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Emily, Gone
8.5
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A missing child sets the lives of three women on a collision course in this powerful and compelling...
fiction adult mystery southern fiction
Plain Like Vanilla: An American Tale
9.0
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Plain Like Vanilla is a gripping tale of murder, betrayal, and awakening. Charlottesville,...
Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Final Cut in Books
Nov 16, 2023
Deadly First Day on Set
Costumer Joey Jessop is happy to be working on the latest big budget superhero movie. However, the first day gets off to a rocky start with the director showing how horrible he can be, an electrical accident, and then a murder. Joey is the person to find the victim, the second assistant director, who just happens to be dating Joey’s ex. With Joey a person of interest, can she figure out what really happened?
Since I love the entertainment industry, this book immediately caught my attention. We get behind the scenes information, sometimes a bit too much, but I did love the Southern California and entertainment settings overall. The plot needed more focus, with the story being driven more by events than Joey’s investigation, which lead us to a climax that was weak on one hand and suspenseful on the other. Several aspects of the plot don’t really get resolved. There is a strong Me Too storyline, and I appreciated that it focused on Joey and her response to it all. Joey and several of main characters came to life for me, and I did like spending time with them. In the end, this one was a mixed bag for me.
Since I love the entertainment industry, this book immediately caught my attention. We get behind the scenes information, sometimes a bit too much, but I did love the Southern California and entertainment settings overall. The plot needed more focus, with the story being driven more by events than Joey’s investigation, which lead us to a climax that was weak on one hand and suspenseful on the other. Several aspects of the plot don’t really get resolved. There is a strong Me Too storyline, and I appreciated that it focused on Joey and her response to it all. Joey and several of main characters came to life for me, and I did like spending time with them. In the end, this one was a mixed bag for me.
Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird
10.0
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Nelson Mandela is about to die. Again. Leftist militants and white nationalists prepare for war...
horror urban fantasy thriller bookbuzz gothic
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Knot of This World in Books
Jan 13, 2024
Is Martha’s Friend Joining a Cult?
Martha Rose’s friend Birdie Watson is back in town with news. She and her new husband are selling everything to join a spiritualist commune in nearby Ojai. Martha is concerned for her friend’s safety, especially when she learns that several people have gone missing. When Martha goes with Birdie and some other mutual friends to check it out, they wind up finding the leader dead. What had Birdie gotten them into?
While spiritualism isn’t new to the series, this is the strongest it’s ever been as an element. That didn’t make me happy, although Martha is as skeptical as I am, which helped. It also helped that the plot is driven by Martha’s investigation, and we got several good twists along the way. While the ending does explain everything for us, I did feel like it was weaker than it could have been. Also weak are some of the supporting players we’ve met along the way who could really use some development. Still, I do like them and love Martha and her fiancé. I enjoyed the Southern California setting as always. Plus there are some quilting tips at the end. I have one more book in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading about Martha’s final case soon.
While spiritualism isn’t new to the series, this is the strongest it’s ever been as an element. That didn’t make me happy, although Martha is as skeptical as I am, which helped. It also helped that the plot is driven by Martha’s investigation, and we got several good twists along the way. While the ending does explain everything for us, I did feel like it was weaker than it could have been. Also weak are some of the supporting players we’ve met along the way who could really use some development. Still, I do like them and love Martha and her fiancé. I enjoyed the Southern California setting as always. Plus there are some quilting tips at the end. I have one more book in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading about Martha’s final case soon.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Nov 28, 2019
Hoo boy. If you are a fan of “whodunit” movies, you are in for a real treat. Rian Johnson directs Knives Out, a film that that brings a great modern twist to the whodunit genre with an amazing all star cast.
Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is an acclaimed mystery murder novelist who has committed suicide on the night of his birthday party. At least it seems so at first. A mysterious entity has hired the last of the southern gentlemen detectives, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), to aid Lieutenant Elliot (LaKeith Stanfield) and Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) in their investigation into what appeared to be a suicide. But soon, the stories of the party-goers starts to crumble, and you see there is something more afoot. Someone killed Mr. Thrombey, but who could it be? The list of suspects is long, and all are close to the deceased in their own way: his daughter, Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis); her husband, Richard Drysdale (Don Johnson); or their son, Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans)? Could it possibly be his son, Walt Thrombey (Michael Shannon); his wife Donna (Riki Lindhome); or their son Jacob (Jaeden Martell). Maybe it was Joni Thrombey (Toni Collette), his widowed daughter-in-law; or her daughter Meg (Katherine Langford). Or it could be Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), Mr. Thrombey’s nurse. It’s a large list of suspects who attended the party that night, and it could be any of them.
