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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Spilled Blood in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
SB
Spilled Blood
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I won an ARC of this book from First Reads.
This is the first Brian Freeman book I've ever read. Now that I'm done with it I feel like I've been missing out on a fantastic author! This book was so well written! It had colorful but realistic & well developed characters. The suspense was top notch. The conclusion was fast paced & 1 that I did not see coming in the least. So many books like this turn out to be too predictable. Thankfully this one was not!
Spilled Blood tells the story of Olivia Hawk, a high schooler who is arrested for murdering another high school girl. The evidence points strongly to her, both in the physical evidence from the scene & from the gossip around town. In sweeps her dad, a lawyer, who beings to slowly unravel the mysteries of the crime while struggling with the ever present, "Did she do it?" question. I hate to say much more than that for fear of ruining a fantastic plot!
This book had action, mystery, big companies, cancer, cover-ups, and bombs all covered yet still managed to throw in a good romance without feeling forced. This was an AMAZING read!!
  
The Broken Girls
The Broken Girls
Simone St. James | 2018 | Horror, Thriller
9
8.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story goes back and forth between the past through the eyes of four roommates at Idlewild Hall, a creepy boarding school for outcast girls, and the present through a journalist named Fiona Sheridan. Fiona’s sister was murdered and found in the Idlewild Hall grounds, which had been long abandoned, and something never sat quite right with her. As Idlewild is bought and renovations begin, Fiona is drawn to it by her journalist instincts as well as the prospect of finding out what really happened to her sister.
This was a quick read. I loved the different narratives and learning about each of the Idlewild girls, as well as present-day Fiona and her desire to truly close her sister’s case. There was a big supernatural part that I didn’t expect, but it really worked. There were also some historical aspects that I enjoyed. The suspense and fear were so real in this book and kept me turning page after page because I had to find out what was going on! The stories you learn from all the different perspectives come together quite nicely and all questions are answered in a satisfying ending.
  
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Courtney (25 KP) rated Assassin's Creed (2016) in Movies

Feb 10, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)  
Assassin's Creed (2016)
Assassin's Creed (2016)
2016 | Action
6
5.8 (33 Ratings)
Movie Rating
There's action (2 more)
Has history
Movie adaptation from a game
Can be a bit confusing (2 more)
Not enough suspense
A bit predictable
El español asesino
Contains spoilers, click to show
So... this film is adapted from a game and I did like the whole animus style BUT I prefer the games.
Not saying it's boring because I did end up watching it all just to see what happened next, but not like an exciting feeling to see what's going to happen just to see if my guesses were in fact true.
The logic behind the animus I think was presented as well as it could be.
The actor I think fitted his role well and there was the odd big name in the film.
Even though there was action it still felt like there was a calmness to the film, like there was the same tone of voices throughout the film, hard to explain what I mean.
I think the story could have been explained a bit better than it had been.
It's one of those films eere once you've watched it, you would probably not watch it again for a while maybe a year or so.
  
Another fantastic, captivating, cowboy novella from the talented hands of the wonderful Dana Mentink. She takes suspense and swoon worthy cowboys, a touch of romance and lots of inspiring messages and wraps them up in an unforgettable plot line.

Ms. Mentink’s Ella and Owen are beautifully chiseled into characters that will steal your heart instantly. I loved their story. Watching Owen and Ella come to terms with not only their feelings for each other, but also with who’s behind framing Ella, was an intense ride! I love when a book will do that to you!

This second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series is definitely one that I recommend with a high flying 4 star praise. This book will keep you up late, turning page after page, biting nail after nail, as you fly through the book to get to the last page and see how the story ends. You’ll be dying for more from this talented author! I can’t wait for the next one. Well done, Ms. Mentink!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
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BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated I Let You Go in Books

May 14, 2019  
I Let You Go
I Let You Go
Clare Mackintosh | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cleverly written plot
I had heard so much about this story that I had to see what all the hype was about for myself. Trust me, it did not let me down! This is the new Gone Girl and I would urge you all to read it if you haven’t already. I awarded this story five stars as it is outstanding, well written, easy to read and I was hooked throughout. Yes! I devoured and loved it. This story made me feel many different emotions throughout and is a story I will always remember with a cleverly written plot. Readers will need to prepare themselves for many twists, turns and shocking outcomes ahead! I did not expect the outcome at all until all was revealed and I really was shocked! I cannot wait to read more by Clare Mackintosh if it is going to be as good as this. You will forget the world while reading this, I did. This is the perfect story for you ALL but more specifically for readers who enjoy a brilliant thriller, mystery, crime, suspense, contemporary and bestsellers genre’s. Enjoy, this is a book you will not regret buying!
  
