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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2534 KP) rated Stabbed in the Baklava in Books
Aug 29, 2018
Best Man Stabbed at the Reception
Lucy has taken over managing her family’s Mediterranean restaurant in Ocean Crest, New Jersey, and she is thrilled when they are hired to cater the wedding of socialite Scarlet Westwood. However, in the middle of the reception, Lucy’s chef and ex-boyfriend, Azad, gets into a fight with the best man, Henry. As the night is winding down, Azad finds Henry’s body in the back of their locked catering van. Naturally, the police think he is a great suspect, but Lucy disagrees. Can she figure out what happened?
It was great to be back in Ocean Crest, and I felt like we got to see a bit more of this resort town. I loved it, and I’d love to be able to visit in real life, just maybe between the murders. The mystery here is very strong, with several viable and well-developed suspects. I followed along with Lucy’s thoughts as she investigated figuring that her current theory would turn out to be wrong, but when she finally figured out the truth, it made perfect sense. Most of the characters are strong, although a few of the supporting characters still seem to be a bit weak, and the way that Lucy’s mother focuses on her love life annoyed me. The love triangle is still going strong here, although I have a feeling I know where it will go. There are three delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. Overall, this is a fun second in the series.
It was great to be back in Ocean Crest, and I felt like we got to see a bit more of this resort town. I loved it, and I’d love to be able to visit in real life, just maybe between the murders. The mystery here is very strong, with several viable and well-developed suspects. I followed along with Lucy’s thoughts as she investigated figuring that her current theory would turn out to be wrong, but when she finally figured out the truth, it made perfect sense. Most of the characters are strong, although a few of the supporting characters still seem to be a bit weak, and the way that Lucy’s mother focuses on her love life annoyed me. The love triangle is still going strong here, although I have a feeling I know where it will go. There are three delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. Overall, this is a fun second in the series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2534 KP) rated The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning in Books
Jul 26, 2024
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.
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.
Her Druid Desire (The Amber Druid Series #1)
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At the tender age of sixteen, Nadia Morales loses both of her parents in a car accident caused by a...
Paranormal Romance
Hypeshooter (3 KP) created a post
Jul 12, 2017
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated The Secret of the Wooden Chest in Books
Apr 10, 2018
When Mrs Oberto arrives at the nursing home where Hannah and her nurse and odd job man parents live it is the beginning of a whole new adventure for them both. Hannah, a friendly and curious schoolgirl, is inquisitive about the new lady and although things don't get off to the best of starts they soon work things out and a school project creates a close friendship. But the mystery of the chest that stays on Mrs Oberto's bedside is a constant draw to Hannah and when she is given the opportunity to see what's inside, then a whole new world is opened up to her.
A good read for middle school age boys and girls, especially if an elderly relative is spending time in a hospital or a nursing home, this first part of a series of stories shows them how special and rewarding a close relationship with an older person can be.
A good read for middle school age boys and girls, especially if an elderly relative is spending time in a hospital or a nursing home, this first part of a series of stories shows them how special and rewarding a close relationship with an older person can be.
Natacha (374 KP) rated The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2) in Books
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 23, 2019)
Is was a great book with even more twists and turns than the first one. The only reason why I’m not giving this book full marks is the following:
1) The first two third of the book was more focused on political games. And although we were kept guessing all the way about what was happening and I had many moments of “I didn't see that coming” in my personal liking ⅔ of the book were a tiny bit more than what I would have liked.
2) Again, to my personal liking, I little bit too much self-doubting from Vin about who she is and if she should be with the man she loves or not.
Having said tha, holy moly did the last part of the book did make up for the above. I couldn't put the book down. Full of twist, battle and amazing moments! Now I can wait to read the final book in the series.
1) The first two third of the book was more focused on political games. And although we were kept guessing all the way about what was happening and I had many moments of “I didn't see that coming” in my personal liking ⅔ of the book were a tiny bit more than what I would have liked.
2) Again, to my personal liking, I little bit too much self-doubting from Vin about who she is and if she should be with the man she loves or not.
Having said tha, holy moly did the last part of the book did make up for the above. I couldn't put the book down. Full of twist, battle and amazing moments! Now I can wait to read the final book in the series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2534 KP) rated The Nightingale Before Christmas (Meg Langslow, #18) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg has been drafted as the coordinator of the show house, which will be decorated by a group of designers and then opened to the public to raise funds for local charities. However, when Meg goes back to lock up late one night, she finds one of the designers murdered in the master bedroom. He wasn’t a very well-liked man, but who actually hated him enough to murder him?
Yes, this book does tie in to Christmas as well (as hinted at by the title). It’s a fun mystery I thought I had figured out, but I was surprised in the end. The characters are great, although Josh and Jamie, Meg’s twins, completely stole the show. I would have liked to see more from one thread from the previous book, but hopefully that will show up in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-nightingale-before.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Yes, this book does tie in to Christmas as well (as hinted at by the title). It’s a fun mystery I thought I had figured out, but I was surprised in the end. The characters are great, although Josh and Jamie, Meg’s twins, completely stole the show. I would have liked to see more from one thread from the previous book, but hopefully that will show up in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-nightingale-before.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ant-Man (2015) in Movies
Jun 9, 2018 (Updated Jun 9, 2018)
Long-in-the-works Marvel movie gets around lack of big names and (if we're totally honest) significance to the ongoing MCU meta-plot through sheer good humour, inventiveness, and charm. Loveable rogue gets recruited by curmudgeonly ex-superhero to take on his mantle as very tiny special operative Ant-Man. Possibly most famous for the fact that original writer-director Edgar Wright was fired from the movie, allegedly for refusing to stick with the Marvel house style - his influence over the movie is still very noticeable to the discerning, though.
Absolute originality probably isn't the movie's strong point (it is sort of vaguely reminiscent of various other movies in the series), but the caper-heist plot structure is at least a little bit different, as is the 'people get really tiny' schtick. Also, compared to the movies on either side of this one it's a relief to see something not in danger of buckling under its own weight. Doesn't take itself too seriously; piles of fun.
Absolute originality probably isn't the movie's strong point (it is sort of vaguely reminiscent of various other movies in the series), but the caper-heist plot structure is at least a little bit different, as is the 'people get really tiny' schtick. Also, compared to the movies on either side of this one it's a relief to see something not in danger of buckling under its own weight. Doesn't take itself too seriously; piles of fun.
Crimes of the Century: Cannibal Killers
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Drawing on the Daily Mirror's outstanding archive and Haynes Publishing's wealth of experience, this...
Trust (Trust Series Book 1)
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David and Charlie are the perfect couple with a near perfect Dom/sub relationship and an ideal...