I am a huge fan of this genre of movie, and I will say that Knives Out, while predictable at some points, did have me guessing, and second-guessing, all the way to the very end. I can’t really give you a lot more without spoiling some major plot points, but the film is outstanding. It was a little slow to start, but I believe there was a purpose behind this. Each actor playing a part that is not their typical role (for the most part) ended up being the real selling point. They all did fantastic, even though it did take a little getting used to seeing James Bond with a southern accent, and Captain America as a bona fide jackass.
The movie gave us a perfect blend of humor, mystery, and even a little action in order to give us what could be a modern masterpiece in the genre. Flay me all you want if you disagree, but it’s been a while since a really good whodunit has been put out that wasn’t a period piece. There were some flaws, but the movie made you connect to these characters, as zany as they seemed. Definitely a good film to check out on a date night.
Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is an acclaimed mystery murder novelist who has committed suicide on the night of his birthday party. At least it seems so at first. A mysterious entity has hired the last of the southern gentlemen detectives, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), to aid Lieutenant Elliot (LaKeith Stanfield) and Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) in their investigation into what appeared to be a suicide. But soon, the stories of the party-goers starts to crumble, and you see there is something more afoot. Someone killed Mr. Thrombey, but who could it be? The list of suspects is long, and all are close to the deceased in their own way: his daughter, Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis); her husband, Richard Drysdale (Don Johnson); or their son, Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans)? Could it possibly be his son, Walt Thrombey (Michael Shannon); his wife Donna (Riki Lindhome); or their son Jacob (Jaeden Martell). Maybe it was Joni Thrombey (Toni Collette), his widowed daughter-in-law; or her daughter Meg (Katherine Langford). Or it could be Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), Mr. Thrombey’s nurse. It’s a large list of suspects who attended the party that night, and it could be any of them.
I am a huge fan of this genre of movie, and I will say that Knives Out, while predictable at some points, did have me guessing, and second-guessing, all the way to the very end. I can’t really give you a lot more without spoiling some major plot points, but the film is outstanding. It was a little slow to start, but I believe there was a purpose behind this. Each actor playing a part that is not their typical role (for the most part) ended up being the real selling point. They all did fantastic, even though it did take a little getting used to seeing James Bond with a southern accent, and Captain America as a bona fide jackass.
The movie gave us a perfect blend of humor, mystery, and even a little action in order to give us what could be a modern masterpiece in the genre. Flay me all you want if you disagree, but it’s been a while since a really good whodunit has been put out that wasn’t a period piece. There were some flaws, but the movie made you connect to these characters, as zany as they seemed. Definitely a good film to check out on a date night.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) in Movies
May 18, 2019
Onscreen female friendships are the best!
When a friendship between an awkward tomboy and a shy girl blossoms into a thriving southern business in 1930s Alabama, the two young women have much to deal with including racism, domestic violence and even a murder.
Meanwhile, a middle aged woman meets a kindly old lady in a nursing home. The old woman begins to tell the tale of the two girls. The woman is intrigued and keeps coming back for more.
How does it all turn out? Does the girls' friendship endure and persevere?
I remember seeing this film when it was first released in 1991, but didn't revisit until yesterday.
Hot off their Academy Award wins, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are just marvelous and Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson are perfect as the young woman forming their lifelong bond.
Even book author Fannie Flagg makes an appearance during one of the group sessions the middle aged woman attends. They get to talk about their vaginas! (Having never done so myself, I can't see the fascination!)
I think this ranks with Steel Magnolias as one of my favorite this type of film I have seen. Just poignant and one of those "Dramedy" "Happy/Sad" kind of films.
Meanwhile, a middle aged woman meets a kindly old lady in a nursing home. The old woman begins to tell the tale of the two girls. The woman is intrigued and keeps coming back for more.
How does it all turn out? Does the girls' friendship endure and persevere?
I remember seeing this film when it was first released in 1991, but didn't revisit until yesterday.
Hot off their Academy Award wins, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are just marvelous and Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson are perfect as the young woman forming their lifelong bond.
Even book author Fannie Flagg makes an appearance during one of the group sessions the middle aged woman attends. They get to talk about their vaginas! (Having never done so myself, I can't see the fascination!)
I think this ranks with Steel Magnolias as one of my favorite this type of film I have seen. Just poignant and one of those "Dramedy" "Happy/Sad" kind of films.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Rest in Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery #2) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
What a sweet treat! This was my first Georgia Peach mystery, and I really enjoyed it. The story and the setting just ooze southern charm. Nola Mae Harper is working hard to get her Peachy Keen shop ready to open on time when a murder occurs in town, and her best friend is the prime suspect. She knows the safe thing to do is to stay out of police business, but will the sheriff really look any farther with such a convenient suspect at hand? When it seems that she wont, Nola and her group of friends get together to try save Ginnys reputation, the Peach Cotillion, and a romantic relationship or two.
Nola, Hattie, and Ginny are an engaging group of friends with very individual, believable personalities, and there were enough suspects and clues in this mystery to keep me guessing right up to the end.
This is book #2 in the series. While I think it might have been nice to know a little more about Nolas first case, since she refers to it occasionally during the story, you dont need to have read book #1 to enjoy this one.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Nola, Hattie, and Ginny are an engaging group of friends with very individual, believable personalities, and there were enough suspects and clues in this mystery to keep me guessing right up to the end.
This is book #2 in the series. While I think it might have been nice to know a little more about Nolas first case, since she refers to it occasionally during the story, you dont need to have read book #1 to enjoy this one.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Dragonsdawn (Pern: Dragonriders of Pern, #6) in Books
Nov 12, 2019
The first of the Pern novels that fills in the backstory of the main sequence of books, this tells the tale of the first few years of the colonisation of Pern from a delegation from Earth. They find a lush paradise full of interesting plants and animals and spread out across the warm southern continent. And then the Thread starts to fall...
Teased by the end of The White Dragon, this is a full-blown science fiction novel. The various plot points don't just cover the details of the human habitation and the devastating impact of Thread on an unprepared populace, but also provides dramatic tension in the greed of a small number of the colonists in trying to secure what riches there are on the planet.
This is a more-or-less essential read for anyone who enjoys the Pern novels, so much of the way the later society works, and the dragons themselves, are explained. It is not perfect, however. It is a pretty much by-the-numbers story, with a lot of the outcomes already known and some of the sub plots are superfluous and slow some parts down too much. Also the need to namecheck every Weyr and reference from the original novels is a little tiresome - and unnecessary.
Still, a solid entry on the impressive list of novels that does deliver what it promises.
Teased by the end of The White Dragon, this is a full-blown science fiction novel. The various plot points don't just cover the details of the human habitation and the devastating impact of Thread on an unprepared populace, but also provides dramatic tension in the greed of a small number of the colonists in trying to secure what riches there are on the planet.
This is a more-or-less essential read for anyone who enjoys the Pern novels, so much of the way the later society works, and the dragons themselves, are explained. It is not perfect, however. It is a pretty much by-the-numbers story, with a lot of the outcomes already known and some of the sub plots are superfluous and slow some parts down too much. Also the need to namecheck every Weyr and reference from the original novels is a little tiresome - and unnecessary.
Still, a solid entry on the impressive list of novels that does deliver what it promises.
JT (287 KP) rated The Highwaymen (2019) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
The legend of Bonnie and Clyde is cemented in criminal folklore. The murderous couple were idolised by the public for their robin hood style capers. They left a trail of destruction during their crime spree that was eventually ended in a spectacular ambush.
That ambush was orchestrated by former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson), who were coaxed out of retirement by Texas Governor Miriam ‘Ma’ Ferguson (Kathy Bates) as the only ones capable of taking down the two outlaws.
The onscreen chemistry between Costner and Harrelson is great and the grumpy old men regail each other with tales of the past and how things have changed – not always for the better. It is this chemistry which holds the film together.
Their road trip takes them through quiet and sometimes picturesque Southern American landscapes and towns, as they retrace the bloodshed that Bonnie and Clyde leave behind. Bonnie (Emily Brobst) and Clyde (Edward Bossert) are seen but never heard and only glimpsed now and again, this subtle approach leaves the light to shine firmly on the long arm of the law.
The project itself was earmarked for a Paul Newman and Robert Redford pairing, something that I would have love to have seen given their previous work. As it was it fell to the hands of Costner and Harrelson who both do an admirable job.
That ambush was orchestrated by former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson), who were coaxed out of retirement by Texas Governor Miriam ‘Ma’ Ferguson (Kathy Bates) as the only ones capable of taking down the two outlaws.
The onscreen chemistry between Costner and Harrelson is great and the grumpy old men regail each other with tales of the past and how things have changed – not always for the better. It is this chemistry which holds the film together.
Their road trip takes them through quiet and sometimes picturesque Southern American landscapes and towns, as they retrace the bloodshed that Bonnie and Clyde leave behind. Bonnie (Emily Brobst) and Clyde (Edward Bossert) are seen but never heard and only glimpsed now and again, this subtle approach leaves the light to shine firmly on the long arm of the law.
The project itself was earmarked for a Paul Newman and Robert Redford pairing, something that I would have love to have seen given their previous work. As it was it fell to the hands of Costner and Harrelson who both do an admirable job.