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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2496 KP) rated Here Today, Gone Tamale (A Taste of Texas Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Josie Callahan is back working at her family’s Tex Mex restaurant while she figures out what is next in her life. She’s just in time for the Wild Wild West Festival that brings in the tourists to the small town of Broken Boot. But the tamale making party at the restaurant ends in tragedy when a local artist is found murdered behind the restaurant. Who would want to kill her?
It took me a little while to fully get into this book. There were a bunch of characters early on, and I struggled to keep them all straight. Likewise, the mystery got off to a slow start. But as I kept reading, I grew to like the characters and really got into the story. The ending was surprising and suspenseful. I can easily see this growing into a charming series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-here-today-gone-tamale-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It took me a little while to fully get into this book. There were a bunch of characters early on, and I struggled to keep them all straight. Likewise, the mystery got off to a slow start. But as I kept reading, I grew to like the characters and really got into the story. The ending was surprising and suspenseful. I can easily see this growing into a charming series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-here-today-gone-tamale-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Bird Eater in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I honestly wasn't looking to pick up another horror novel so soon after the last one, but seeing the glowing write-up on Amazon I couldn't resist. I have to agree with their editor and say it was pretty damn scary. The novel uses many familiar horror tropes in a story about a man returning to his possibly haunted childhood home after having had a rather traumatic experience. Is he seeing ghosts or is his grief making him insane? Not exactly a new idea, but it is executed very well, with engaging characters and frequently suspenseful scenarios. What sells the whole thing the most for me is the genuinely frightening "ghost". I can honestly say that for 2 consecutive nights, when I got out of bed to use the restroom, I was suddenly filled with trepidation about venturing into the dark hallway for fear it might be lurking in the shadows. And if that's not the sign of a successful horror story, then I don't know what is.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Dead Lands in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.
TheDefunctDiva (304 KP) rated The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) in Movies
Jul 23, 2018
Lawyer Jokes Optional
William H. Macy is one of the most underrated actors in film history. And he's in this one! And then there are the Oscar winners Marisa Tomei and Matthew McCounaghey. But who cares about them? Just kidding. Every member of the all-star cast bring this slightly predictable tale to life.
Mick Haller is a slick lawyer. He's always quick with a quip and knows which palms to grease. When he comes to represent rich-kid Louis Roulet, it seems he is in for a sweet payday. Cha-ching! Anyhow, the case becomes more complicated than he originally anticipated. This movie becomes dark and suspenseful quite quickly after that.
I would say more, but I want to avoid spoilers. I was pleased to see John Leguizamo and Michael Pena in supporting roles as well. My mom liked it and my mom doesn't like just any movie. As she advised me, pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy.
Mick Haller is a slick lawyer. He's always quick with a quip and knows which palms to grease. When he comes to represent rich-kid Louis Roulet, it seems he is in for a sweet payday. Cha-ching! Anyhow, the case becomes more complicated than he originally anticipated. This movie becomes dark and suspenseful quite quickly after that.
I would say more, but I want to avoid spoilers. I was pleased to see John Leguizamo and Michael Pena in supporting roles as well. My mom liked it and my mom doesn't like just any movie. As she advised me, pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy.
Merissa (13810 KP) rated Midnight Sacrifice (Midnight, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I got this book on 26th May 2014 as part of the Kindle Daily Deal.
This is the second book in Melinda Leigh's Midnight series and it's just as good as the first one. She continues to write a story that is gripping and suspenseful and is full of interesting twists, red herrings and snippets of history that tantalise as the story takes you to the woods of Maine. We reunite with the characters that we met in book 1 and stay with them as the story moves on. By this point, we definitely know who the bad guy is but who is his assistant and what are their motives?
This book has every emotion packed into it and I confess that I needed to get the dust out of my eyes towards the end but I shall say no more about that.
Although this is part of a series, it can also be read as a standalone however I would recommend that you read Midnight Exposure first, simply because it is just an excellent start to the series.
This is the second book in Melinda Leigh's Midnight series and it's just as good as the first one. She continues to write a story that is gripping and suspenseful and is full of interesting twists, red herrings and snippets of history that tantalise as the story takes you to the woods of Maine. We reunite with the characters that we met in book 1 and stay with them as the story moves on. By this point, we definitely know who the bad guy is but who is his assistant and what are their motives?
This book has every emotion packed into it and I confess that I needed to get the dust out of my eyes towards the end but I shall say no more about that.
Although this is part of a series, it can also be read as a standalone however I would recommend that you read Midnight Exposure first, simply because it is just an excellent start to the series.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Coal House in Books
Nov 11, 2019
Set just after the Second World War this follows the story of Finn Harper who decides to turn to property development with his wife. When they are on holiday in Wales they see a house for auction which seems to be a bargain. When the locals won't bid on it they decide to buy the remote and long-deserted house.
So begins Coal House, a suspenseful ghost story that slowly builds to a shattering ending with a chilling twist. Any ghost story turns on the ability of the author to conjure up locations and events that seem both ordinary and strange at the same time and Barton does this with ease, able to raise goosebumps with a few simple words.
