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A Little Murder for Christmas
This year, Anty Boisjoly is planning to spend Christmas with his aunt Azalea, who is a bit of a recluse. He hasn’t visited her in years, in fact. When Anty arrives, Azalea informs him that she’s just discovered the body of her next-door neighbor, a man she’d begun to be friendly with. The victim is a local war hero, and everyone in the village is upset by the news. Unfortunately, the footprints in the snow make it look like Azalea is the only person who could have realistically killed the man. Oh, and there’s also the fact that he was seen by many people in the pub hours after Azalea claims she found the body. Can Anty figure out what really happened and prove his aunt innocent?

The book doesn’t hesitate, jumping into the murder in the first chapter. I found the pacing to be a little uneven, especially early on. The further I got into the book, the more impossibility we saw, and the more I was engaged. By the end, everything made sense. I also found the suspects a little shallow. I loved the first in the series, so maybe my expectations were too high here. The one thing that was definitely the same as the first book was the dry wit. I laughed so much reading this book. We get some nice Christmas cheer over the course of the book as well. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it for anyone looking for a humorous impossible crime mystery.
  
Sex Robots and Vegan Meat
Sex Robots and Vegan Meat
Jenny Kleeman | 2020 | Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Science & Mathematics
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is divided into four parts: sex robots, vegan meat, out of body birth bags and end of life methods. These are all things in development around the globe to improve (?) people's lives. Each section is a very interesting read. How they are trying to make sex robots more life like; delving into the socio-economical aspects of them going on to the market. I found it very interesting that the majority of vegan meat developments are not about culturing meat from animal cells than using plant based products. It was also interesting that the majority of people working in this industry are vegan and therefore the taste and texture was difficult to test as very few meat eaters were testing. The birthing bag to me seemed like the strangest concept of all four. But I can definitely see the benefits in terms of reducing still births, monitoring development and the ability to have a child even when your body is unable. The strangest concept was definitely the end of life programs. People were planning their deaths and ways of doing it, and not because they were ill but just in case and ready.
The book was really well written and captivating. All concepts were thought-provoking. A really good read for those interested in scientific developments and the future of our society.
  
The Chalk Man
The Chalk Man
C.J. Tudor | 2018 | Thriller
7
7.7 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unnerving thriller with lots of different threads
While elements of this psychological thriller seem far-fetched, there's something ghoulish and almost Stephen King-like in its approach.

Following the narrative of Ed, the teacher recounts his childhood with his friends and the time they found the dismembered body of a young woman. In the meantime, chalk drawings keep appearing, and take a life of their own.

While the ending is startling and worth listening to the finish, at times the back and forth narrative from past to future becomes convoluted and can be hard to keep track, let alone concentrate. A good thriller, but with a lot of loose ends.
  
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.