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At the End of The Summer
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Joshua’s life as a rock guitarist seems like a dream come true. Sold out concerts, red carpet...
Merissa (13961 KP) rated The Best New True Crime Stories: Crimes of Passion, Obsession & Revenge in Books
Dec 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)
THE BEST NEW TRUE CRIME STORIES: CRIMES OF PASSION, OBSESSION & REVENGE is an eclectic mix of stories from all over the world, set in different times, from Victorian England to Japan, to modern-day America.
If you like True Crime then I am sure you will find something to keep your interest. It is clear from the start that a lot of research has gone into these stories, some of which have personal memories from the author. However, some of the stories felt disjointed in the way they were presented, going off on tangents that didn't seem relevant to the story at that point.
Each story features the bare bones of the story; being a collection, there simply isn't room for much more. However, it gives you the story, some build-up, and some information after the crime.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author.
** 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!
Dec 13, 2021
If you like True Crime then I am sure you will find something to keep your interest. It is clear from the start that a lot of research has gone into these stories, some of which have personal memories from the author. However, some of the stories felt disjointed in the way they were presented, going off on tangents that didn't seem relevant to the story at that point.
Each story features the bare bones of the story; being a collection, there simply isn't room for much more. However, it gives you the story, some build-up, and some information after the crime.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author.
** 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!
Dec 13, 2021
ClareR (6182 KP) rated Hunger and Thirst in Books
Apr 6, 2026
It’s no lie when I say that Claire Fuller is a writing chameleon - every book I’ve read has been a different genre. I’ve loved them all, as well.
Ursula has been in the care system, moving from one foster home and children’s home to another since she was 8 years old. We meet her as she starts her independent life in a halfway house, and a new job in an art school post room. She moves from the halfway house to a squat with a work colleague, and this is where it starts to get really uncomfortable. There’s a really menacing air to The Underwood, and that, along with Ursula’s traumatic childhood, really ramps up the tension.
In the present day, a documentary maker uncovers what she believes is the truth about that summer, and the adult Ursula, known as Uschi, realises that the past can never stay hidden.
I love a slow burn, and it really added to the menace and tension. There were some seriously scary elements, made worse by the fact that you never really see what you’re scared of (my favourite!). The contrast of Ursula’s friends home and The Underwood exacerbated the looming threat.
Ursula has been in the care system, moving from one foster home and children’s home to another since she was 8 years old. We meet her as she starts her independent life in a halfway house, and a new job in an art school post room. She moves from the halfway house to a squat with a work colleague, and this is where it starts to get really uncomfortable. There’s a really menacing air to The Underwood, and that, along with Ursula’s traumatic childhood, really ramps up the tension.
In the present day, a documentary maker uncovers what she believes is the truth about that summer, and the adult Ursula, known as Uschi, realises that the past can never stay hidden.
I love a slow burn, and it really added to the menace and tension. There were some seriously scary elements, made worse by the fact that you never really see what you’re scared of (my favourite!). The contrast of Ursula’s friends home and The Underwood exacerbated the looming threat.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Hangover (2009) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
The road trip gone awry has been a staple of Hollywood comedies for years. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope provided tons of laughs with their “Road To” films which have continued with films ranging from “Road Trip” to the Chevy Chase “Vacation” film series. In the new movie “The Hangover”, Director Todd Phillips follows upon his many successes which include “Old School”, and “Starsky and Hutch” to create one of the funniest films in recent memory.
When Doug (Justin Bartha) is about to be married, his friends Stu (Ed Helms) and Phil (Bradley Cooper) decide to give Doug a bachelor party. With his eccentric future brother-in-law Alan (Zach Galifinakis) in tow, the guys hit the town for a night to remember. Or maybe not.
After a rooftop toast overlooking the scenic Las Vegas strip, Stu, Phil, and Alan awaken to find their lavish suite at Ceasar’s Palace destroyed and everything from a tiger to a chicken sharing their room. Henpecked Stu panics, having told his girlfriend they were going to wine country and is at a loss to explain the state of the room as well as his missing tooth. With all three men nursing a severe hangover and Doug nowhere to be found, things take a turn for the worse when a baby is discovered in the closet of their suite. Desperate to get to the bottom of the previous night and locate Doug, the guys try to piece together their lost night.
As the plot unfolds, the guys go from a wedding chapel to a hospital and police station, and trying to stay ahead of new threats and complications that arise. With Doug’s wedding looming in a few hours, the group takes extreme measures to find their friend and get him to the alter on time.
What follows is a hysterical and highly enjoyable comedy that rarely lets up long enough for you to stop laughing before unleashing even more comedy. The ensemble cast is strong and have great camaraderie and chemistry. The film loses some momentum in the final act but rebounds nicely with the final segments. Make sure you stay for the credits for some hysterical stuff and some great celebrity cameos. While some may find the humor crude and sophomoric, if you are not easily offended, you will laugh loud and often at this comedic delight.
