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Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer
2021 | Crime, Documentary, Mystery
And finally, the most recent addition, from January this year, another 4 parter that is over and done in 3 hours, which plays like a long movie when watched as intended in one sitting. The case of the Night Stalker is another well documented case most people will have at least heard of. If, like me, you knew nothing of the crimes, motives and man behind it up front, then this is a jaw dropping addition to the genre that serves as a slice of history that has a strong sense of place and time, and how a community could be terrorised over a period knowing a killer was at large in their neighbourhood.

The point of difference here is mostly hearing the case explained from the direct point of view of the detectives at the centre of the manhunt. It seems that a killer so indiscriminate in choosing his victims, and so random in how he killed them, is very difficult to catch. With no distinct modus operandi – it seemed like a real demon was on the loose, satisfying his dark needs on a whim. An excruciating thought! And the truth of the man behind it is even more disturbing in reality. As with Bundy, this one is compelling because of the cult of personality and media involvement. Almost a little short if anything, but probably the main model for dozens more shows like it in coming years. 4 x 45 mins, the perfect binge package.
  
Changed (The Made Ones Saga #2)
Changed (The Made Ones Saga #2)
Vicki Stiefel | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
loving this series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in The Made Ones Saga, and you really should read book one, Altered, before this one. It does overlap/intertwine some with this one, and you need to hear from Kit at points along the way where it does.

Bree is Kit's sister. She has awakened on Eleutia, and finds herself at Catamount. Gato is Alpha Cat. These two butt heads a lot here, especially in the beginning but Gato soon becomes wise to Bree and her antics.

We catch up with Kit and Rafe, and what their scientists have discovered, and some more information about why Eleutia is dying, and more importantly, HOW comes to light. Still can't quite see where THAT's all going though!

Gato and Bree are perfect for each other, they really are, especially as Bree bonds with the cubs, which is unheard of for a non-cat. I loved that it took time for them to come together, to fully form their friendship, before they jump into bed with each other.

Gato does something here, which wasn't ideal, but all parties were in agreement and I'm intrigued as to how Kes manages to get free, hoping we find in the next book!

We discover what has happened to the third sister, Sybi, and how she comes to be in the land of the CastOuts. And her story begins right at the end of this one.

It's been a while since I read the first book (Aug 2019) so it took me a little bit of time to catch up with who all the major players were, and what was going on, but not long, and I thoroughly enjoyed Bree and Gato's story.

Wonderful series so far, I can't wait for Sybi's book!

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Plot and the Pendulum
The Plot and the Pendulum
Jenn McKinlay | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Cold Case Become Very Hot Again
It’s October in Briar Creek, and local gossip is stirring thanks to the return to town of William Dorchester whose ex-girlfriend vanished a few weeks after marrying someone else. But Lindsey Norris, director of the local library, is more interested in the books that he is donating to the library. The catch is, she needs to pack them up from the Dorchester mansion on the edge of town, a mansion that seems to be trying to creep Lindsey and her friends out even before they make a shocking discovery. Can Lindsey figure out what is going on?

This book is perfect for its October release day. It’s got a spooky edge to it, but fans of the series don’t need to worry, we still have plenty of laughs and fun with the characters we know. I appreciate how the large cast is balanced with some of them given more page time, but everyone making an appearance. The pacing of the plot was a bit uneven, with a bit too much set up leading to an abrupt climax. Still, along the way, we get some fun surprises and suspects. As always, we get some good extras for a book club meeting like Lindsey hosts at the library. If you are looking for a slightly spooky book filled with fun, be sure to pick this one up.
  
TS
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you're looking for a light, fluffy, nerdy contemporary romance then this is the book for you. It's the perfect book if you have a book hangover or just to get your mind off of things.

After being embarrassed in the 6th grade, our main character decides to hide the fact that she likes comic books. Instead, she puts her effort into becoming popular and a cheerleader. Although she still reads comics, she buys them digitally and only reads them in the secrecy of her room so that no one will catch her. That all changes one day when the final issue of one of her favourite comics is printed... only in paper and her issue is back-ordered for weeks. Maddie must go to the local comic store to buy the issue in person and risk being seen by someone she knows.

This book follows Maddie on her journey of acceptance, being true to who she is, and learning how to treat others. I personally related to Logan, the boy who works in the comic book shop, a lot more than I did to Maddie. As a proud nerd, I don't have a problem telling people that I like video games, comic books, roleplays, cons, sci-fi, etc. If your friends don't accept you for who you truly are, then they aren't your true friends. At times, the way that Maddie treated the people in her life was pretty bad and she tended to be incredibly selfish so I couldn't connect to her as much, but I could completely see how others might if they've faced the same fear of being open about a certain aspect of themselves.

Overall, this cute, fluffy book was the perfect read between my two series binges. I consider contemporaries to be great palate cleansers that help you easily transition between a world-building heavy high-fantasy and your next read, get over a book hangover, or just refresh your reading if you're in a book slump.
  
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Merissa (12051 KP) rated Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3) in Books

May 17, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)  
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Katherine McIntyre | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
INTELLIGENCE CHECK is the third book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and it's time for Mase and Hunter. I was 'slightly' excited at the thought of this book and, let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Mase is a perfect little ray of sunshine... on the outside. Inside, he is dealing with the loss of his twin sister, all the feelings that encompasses, plus normal things like trying to finish school and pay all his bills. Hunter, on the other hand, keeps himself to himself. He doesn't ask much of anyone, knowing all too well the feeling of being let down.

These two! Oh, my days. I love them so much. Two perfect-for-each-other puzzle pieces that slot together with ease. Well, not too much ease, because there's the whole 'issues from the past' to contend with, but you get my meaning. They do have their issues to deal with but they do the mature thing, in that they give each other space when needed, no matter how painful it may be, and communicate with each other.

It's a slow-burn romance in that Hunter isn't prepared to take advantage of Mason when he's drunk. Mason thinks he's been rejected by Hunter, and then Hunter thinks the same when Mason doesn't mention it again. Remember I said they communicated? Yeah, well, maybe not so much to begin with! 😆

This was a fantastic addition to the series that also let me catch up with Roxie and Mel, plus Cal and Julian. Now, I just need to know what's going on with Kelly! A brilliant book that I have no hesitation in highly recommending!!!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 12, 2022