose books I have on my TBR, but I haven't read very many of them. Her books are light-hearted and fun with a bit of an edge. This book had me laughing and crying. 68 years is an awfully long time to be with one person. I can only hope to have that with my husband. But what can you do to keep the romance alive and not get bored. Sylvie and Dan believe they have the right idea, but will everything blow up in their faces?
At first the surprises are small, a new piece of clothing, a changing of the decor in the kitchen. But then they get bigger. But when Dan starts to seem distant, Sylvie believes that everything she is trying to keep their marriage alive, is actually backfiring and she may lose Dan forever. When she finds out the truth, she will be crushed as well as fall more in love with her husband.
At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. It took me a while to get into it, but after a while, I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen.
If you're a Sophie Kinsella fan, I highly suggest you read this book. If you're married, it's a great book to read.
Sophie Kinsella is one of those authors whose books I have on my TBR, but I haven't read very many of them. Her books are light-hearted and fun with a bit of an edge. This book had me laughing and crying. 68 years is an awfully long time to be with one person. I can only hope to have that with my husband. But what can you do to keep the romance alive and not get bored. Sylvie and Dan believe they have the right idea, but will everything blow up in their faces?
At first the surprises are small, a new piece of clothing, a changing of the decor in the kitchen. But then they get bigger. But when Dan starts to seem distant, Sylvie believes that everything she is trying to keep their marriage alive, is actually backfiring and she may lose Dan forever. When she finds out the truth, she will be crushed as well as fall more in love with her husband.
At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. It took me a while to get into it, but after a while, I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen.
If you're a Sophie Kinsella fan, I highly suggest you read this book. If you're married, it's a great book to read.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Never Game in Books
May 22, 2019
A student kidnapped from the park.
Nineteen-year-old Sophie disappears one summer afternoon. She wakes up to find herself locked inside a derelict warehouse, surrounded by five objects. If she uses them wisely, she will escape her prison. Otherwise she will die.
An investigator running out of time.
Sophies distraught father calls in the one man who can help find his daughter: unique investigator Colter Shaw. Raised in the wilderness by survivalist parents, he is an expert tracker with a forensic mind trained to solve the most challenging cases. But this will be a test even for him.
A killer playing a dangerous game.
Soon a blogger called Henry is abducted left to die in the dark heart of a remote forest and the whole case gets turned on its head. Because this killer isn't following the rules; hes changing them. One murder at a time
The Never Game is the first book in Jefferry Deaver's new series. There is a prequel novella that introduces our new lead Colter Shaw; the novella is called "Captivated".
I have to say this is just as good as the Lincoln Rhyme books.
Colter Shaw is someone who earns reward money for a living. In this story her is tracing a missing girl for her father.
We do get a bit of back story in this one about our new lead man which is good.
The story is a great thrilling suspenseful plot. Fast paced and keeps you gripped throughout.
Loving the new characters and can't wait to see their development in further novels.
Really enjoyed this and would give more than 5* if I could.
Highly recommend.
My thanks to publisher Harper Collins for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest voluntary review.
Nineteen-year-old Sophie disappears one summer afternoon. She wakes up to find herself locked inside a derelict warehouse, surrounded by five objects. If she uses them wisely, she will escape her prison. Otherwise she will die.
An investigator running out of time.
Sophies distraught father calls in the one man who can help find his daughter: unique investigator Colter Shaw. Raised in the wilderness by survivalist parents, he is an expert tracker with a forensic mind trained to solve the most challenging cases. But this will be a test even for him.
A killer playing a dangerous game.
Soon a blogger called Henry is abducted left to die in the dark heart of a remote forest and the whole case gets turned on its head. Because this killer isn't following the rules; hes changing them. One murder at a time
The Never Game is the first book in Jefferry Deaver's new series. There is a prequel novella that introduces our new lead Colter Shaw; the novella is called "Captivated".
I have to say this is just as good as the Lincoln Rhyme books.
Colter Shaw is someone who earns reward money for a living. In this story her is tracing a missing girl for her father.
