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Murder, etc.
Murder, etc.
Society & Culture
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Epic amount of work has gone into this (0 more)
Very drawn out (1 more)
Hard to understand some interviews
In Depth True Crime for the hardcore
A True-Crime podcast looking back on the murder of a narcotics cop and his father in the 1970s. The whole series is about this one crime looking at the larger picture of what was going on in Greenville SC at the time and if the wrong man; Charles Wakefield; was sent to death row for the crime.

This podcast leaves no stone unturned and the amount of investigation and time put into it is truly inspiring. Unfortunately, I don’t really have the attention span for it, I think I prefer my true crime in much broader brushstrokes this was just too dragged out to hold my interest. Many of the interviews are understandably with very old individuals who I found difficult to understand (accents may be an issue for me as well.) I’m sure for some who really want to be totally in on everything this will appeal. There is a whole community really invested in this investigation.

I’ve listened to 17 episodes but fallen asleep during many of them and i don’t think I’m going to finish it. If they do a summary episode may return for that.
  
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ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Lock Up in Books

May 15, 2023  
The Lock Up
The Lock Up
John Banville | 2023 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The fact that I haven’t read the previous three books in this series didn’t mean that I enjoyed it any less. It’s a character driven murder mystery, with lots of background of the pathologist, Quirke. His wife died in the last book, and whilst it’s unclear whether this is a thing with him in other books, he’s most certainly an alcoholic in THIS book. He’s deeply unhappy.

The mystery however, centres around the death of a young Jewish woman, found in her car in a lock up. DI Strafford is called in to solve the case, which becomes more complicated ass the story goes on. The beginning of the book is about a young man travelling into the mountains in Germany to escape the allies. This seems unconnected to begin with,but of course it isn’t!

The Church very much makes it’s presence felt, and there are obstacles put in the way of Strafford and Quirke solving this case.

I really liked this, and very much appreciated the descriptions of Strafford, Quirke and the other characters too. It added to the sense of time and place.

Yet another book that I’m very glad that I picked up on The Pigeonhole!
  
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Johnny Depp returns as Capt. Jack Sparrow in the fifth outing for the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise. Based on the phenomenally popular attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World; the latest film “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” finds Jack and his crew once again at odds with British authorities in St. Maarten. Adding Jack’s troubles is a malevolent spirit from his past named Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem), who seeks to return to the living by exacting his revenge upon Jack. Along for the adventure are a young man named Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), and a science minded woman named Carina (Kaya Scodelario), who all have their reasons for joining one another on the adventure despite ample levels of mistrust amongst them.

In keeping with the series all sorts of comedic hijinks mixed with action and the supernatural to give audiences a very noisy and destruction filled storyline.

While there is a decent amount of action in the film there were also large gaps where things just plod along which caused me to glance at my watch from time to time during the two-hour runtime of the film. Adding to the issues is the tendency of depth to slur and mumble his lines playing the frequently inebriated Capt. Jack which does hamper some of the better lines in the film.

Well I certainly enjoyed this one much better than the second and third films in the series I kept thinking that I have seen this all before and that this film was essentially a collection of some of the best moments from previous films combined into one. The end result is that I found myself saying that while I would not mind another outing in the series I would also be more than okay they decided to end the cinematic adventures with this film. Diehard fans will likely enjoy this new effort but more casual fans may not have as much patience this time around.

http://sknr.net/2017/05/25/pirates-caribbean-dead-men-tell-no-tales/
  
Marvin (Assassin's To Order #1)
Marvin (Assassin's To Order #1)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
MARVIN is the first book in the Assassin's To Order series, a spin-off from the Tangled Tentacles series and features all of our favourites.

Marvin has been convinced to come forward and make a TV appearance, in the hope of bringing out his Lost Boys. Of course, not everyone is as good-hearted as Marvin so things don't go according to plan. Unfortunately, Marvin draws the wrong kind of attention and a kill order is put on him. Luckily for him, he finds his mate who is more than happy to help protect him. His friends are also happy to help, as Marvin helped them.

