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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Luckiest Girl Alive in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Ani FaNelli is engaged to a wealthy man, has a great job, and is finally about to lead the life she's always wanted. But Ani is hiding a secretive past - as a teen, she endured a traumatic event and she's kept her secrets hidden ever since. Now, as she's about to get married, Ani is struggling to contain her past and lead the life she's always wanted.
This was an interesting book - Ani is truly a despicable character in many ways, though as her past unfolds, you start to learn more about what has made Ani who she is. Her finance and her school-hood friends aren't much better. Perhaps the best thing about this book is Knoll's ability to eventually make Ani sympathetic, despite many of her faults. She's a complicated and multi-faceted character, which is a refreshing change from many novels.
The novel is suspenseful for sure, but because it was so consistently billed as the next "Gone Girl," I kept waiting for an even bigger twist, which was a bit of a letdown. I probably would have enjoyed the novel even more if I didn't have all these comparisons swirling in my head. In the end, it was a good read and certainly a fast one, but doesn't necessarily live up to its billing.
This was an interesting book - Ani is truly a despicable character in many ways, though as her past unfolds, you start to learn more about what has made Ani who she is. Her finance and her school-hood friends aren't much better. Perhaps the best thing about this book is Knoll's ability to eventually make Ani sympathetic, despite many of her faults. She's a complicated and multi-faceted character, which is a refreshing change from many novels.
The novel is suspenseful for sure, but because it was so consistently billed as the next "Gone Girl," I kept waiting for an even bigger twist, which was a bit of a letdown. I probably would have enjoyed the novel even more if I didn't have all these comparisons swirling in my head. In the end, it was a good read and certainly a fast one, but doesn't necessarily live up to its billing.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2496 KP) rated War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The local election for mayor is all anyone is talking about in Cays Mill, Georgia, and Nola Mae Harper has become caught in the middle. Just an hour before the last debate is to take place, a fire breaks out in Clem Rogers’s barn, and his body is found in the ruins. Since he had some dirt on his opponent in the race he was going to share at the debate, the people in town are certain his opponent did it. The sheriff has another theory, Nola Mae’s father, who has admitted to visiting the victim just before the fire broke out. Nola Mae doesn’t think either of those suspects could have done it. But can she find out the truth?
If you are tired of politics, don’t let the election angle worry you. That is only one aspect of this fun mystery. In fact, we get some delightful red herrings before Nola Mae zeroes in on the truth in the suspenseful climax. The characters are charming as always, and we get to see more growth in Nola Mae. Plus there is lots of talk about peaches. How can you go wrong with that?
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-war-and-peach-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
If you are tired of politics, don’t let the election angle worry you. That is only one aspect of this fun mystery. In fact, we get some delightful red herrings before Nola Mae zeroes in on the truth in the suspenseful climax. The characters are charming as always, and we get to see more growth in Nola Mae. Plus there is lots of talk about peaches. How can you go wrong with that?
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-war-and-peach-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (13810 KP) rated A 3rd Time to Die in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Do you believe in past lives? After reading this book you might be convinced! This is a book full of connections between the main characters and other connections that you find out about as you read through. The concept of connected souls is an old one but this story gives it a whole new twist and it was a pleasure to read. It is suspenseful, not giving away secrets until exactly the right time, and also with the right mix of romance, 'normal' life and paranormal activity.
The characters in the book, whether they are main ones or supporting characters, all have immense depth to them. Mr Bernstein has managed to give each character their own personal traits and flaws whilst also drawing parallels not only with each other but with past lives too. This is an incredible feat of writing that will draw you in and not let go until you have finished the story.
The climax to the story is everything that it should be. It fills in any holes that have been left as the story unfolded while giving you a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
Highly Recommended for all readers of the Paranormal and Suspense genres.
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/03/a-3rd-time-to-die-by-george-bernstein.html
Do you believe in past lives? After reading this book you might be convinced! This is a book full of connections between the main characters and other connections that you find out about as you read through. The concept of connected souls is an old one but this story gives it a whole new twist and it was a pleasure to read. It is suspenseful, not giving away secrets until exactly the right time, and also with the right mix of romance, 'normal' life and paranormal activity.
The characters in the book, whether they are main ones or supporting characters, all have immense depth to them. Mr Bernstein has managed to give each character their own personal traits and flaws whilst also drawing parallels not only with each other but with past lives too. This is an incredible feat of writing that will draw you in and not let go until you have finished the story.
The climax to the story is everything that it should be. It fills in any holes that have been left as the story unfolded while giving you a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
Highly Recommended for all readers of the Paranormal and Suspense genres.
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/03/a-3rd-time-to-die-by-george-bernstein.html
Anne (15130 KP) rated Warcross in Books
Nov 4, 2019
I’m not sure how to review this without spoilers everywhere!!!
This is not what I expected not completely anyway. I can see how you could start the story the way it started and end that way but it still caught me off guard the same.
Now I understand why some people recommend this if you like Ready Player One, but also say it’s completely different because it very much is.
This starts out as fun and games but turns into something much more than that and I can see a lot of parallels to real life here and some of it makes me a little nervous too.
I’m hoping this isn’t too spoilery of a thing to say but this to me was like a fun gamer story turned into big brother is watching you instead. What was once fun and games turns into real life and hidden dangers there with technology kind of idea.
It’s very intense, stressful and a suspenseful fast paced read once you get started.
I would say it’s worth at least checking it out and then you can decide if it’s worth finishing and your kind of story.
I’m still reeling a bit from having barely finished it, but I’m planning to check out the next book to see how the story continues to unfold.
This is not what I expected not completely anyway. I can see how you could start the story the way it started and end that way but it still caught me off guard the same.