The First Mistake
The First Mistake
Sandie Jones | 2019 | Thriller
7
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
The publisher has sent me this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Betrayed by a husband, ever learned something about a loved one who's gone and felt betrayed? How about a best friend, brother in law, co-worker? This book has it all. We learn about Alice and Beth two best friends in current day. Then we go back and learn about their lives in the 9 or so years before they meet and how intertwined we can be with someone and not even know. We learn how deceptive even those who are closest to us can be if they feel like they've been wronged or cheated by us.

I feel like in the end the last 100 pages or so this book redeemed itself. In saying that the book was enjoyable to read but I felt like the last 100 pages is where the action and the story was really coming together was. If you like suspense this book is definitely worth the read I have to say I kept trying to fit all the pieces together and just couldn't get it quite right.
  
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Kaz (232 KP) rated The Hole in Books

Jun 12, 2019  
The Hole
The Hole
Guy Burt | 1993 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great Writing, Clever Twists and Turns (0 more)
Nothing (0 more)
A Dark and Creepy Read
I'm basing this review on a re-read of this novel. I read this book originally about 7-8 years ago and thought I would re-read it now, to see if or how my opinions changed.

The things that stick out for me with this book, are the description and writing. It's a very well crafted piece of literature, which has realistic and believable characters. This book is not exactly centred on a plot as such, but focuses more on the psychology of the teenagers in the Hole and for that, it does that very well.

The pacing of the novel is really good. The drama and suspense within this novel slowly creeps up on you, as you read through this novel.

On my second reading, I did guess the majority of the twist which happens at the end, so I don't think it had as much impact on me as it did the first time I read this. However, the ending was satisfactory regardless.

If you like a dark read with twists and turns, then I would recommend this novel.
  
This Case Is Gonna Kill Me (Linnet Ellery, #1)
This Case Is Gonna Kill Me (Linnet Ellery, #1)
Phillipa Bornikova | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was an unexpected delight. Lawyers? Meh. Even lawyers with paranormal spice.

But Linnet Ellery is no ordinary lawyer, even for a young lawyer in a White Fang law firm. She has no end of backbone and smarts, not to mention luck - or should I say Luck? Because fortune swirls around her like nobody else, making her a nexus of events and a little too conspicuous for her very discreet employers.

That's not to say that she doesn't make her share of mistakes - that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? She survives and learns from them, then helps others avoid the same.

Living in a world of vampires, werewolves, and Alfar (elves) might be intimidating to most humans, especially when those beings (Powers) are essentially in charge. Linnet doesn't let them intimidate her. She uses her contacts and plays to her strengths, winning more and more significant battles every time she goes to bat.

Bornikova sets things up very nicely for a sequel, and I am personally hungry to read more. I strongly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys paranormals, urban fantasy, or simply good, humorous fiction with a dollop of suspense and a strong heroine.
  
SS
Summer Secrets
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cat is a journalist in London, divorced, and raising her daughter. Earlier, her mother had revealed a secret about Cat's past -- the identity of her true father. When Cat journeyed to Nantucket to meet him - and her two half sisters - something bad happened, and it traumatized her. Now she's a recovering alcoholic and wondering if she can right the wrongs from her long ago meeting with her estranged family.

This was an enjoyable read - the story goes back and forth with flashbacks, which helps build up the suspense. Some of the plot is a little outlandish, but it's a fast read and fun. It's a little painful to read sometimes; Cat can certainly be a frustrating character at times, and you just want to shake her. (Also, I don't recommend reading this if you're triggered by reading alcoholism scenes.) However, present day Cat is a relatable character, for the most part, and fun to root for. Her two half sisters, Julia and Ellie, are pieces of work in themselves, and the book presents a fairly realistic look at modern day family and sisterhood. Overall, probably 3.5 stars.