The story is clever and interesting with several layers and with characters to match. Finn is initially a skeptic but as strange events happen in and around the house he must consider if they are real or just his imagination.
This is not a long book but does pack a lot into its pages. An excellent read
So begins Coal House, a suspenseful ghost story that slowly builds to a shattering ending with a chilling twist. Any ghost story turns on the ability of the author to conjure up locations and events that seem both ordinary and strange at the same time and Barton does this with ease, able to raise goosebumps with a few simple words.
The story is clever and interesting with several layers and with characters to match. Finn is initially a skeptic but as strange events happen in and around the house he must consider if they are real or just his imagination.
This is not a long book but does pack a lot into its pages. An excellent read
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Friday the 13th (1980) in Movies
Dec 13, 2019 (Updated Dec 14, 2019)
Sleepaway Camp 1980
Since its Friday the 13th today, im going to review the oringal Friday the 13th film. The one that started it all. The one that started the franchise. This one started teenagers being teenagers. The one without Jason as the villian, wait what? I think everyone knows by now that Jason is not the villian in this one and its Jason's Mom, so i dont think thats a spoil, because most to everyone knows that by now.
The Plot: Crystal Lake's history of murder doesn't deter counselors from setting up a summer camp in the woodsy area. Superstitious locals warn against it, but the fresh-faced young people -- Jack (Kevin Bacon), Alice (Adrienne King), Bill (Harry Crosby), Marcie (Jeannine Taylor) and Ned (Mark Nelson) -- pay little heed to the old-timers. Then they find themselves stalked by a brutal killer. As they're slashed, shot and stabbed, the counselors struggle to stay alive against a merciless opponent.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, terrorfying, love the kills in this one and overall a fantastic phenomenal classic movie.
The Plot: Crystal Lake's history of murder doesn't deter counselors from setting up a summer camp in the woodsy area. Superstitious locals warn against it, but the fresh-faced young people -- Jack (Kevin Bacon), Alice (Adrienne King), Bill (Harry Crosby), Marcie (Jeannine Taylor) and Ned (Mark Nelson) -- pay little heed to the old-timers. Then they find themselves stalked by a brutal killer. As they're slashed, shot and stabbed, the counselors struggle to stay alive against a merciless opponent.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, terrorfying, love the kills in this one and overall a fantastic phenomenal classic movie.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Only Good Indians in Books
Mar 25, 2020 (Updated Mar 25, 2020)
A well written and superbly crafted horror story
The Only Good Indians is a well written and superbly crafted horror story which takes place in the northwestern US and has characters from the Blackfeet and Crow tribes. Four young Blackfeet men embark on a badly planned and illegal elk hunt which results in a violation of tribal values and the desecration of nature. Ten years later, an entity exacts her revenge in a chilling, suspenseful and brutal fashion. The characters are incredibly well developed given the length of the novel, and the reader develops sympathy for them. The reader also empathizes with the perspective of the entity who pursues the four men. This story has great depth in its exploration of themes of cultural identity, tradition, social justice, revenge and respect for the natural world. Horror readers will love this, but I would also recommend this book for readers of fiction in general. I can see why this The Only Good Indians is receiving so much critical acclaim.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Valkyrie (2008) in Movies
Apr 13, 2020
Suspense and thrilling
Valkyrie- is a good movie. Its a good suspense, thriller thats based on a true story.
The plot: Col. Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) serves Germany with loyalty and pride but fears that Hitler will destroy his country if allowed to run unchecked. With time running out for Germany and the rest of Europe, von Stauffenberg joins a group of like-minded, high-ranking men who want to overthrow the Nazi regime from within. With everything he holds dear in the balance, von Stauffenberg becomes the trigger man in a plot to assassinate the evil dictator.
One eye patched tom cruise is a plus. It makes him more intense. Reminds me of Snake Plissken.
So i watched the trailer, and the music their were playing was the "Saw Theme", which was intresting. Cause i love that theme song, its so intense and makes things 10x more intense and intresting. Thats why i watched this film, because that theme song made the movie look really intresting and intense. Which it was. It was suspenseful and thrilling till the end.
The plot: Col. Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) serves Germany with loyalty and pride but fears that Hitler will destroy his country if allowed to run unchecked. With time running out for Germany and the rest of Europe, von Stauffenberg joins a group of like-minded, high-ranking men who want to overthrow the Nazi regime from within. With everything he holds dear in the balance, von Stauffenberg becomes the trigger man in a plot to assassinate the evil dictator.
One eye patched tom cruise is a plus. It makes him more intense. Reminds me of Snake Plissken.
So i watched the trailer, and the music their were playing was the "Saw Theme", which was intresting. Cause i love that theme song, its so intense and makes things 10x more intense and intresting. Thats why i watched this film, because that theme song made the movie look really intresting and intense. Which it was. It was suspenseful and thrilling till the end.
The Patriot: The Stunning True Story of Aaron Hernandez
James Patterson and Alex Abramovich
7.0
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The world's most popular thriller writer presents the definitive, never before told account of the...
biography crime true crime sport