Oh, man! Marvin the Marvellous!!! He is so innocent, so pure, but don't let that fool you. He also has a spine of steel and will not be played. I love him so much and loved seeing how he developed through the story. You find out some but not all of Marvin's past. Ajani is Marvin's mate and doesn't think he is worthy. Marvin deserves someone better, someone not an assassin. Ajani didn't count on the mate bond and just how much Marvin wants him. He never stood a chance! LOL

I can't say as the ending was a surprise but I loved how it got there. I read this in one sitting, unable to put it down. I can't wait to see the other stories. This wasn't as steamy as others by this pair of authors but I don't think it could have been - not without changing Marvin's character, which is simply not allowed!

A brilliant start to this series and HIGHLY recommended by me.

** 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!
  
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
DURON is the third book in the Assassin's To Order series, continuing to delight.

Duron is the one who has lingered on Marvin, knowing he wasn't his but still... It turns out that it wasn't Marvin he wanted, but the closeness and affection he'd never had before. And Beaumont brings that in spades.

Oh, man. These two are delightful. Both are so protective of each other and find each so sexy that no furniture is safe! I loved how Beaumont was an alligator shifter. There aren't many cold-blooded reptile shifter stories and I loved this one. As for Duron, he's a hybrid, housing a multitude of animals who all play their own part.

They meet in Paraguay as they try to help Ben's brothers in hunting down the Devil. It became obvious early on just who he was, but the emotional devastation was no less for knowing! Beaumont about killed me with his reactions, and Duron was perfect in allowing him time - plus his own special way of helping!

I am absolutely loving this duo of authors. Each time, they produce the highest quality of writing and fresh storylines that keep my interest from the very beginning. The only downside - if you can call it that - is that I would recommend reading the Tangled in Tentacles series first, just to get a grounding of what has happened to this point, followed by the first and second books in this series. No, it's not absolutely necessary to do so, but you're missing out on some amazing stories and backgrounds if you don't.

Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY recommended by me.

** 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!
Jul 17, 2023
  
Maggie's Man is the second book in The Cowboys of Cavern County series. In this one, we meet up with Aiden, who appeared in book one. This time, he has his eye on Maggie, a waitress at a small cafe. They have spoken for a while, but Aiden hasn't had the courage to ask her out. Eventually he does, and although the date starts well, misunderstandings quickly overtake things (read, 'foot-in-mouth'!!)

The relationship between Maggie and Aiden is full of ups and downs, misunderstandings, and embarrassments. Although it is full of heat, I wasn't completely taken with their relationship. There seemed to be too many misunderstandings for me, although to be fair, Aiden wouldn't have known half of it because Maggie was too prideful to actually talk to him - for example, the cab after the dinner party.

However, what made up for it, was the whole suspense/mystery side of things. Robert is a complete scoundrel, and it looks like he will get away scot-free yet again. However, Bella Settarra has written an amazing story with more twists, turns, double dealing, and red-herrings than you can shake a stick at. Absolutely loved this side of the story.

Very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book was completely enjoyable. Maggie's Man can be read as a standalone as apart from Aiden, there are no crossover characters to mention. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
  
Ginger Snapping All The Way (Love In Mission City #1)
Ginger Snapping All The Way (Love In Mission City #1)
Gabbi Grey | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
the connection between Maddox and Ravi is instant and powerful.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 1 in the Love In Mission City series, but I am reading it AFTER book 3. SO I have spoilers for this book in that book. It did not detract from my enjoyment of this book, though. I will get to read book 2 asap.

Maddox doesn't like Christmas, but a friend asks a favour and he's left with the most gorgeous man he ever saw. Ravi just needs a place to stay til tomorrow to get the plane home to see his god daughter. But Mother Nature has other ideas and the few days they have snowed in make the world of difference to both man. But they live a continent apart, this was only supposed to be fleeting.

I really enjoyed this. Maddox is grumpy and Ravi is a match for that but not as a grump. Ravi is fighting a good deal with himself and his past, and his pain is not immediately clear. I liked that, as I did in book 3, one character's pain is front and centre, but it takes time for the other's to become clear.

The whole book takes place over a couple of days, and the connection between Maddox and Ravi is instant and powerful.

Now I need to read book 2, Stanley's Christmas Redemption. Stanley is Maddox' ex, and he gets a bum wrap here. I have a feeling that there is more to his story than Maddox says.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere