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Amanda Reicks Watson (1 KP) rated The Woman in the Window in Books
May 15, 2018
A fun page-turner
The protagonist is an alcoholic shut-in who suffers from PTSD. For entertainment, she watches old movies and spies on her neighbors. When she sees the woman next door get murdered, she begins to spiral out of control. Did she really see a murder, or did her medications cause her to hallucinate? Is she losing her mind or is something really wrong in the neighborhood?
Jackson Jones goes from hero to zero when he gets braces. But that's also how he finds out about the super spies operating out of his elementary school. This book is funny and creative while still delivering a credible plot (well, for a spy spoof). Kids of all ages will love it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-nerds-national-espionage.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-nerds-national-espionage.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
JUMPCUT ONLINE (77 KP) rated Anna (2019) in Movies
Jul 9, 2019
Anna is a film that believes it is far smarter than it is and having better execution of all the double-crossing the spies do may have stopped Anna from feeling so repetitive and dull. Model-turned-actress Sasha Luss is serviceable as a model-turned-assassin but unfortunately for her, the film is not serviceable and ends up as messy nonsense.
FULL REVIEW: https://jumpcutonline.co.uk/review-anna-2019/
FULL REVIEW: https://jumpcutonline.co.uk/review-anna-2019/
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Codenames in Tabletop Games
Jun 11, 2019
Spies! Spies everywhere!
Playing Codenames is like a stationary Charades. You need to identify your spy team to your team mate, without revealing too much, and before your enemy can identify their agents.
It's easy enough to look at the 25 cards, can pick a single, blindingly-obvious link to several cards.... but are they the cards you need to identify, and will your team mate understand?
By using single code words, and the amount of cards it refers to, it can be a simple game; however it can also be fiendishly difficult and it great fun.
We have played this a few times, and most of the guesses/clues have been for 2 or 3 cards - so "Engine, 3" could refer to parts of an engine, or items with an engine; however, if might be too a stretch if one of the cards is "STEAM", and there are also "MOTOR", "AUTOMOBILE", and "AIRCRAFT". So do I mean things WITH an engine? Things which move? A steam engine is much older than the others, perhaps it's not that; but STEAM ENGINE fits so well, hut I only have 3 choices...
The best single round was my wife and I - "Treasure 5", for the win. After a few minutes, all 5 had been identified, and we won. But dont tell anyone.... there are spies everywhere
It's easy enough to look at the 25 cards, can pick a single, blindingly-obvious link to several cards.... but are they the cards you need to identify, and will your team mate understand?
By using single code words, and the amount of cards it refers to, it can be a simple game; however it can also be fiendishly difficult and it great fun.
We have played this a few times, and most of the guesses/clues have been for 2 or 3 cards - so "Engine, 3" could refer to parts of an engine, or items with an engine; however, if might be too a stretch if one of the cards is "STEAM", and there are also "MOTOR", "AUTOMOBILE", and "AIRCRAFT". So do I mean things WITH an engine? Things which move? A steam engine is much older than the others, perhaps it's not that; but STEAM ENGINE fits so well, hut I only have 3 choices...
The best single round was my wife and I - "Treasure 5", for the win. After a few minutes, all 5 had been identified, and we won. But dont tell anyone.... there are spies everywhere
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Nazis Next Door: How America Became a Safe Haven for Hitler's Men in Books
Feb 18, 2018
I'm not exactly sure how shocking it is that Nazis fled to the US to escape Europe after WW2. It's more disgusting to me. One of the Nazis named in this book is still trying to file lawsuits to get himself removed.
Basically, this is about Nazis hiding in plain sight, and how they managed to get out of Europe, whether it be with help from the point, or by the US government itself by taking some of them on as spies.
Basically, this is about Nazis hiding in plain sight, and how they managed to get out of Europe, whether it be with help from the point, or by the US government itself by taking some of them on as spies.
Erik Larson recommended Agent Running in the Field in Books (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Alice Network in Books
Oct 5, 2020
Inspired by the real-life Louise de Bettignies (aka Alice DuBois, aka Lili), this novel fictionalizes one of the women behind this famous titular group of spies in German-occupied Europe during the first World War, and brings her back to post-World War II France in search of one missing person, as well as resolutions to questions unanswered for nearly 30 years. Read more about this book in my review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/11/25/unraveling-the-complexes/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated Golden Gate in Books
Apr 19, 2021 (Updated Apr 19, 2021)
The City Spies Cross the Pond
As this book opens, Brooklyn and Sydney, two of the team of City Spies, are on board a ship for a week of marine biology targeted at young women. While they certainly do appreciate the science they are getting, they are really there to covertly guard two of the other teens on the ship. And it’s a good thing, too, when Umbra agents show up trying to kidnap the girls. Meanwhile, there is a new lead on a mole inside MI-6 and a lead in a secret project for Mother, the spy in charge of all the City Spies. Might it tie into the kidnapping?
Last year, I fell in love with these characters with the first book in the series, and I’m delighted to say that this book was just as good as the first one. The story kept me engaged the entire way, and there were times I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. While all of the characters get their moments to shine, this is really Sydney’s book since she sees the most growth. One thing I love is how much the characters care for each other, so we see them working through conflicts they have. I might have even teared up a time or two as I read. We also get plenty of laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed the scenes in San Francisco since I recognized so many of the places they went. Kids will love this book. I know I’m already anxious to find out what happens next.
Last year, I fell in love with these characters with the first book in the series, and I’m delighted to say that this book was just as good as the first one. The story kept me engaged the entire way, and there were times I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. While all of the characters get their moments to shine, this is really Sydney’s book since she sees the most growth. One thing I love is how much the characters care for each other, so we see them working through conflicts they have. I might have even teared up a time or two as I read. We also get plenty of laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed the scenes in San Francisco since I recognized so many of the places they went. Kids will love this book. I know I’m already anxious to find out what happens next.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated The Turncoat's Widow in Books
Jan 20, 2022
Spies and Mystery During the Revolutionary War
It’s been six months since Rebecca Parcell lost her husband on a British prison ship, and the rumors in town that she is the one who turned him in to the British are only growing stronger. So when she gets an offer from General Washington, she is quick to listen. It seems that her husband was spying for whoever would pay him the most money, and Washington wants to know about his network, including the British spies he was going to identify. In order to help Washington, Rebecca travels to New York City with Daniel Alloway, a man she barely knows but who was on the ship with her late husband. Will they be able to find the network of spies in time to stop a plot?
This is definitely a shade darker than the cozies I typically read, but it is only just a shade darker. I was delighted to find a mystery set during the Revolutionary War, and the book does a great job of bringing that time period to life. The plot starts out well and only gets stronger as it goes. By the end, I was racing to find out what would happen next. I did find the romance between Rebecca and Daniel to be the weak point of the book, but that was minor. The characters, real and fictional, are strong, and using both Rebecca and Daniel to tell the story is a real asset. I’m glad I found this series, and I can’t wait to find out where the characters go next.
This is definitely a shade darker than the cozies I typically read, but it is only just a shade darker. I was delighted to find a mystery set during the Revolutionary War, and the book does a great job of bringing that time period to life. The plot starts out well and only gets stronger as it goes. By the end, I was racing to find out what would happen next. I did find the romance between Rebecca and Daniel to be the weak point of the book, but that was minor. The characters, real and fictional, are strong, and using both Rebecca and Daniel to tell the story is a real asset. I’m glad I found this series, and I can’t wait to find out where the characters go next.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Spies Like Us (1985) in Movies
Jun 7, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2018)
Classic Chase and Aykroyd
The classic pairing of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd was the best part of this film. Their chemistry takes this silly premise and story to hilarious levels as they try and survive oversees as unlikely spies going up against the Russians.
The travails they have to ensure at the beginning of them film are the film's best moments. Some of the second half of the film fall a little flat, but still enough to have your laughing throughout.
The travails they have to ensure at the beginning of them film are the film's best moments. Some of the second half of the film fall a little flat, but still enough to have your laughing throughout.