Now I understand why some people recommend this if you like Ready Player One, but also say it’s completely different because it very much is.
This starts out as fun and games but turns into something much more than that and I can see a lot of parallels to real life here and some of it makes me a little nervous too.
I’m hoping this isn’t too spoilery of a thing to say but this to me was like a fun gamer story turned into big brother is watching you instead. What was once fun and games turns into real life and hidden dangers there with technology kind of idea.
It’s very intense, stressful and a suspenseful fast paced read once you get started.
I would say it’s worth at least checking it out and then you can decide if it’s worth finishing and your kind of story.
I’m still reeling a bit from having barely finished it, but I’m planning to check out the next book to see how the story continues to unfold.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2496 KP) rated Lost Hills in Books
Mar 10, 2020
Eve’s First Big Case
Thanks to a well-time viral video, Eve Ronin has become the youngest person promoted to the homicide department of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Her new co-workers aren’t treating her with a lot of respect, so she knows she has to prove herself. That chance comes when she and her partner, Duncan Pavone, are called to the scene of a crime in Calabasas. A friend has called to report that Tanya Kenworth never showed up for work. The house where Tanya lives is covered in blood in every room, but there are no bodies. What could have happened to her?
Just as I expected, this book grabbed me from the first page and never let me go. There were plenty of clues and twists to keep me engaged until I reached the suspenseful climax. I did feel that Eve and her co-workers fell into genre clichés, but there are hints of more to them, and I hope we see that explored as the series progresses. This book describes the aftermath of the crime and has more language than the cozies I typically read, but I expected that going in, and it never got too excessive. There are some nice bits of humor to help lighten what is a mostly series story. I’m already looking forward to Eve’s next story.
Just as I expected, this book grabbed me from the first page and never let me go. There were plenty of clues and twists to keep me engaged until I reached the suspenseful climax. I did feel that Eve and her co-workers fell into genre clichés, but there are hints of more to them, and I hope we see that explored as the series progresses. This book describes the aftermath of the crime and has more language than the cozies I typically read, but I expected that going in, and it never got too excessive. There are some nice bits of humor to help lighten what is a mostly series story. I’m already looking forward to Eve’s next story.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2496 KP) rated Murder at the Mena House in Books
Apr 2, 2020
Deadly Trip to Egypt
Jane Wunderfly, a war widow, is accompanying her aunt Millie on a trip to Egypt in 1926. She has always dreamed to seeing the Great Pyramids, so this trip is a dream come true. The only hiccup might be her aunt’s not so subtle attempts at matchmaking. That is, until she has some run ins with Anna Stainton, a beautiful socialite who has decided Jane is a rival. When Jane finds Anna’s dead body, the local police think Jane has a good motive for murder. Reluctantly teaming up with the mysterious Mr. Redvers, Jane begins to hunt for the real killer. Can she figure out what happened?
This book is fun, and it captured me from the first couple of sentences. Jane, Redvers, and the rest are a delight to spend time around. I definitely laughed at some of Jane and Redvers’s scenes together. Yet the characters do have layers, and I enjoyed seeing those emerge as the book progressed. I was having so much fun, it took me a while to see the plot was a little weak. While there are clues and twists, it felt like we could have used a few more of them. Still, the writing kept the pages turning, and the climax was suspenseful. I enjoyed this debut, and I’m very curious to find out where Jane goes next.
This book is fun, and it captured me from the first couple of sentences. Jane, Redvers, and the rest are a delight to spend time around. I definitely laughed at some of Jane and Redvers’s scenes together. Yet the characters do have layers, and I enjoyed seeing those emerge as the book progressed. I was having so much fun, it took me a while to see the plot was a little weak. While there are clues and twists, it felt like we could have used a few more of them. Still, the writing kept the pages turning, and the climax was suspenseful. I enjoyed this debut, and I’m very curious to find out where Jane goes next.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Perfection (2019) in Movies
Apr 30, 2020
Better than expected
I feel like this film has been on my To Watch list since forever, and it's only taken a lockdown for me to finally get around to watching it. And it turned out much better than I expected.
This is a rather unusual film, it starts off feeling rather sinister and arty and then seems to rush through a variety of genres including romance, horror and suspenseful thriller. I'm a little undecided at how good an idea this was, but I was decently entertained for the most part. The plot starts off well, and whilst it may have been a tad predictable it was still enjoyable until the final few scenes. Sadly I feel like the final scenes and how the story got wrapped up went a little too bizarre and ridiculous. The very final scene almost had me in hysterics at how downright stupid it was. There was also a story telling mechanism used in this a couple of times that I think was trying to be retro but instead seemed a little silly and outdated, and entirely unnecessary.
Despite the negatives, this surprisingly kept my attention and wasn't as bad as I'd thought. There was a decent amount of gore that made me cringe in delighted horror and the short run time helps to make it a lot more enjoyable.
This is a rather unusual film, it starts off feeling rather sinister and arty and then seems to rush through a variety of genres including romance, horror and suspenseful thriller. I'm a little undecided at how good an idea this was, but I was decently entertained for the most part. The plot starts off well, and whilst it may have been a tad predictable it was still enjoyable until the final few scenes. Sadly I feel like the final scenes and how the story got wrapped up went a little too bizarre and ridiculous. The very final scene almost had me in hysterics at how downright stupid it was. There was also a story telling mechanism used in this a couple of times that I think was trying to be retro but instead seemed a little silly and outdated, and entirely unnecessary.
Despite the negatives, this surprisingly kept my attention and wasn't as bad as I'd thought. There was a decent amount of gore that made me cringe in delighted horror and the short run time helps to make it a lot more enjoyable.
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