When Doug (Justin Bartha) is about to be married, his friends Stu (Ed Helms) and Phil (Bradley Cooper) decide to give Doug a bachelor party. With his eccentric future brother-in-law Alan (Zach Galifinakis) in tow, the guys hit the town for a night to remember. Or maybe not.
After a rooftop toast overlooking the scenic Las Vegas strip, Stu, Phil, and Alan awaken to find their lavish suite at Ceasar’s Palace destroyed and everything from a tiger to a chicken sharing their room. Henpecked Stu panics, having told his girlfriend they were going to wine country and is at a loss to explain the state of the room as well as his missing tooth. With all three men nursing a severe hangover and Doug nowhere to be found, things take a turn for the worse when a baby is discovered in the closet of their suite. Desperate to get to the bottom of the previous night and locate Doug, the guys try to piece together their lost night.
As the plot unfolds, the guys go from a wedding chapel to a hospital and police station, and trying to stay ahead of new threats and complications that arise. With Doug’s wedding looming in a few hours, the group takes extreme measures to find their friend and get him to the alter on time.
What follows is a hysterical and highly enjoyable comedy that rarely lets up long enough for you to stop laughing before unleashing even more comedy. The ensemble cast is strong and have great camaraderie and chemistry. The film loses some momentum in the final act but rebounds nicely with the final segments. Make sure you stay for the credits for some hysterical stuff and some great celebrity cameos. While some may find the humor crude and sophomoric, if you are not easily offended, you will laugh loud and often at this comedic delight.
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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Poltergeist (1982) in Movies
Oct 25, 2019
The TV People!
When the Freeling family moved into their suburban California home, little did they know what they were getting themselves into! Minor oddities began showing themselves like chairs stacking in the kitchen lights flashing or even being pulled across the kitchen floor. It felt like a "tickle". The situation quickly grows more severe as a tree outside the children's room plunges inside and tries to ingest son, Robbie. Simultaneously, a gateway of sorts opens in the children's room eventually pulling the entire contents into its closet vortex including youngest daughter, Carol Anne.
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! 😜
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! 😜
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Saw II (2005) in Movies
Mar 18, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
At first glance, Saw 2 is, like most sequels, more of the same but bigger. We have the police looking for Jigsaw's latest victims and we have the victims themselves playing the games. This time, however the scope is much bigger. The victims are not just chained in one room, they have a whole house to explore and the whole game is much more personal for one of the detectives.
The thing is, Saw 2 manages to add to the law put down in the first film. It expands on Jigsaw's motivation, expands his plans and uses two characters from the first film, Amanda and the 'Pig' and reveals that they were/are the same person. It is these additions to the law that help make the Saw franchise stand out from some others. Other franchises have the slashers going around killing their victims and repeating the same few bits of information unless it is important to that film. Of course, a big part of saw 2 are the kills but it does work on furthering the story and laying the ground work for more films.
It goes with out saying that there is blood and gore in this film but it suites the tone and isn't as over the top or as unrealistic as some other films.
The thing is, Saw 2 manages to add to the law put down in the first film. It expands on Jigsaw's motivation, expands his plans and uses two characters from the first film, Amanda and the 'Pig' and reveals that they were/are the same person. It is these additions to the law that help make the Saw franchise stand out from some others. Other franchises have the slashers going around killing their victims and repeating the same few bits of information unless it is important to that film. Of course, a big part of saw 2 are the kills but it does work on furthering the story and laying the ground work for more films.
It goes with out saying that there is blood and gore in this film but it suites the tone and isn't as over the top or as unrealistic as some other films.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 KP) rated Fallen Star in Books
Nov 26, 2025 (Updated Nov 26, 2025)
Body in a Barrel
LA County Sheriff Detective Eve Ronin and her partner are called to the scene of a body found in the Malibu Lagoon. Of course, it couldn’t be a body floating in the water. That would be too easy. In this case, the body was found floating in a fifty-five-gallon drum. What’s even more shocking is that Eve recognizing the victim. With his ties to some of the most powerful people in the county, can she find the killer without getting impacted by the politics of the case?
This book does contain some heavy spoilers for earlier stories in the series by necessity, but there is enough background you could jump in here. And what a wild ride it is. The plot spins in some unexpected directions, but I believed it all on the way to the logical climax. The characters are a little thin, but I do care about them. And I appreciate the depth we did get for Eve. The banter between the characters was fun, and the locker room humor was kept to a minimum. The violence was a little more than in the books I typically read. I’m ready for the next already, and fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up.
This book does contain some heavy spoilers for earlier stories in the series by necessity, but there is enough background you could jump in here. And what a wild ride it is. The plot spins in some unexpected directions, but I believed it all on the way to the logical climax. The characters are a little thin, but I do care about them. And I appreciate the depth we did get for Eve. The banter between the characters was fun, and the locker room humor was kept to a minimum. The violence was a little more than in the books I typically read. I’m ready for the next already, and fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up.
