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Yule Log Murder
Yule Log Murder
Leslie Meier | 2022 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Christmas Murder on a Film Set
News has broken that a major Hollywood movie is going to be filmed just outside of town, and many of the townspeople are going to be used as extras. Lucy manages to snag one of those spots, but her joy turns to sorrow when a young woman dies on the set. The police seem quick to settle on a killer, but Lucy suspects that something else is going on. Can she figure things out?

I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
  
Better Watch Out (2016)
Better Watch Out (2016)
2016 | Horror
5
7.0 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A Christmas film... a horror film... also described as a comedy and a thriller on IMDb, although I find both of those a little inaccurate. If you asked me to sum up the genre I'd say "it's a Christmas horror..?" and then scrunch up my face in uncertain disgust.

It's difficult to sum this one up without exposing the end of the movie. I would like everyone to have the same confused experience watching this as I did.

I sat down at home to this DVD. I'd excitedly purchased this when I found out about it. With the tagline of "you might be home but you're not alone" you know exactly what you're getting. Or at least that's what you think. Everything promises to make this Home Alone for adults... Home Alone is for adults too of course. No one should deprive themselves of that Christmas wonder.

Not going to lie, when I saw Patrick Warburton pop up on screen it was like a Christmas miracle. I love him. He can do no wrong, and thankfully he didn't disappoint.

Olivia DeJonge made a great job of the role of Ashley. It felt like the serious sort of acting that the film needed to make it a horror film and not more of a comedy. Alongside Levi Miller as Luke we were given an interesting, if awkward on screen leading pair. Miller didn't quite hit the same notes for me as DeJonge did. I think that is more to do with the way the character is written than the acting, as he certainly puts everything into his scenes.

So... I sat down (I know, that was a way back now!) with my pad and pen waiting to jot some notes as I watched. I made a few scribblngs every now and then... until it happened... and you'll know it when it does. At that point I threw my pen across the room and told the film to f*** off.

The first part of the film had so much potential and I was really enjoying it but after "the moment" I just lost all interest in the way they'd taken it. I really wanted a more serious horror film than the unbelieveable thing that was given to us. What we were left with was cringeworthy and uncomfortable to watch, but I will give it credit for its Home Alone moments.

I really would like to know what you guys thought of the end of this film if you saw it.

Being that I was at home watching this on DVD that meant that I got some extras, well, extra. Singular. The fairly subtantial "making of" featurette was quite interesting and reveals just how hardcore DeJonge is when it came to this film.

What you should do

It's potentially drinking game material, but it definitely won't be making it into my Christmas movie rotation.

Movie thing you wish you could take home

Without a doubt I would like Patrick Warburton please. If he could be delivered to me in a Christmas tie, even better.
  
AC
A Christmas Peril: A Theater Cop Mystery. Book 1
J.A. Hennrikus | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Retired cop turned theater manager Edwina “Sully” Sullivan should be focusing on her theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. After all, the name star they’ve brought in can’t remember his lines, and actors are leaving in frustration. But what has captured her attention is the murder of Peter Whitehall. He’s not only the wealthiest man in town, but also a distant relative and the father of her friend Eric. Thanks to his security system, the police know someone in the family is the killer. Despite her intentions, Sully gets drawn into the puzzle. Can she figure out what happened?

This is a wonderful start to a new series. With my love of A Christmas Carol and live theater, I was looking forward to it, and it didn’t disappoint at all. The mystery is a modern-day twist on the isolated house mystery, and it is strong, with some surprises before we reach the logical end. Sully is already a wonderfully developed main character. There are some strong supporting characters here, and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest grow as the series progresses.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-christmas-peril-by-j.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
40x40

Ross (3284 KP) rated Caffe Nero in Apps

Nov 3, 2017  
Caffe Nero
Caffe Nero
Food & Drink
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
App Rating
Virtual stamps not being exactly positioned in the box, just like a real stamp card (0 more)
Virtual stamps not being exactly positioned in the box, just like a real stamp card (OCD) (0 more)
I have been using the Nero app for a few months now, mainly to collect stamps towards free coffees (just like the paper ones, you scan your app at the checkout). I have recently linked a debit card as well so can now pay for drinks as well as getting a stamp and this works really well.
Also for the Christmas period, every time you pay for a drink with the app you get a Christmas cracker to open with the chance of winning extra stamps, free drinks etc.
  
My Christmas Reindeer (A Reindeer Mate For Christmas)
My Christmas Reindeer (A Reindeer Mate For Christmas)
Wendy Rathbone | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MY CHRISTMAS REINDEER is part of the A Reindeer Mate for Christmas series, and features Fallon, a mathematical genius non-flying omega reindeer shifter, and Keir, the alpha elf in charge of ground control for Santa. Fallon was abandoned as a baby, adopted and raised by an elf family. When the story starts, he's working in the dollmaking workshop, but he isn't happy. He wants to work for ground control, where his maths and physics can really fly.

The relationship between these two was both fast-paced and slow-burning! Fallon pushes Keir with his mathematical equations, and Keir is more than happy with that. He goes out of his way to ensure Fallon is comfortable, in a purely professional sense, of course. That all changes when Fallon goes into heat the day before Christmas Eve. Keir can't leave him to deal with it by himself, and the connection that forms is deep.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the 'human' jealousies, rivalries, and emotions that show up throughout. Both Keir and Fallon change as this story moves on, and I loved how they both did their jobs, even when the going was tough. How Fallon managed to work while Kier was... erm... helping, I'll never know!

A great Christmassy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2025