We do get a bit of back story in this one about our new lead man which is good.
The story is a great thrilling suspenseful plot. Fast paced and keeps you gripped throughout.
Loving the new characters and can't wait to see their development in further novels.
Really enjoyed this and would give more than 5* if I could.
Highly recommend.
My thanks to publisher Harper Collins for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest voluntary review.
Merissa (12894 KP) rated Emergence (Voodoo Butterfly #2) in Books
Oct 17, 2018
Emergence (Voodoo Butterfly #2) by Camille Faye
Emergence is the second book in the Voodoo Butterfly series, and we start pretty much where we left off. Sophia and Taj are still together, although things aren't quite as smooth as they were. However, trouble isn't far away, and Poppy ends up being injured. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and things quickly go downhill for Sophie. Add to that, Taj disappears mysteriously, quickly followed by Avi.
I'll be honest here, for a while I was worried this was going to become the ubiquitous love triangle, but Camille Faye managed to avoid that in this book. Now, I'm not saying it may not happen in the future, but for now, in this book, we're safe.
There is plenty of action and adventure in this book, possibly more than Voodoo Butterfly, and it is great to see Sophie growing in confidence and power. We also meet more of the Mambos, and find out more about them, which made for incredible reading.
I am absolutely loving this series, as it is exceptionally written, with no editing or grammatical errors that spoil my reading. The story is intricate and intriguing, definitely leaving me wanting more. With a great cast of supporting characters to round things off, there is simply nothing about this series/book that I don't like.
Fair warning though - there is still a mystery to solve regarding Taj, and it does end on a cliffhanger. I know something is going on with him, but I'll always be Team Jacques!
Definitely recommended by me!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I'll be honest here, for a while I was worried this was going to become the ubiquitous love triangle, but Camille Faye managed to avoid that in this book. Now, I'm not saying it may not happen in the future, but for now, in this book, we're safe.
There is plenty of action and adventure in this book, possibly more than Voodoo Butterfly, and it is great to see Sophie growing in confidence and power. We also meet more of the Mambos, and find out more about them, which made for incredible reading.
I am absolutely loving this series, as it is exceptionally written, with no editing or grammatical errors that spoil my reading. The story is intricate and intriguing, definitely leaving me wanting more. With a great cast of supporting characters to round things off, there is simply nothing about this series/book that I don't like.
Fair warning though - there is still a mystery to solve regarding Taj, and it does end on a cliffhanger. I know something is going on with him, but I'll always be Team Jacques!
Definitely recommended by me!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The Great Interior Design Challenge: Decorate Your Home with Style
Book
The Great Interior Design Challenge is the official tie-in to the prime-time BBC Two series....
The Perfect Sister
6.0
Rate It
Book
Original Title: The Family Secret Claire always wished for a sister. But should you be careful...
Mystery Thriller Stand-alone
Sam (1 KP) rated The Hole in the Middle in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway and somehow never received it. I contacted the author and she was sooo very gracious to send me out another copy, thank you so much!! You are Awesome!!! :)
From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the story. The chaotic life of a working Mom and her crazy work life! The anxiety of trying to balance kids, husband, a horrid boss, meeting after meeting, added job duties and then an old flame from the past that she still has unanswered questions about. Sophie was a likable and easily understandable character. I have felt the same way sometimes in regards to certain things.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for a new book, Kate Hilton is a very talented and wonderful author!! Please keep them coming!!
From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the story. The chaotic life of a working Mom and her crazy work life! The anxiety of trying to balance kids, husband, a horrid boss, meeting after meeting, added job duties and then an old flame from the past that she still has unanswered questions about. Sophie was a likable and easily understandable character. I have felt the same way sometimes in regards to certain things.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for a new book, Kate Hilton is a very talented and wonderful author!! Please keep them coming!!
Friendly Fire
8.0
Rate It
Book
From the author of Richard and Judy bestseller 'Notes from an Exhibition' a tale of youthful...