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The Distant Echo (Inspector Karen Pirie, #1)
The Distant Echo (Inspector Karen Pirie, #1)
Val McDermid | 2004 | Crime, Mystery
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great characters (1 more)
Beautiful writing
Drags slightly in places (0 more)
I loved the writing in this book, it's the first Val McDermid book I've read and it won't be my last.

The character creation and development in the first part of the book as really engaging. I was fully pulled in Scotland in the late 1970s and into the group of friends as their relationship altered as events affected them.

I did fell it started to drag a bit in the second part but really picked up pace for the end and would recommend for anyone wanting a character driven crime thriller.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Grey (2012) in Movies

Feb 10, 2018  
The Grey (2012)
The Grey (2012)
2012 | Action, Drama
6
7.0 (15 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A decent survival drama/thriller as a group of men try to survive a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness with a pack of Wolves on their trail. Neeson seems to be the flavour of the year at present and does another good job here. The only problem is the story is a little bleak and tries to carry a message about death and the afterlife as well. Which starts fairly subtle before cropping up quite regularly towards the end. It has a very short scene after the credits as well. Reminded me of The Edge as well.
  
House at the End of the Street (2012)
House at the End of the Street (2012)
2012 | Horror, Mystery
6
6.1 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I wouldn't class this as a Horror, if you're expecting one and that might expect some of the low ratings. A 12a rating is another sign normally. This is definitely more of a thriller in the mould of Disturbia, Rear Window. Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong at present and is very good in this. The twist(s) are pretty good, if a little easy to predict, but it still makes for an interesting film. You can tell they thought about the overall visual look of the film as well, it has some cool making of features to.
  
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Lauren (1 KP) rated Disclaimer in Books

Jan 24, 2018  
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Renee Knight | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
The ending was a complete surprise, as well as the premise being a really good idea. (0 more)
Execution of the premise wasn't as amazing as expected. First few chapters a bit slow and wobbly, but the second half makes up for it. (0 more)
A good debut from Renee Knight
At surface level, this is a really good psychological suspense/thriller book. However, you will find flaws if you look deeper. I couldn't really relate to any characters, I didn't particularly like or become attached to any of them, but the multi-layered family conflict was good and realistic.
  
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
2012 | Action, Drama, Mystery
A brilliant film and great ending....for now at least to this trilogy. Dark, gritty and brutal it doesn't feel like a comic book action hero film. It's more a harsh crime thriller! I thought Anne Hathaway was well cast as Catwoman as is Tom Hardy as Bane. The only problem I had was understanding everything Bane said through his face mask, at times the voice doesn't seem to match the villain? Only small minor gripes though, still I have to add The Dark Knight is still my favourite of the 3 with this a close second.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Reef (2010) in Movies

Mar 22, 2018  
The Reef (2010)
The Reef (2010)
2010 | Mystery
6
5.6 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating
From the same director as Black Water about a Alligator menacing a group of stranded people in the outback. We have this survival thriller about a group of friends whose boat is capsized and after some decide to swim encounter a great white shark. Apparently based on true events...
It does feel very similar to both Open water and Adrift but has a bit more action I felt. Definitely not as slowly paced as Open water. Given the subject matter, this is about as good as this type of film can get. It won't be for everyone.
  
Red Sparrow (2018)
Red Sparrow (2018)
2018 | Mystery, Thriller
THE RUNTIME (0 more)
I was dreading sitting for 2+ hours to watch this movie, I complained about it all day. But, I'm glad I did. I haven't read the book yet, so I can't comment on how close it was or wasn't to the book.
Jennifer Lawrence seemed to get her Russian accent from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon. It was a little whack, but she did well in the role. Joel Edgerton's character was neither here nor there.
It was a pretty solid espionage thriller, but still, a little long. It was fairly predictable, but it was still interesting.
  
Then She Was Gone
Then She Was Gone
Lisa Jewell | 2017 | Thriller
7
8.1 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little far-fetched but still exciting
While this thriller seems highly unlikely, it is pretty exciting with twist after twist. More than a decade after the disappearance and death of Ellie Mack, mother Laurel begins a new relationship with a family with a sinister connection.

Some aspects seem hugely unrealistic, i.e. relying on face value to make judgements, and the interconnections appear a little tenuous but this book should be enjoyed as an exhilarating read, rather than a psychological drama. There is very little character development, and sparse information regarding the wider characters such as Hannah and Paul. However, it's interesting nonetheless.
  
The Hitcher (2007)
The Hitcher (2007)
2007 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
8
6.1 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Good remake
This is a brilliant if simple thriller/horror film! I was surprised I liked it so much, favours well compared to the original and much better than The Hitcher 2 which no doubt passed many by, just as well. This is very similar to the original with the general plot and "key" scenes still in it. Sophia Bush is great in this and Sean Bean does make a a good viillain. Very violent and bloody to go with it! If you thought this would be a poor comparison to the cult original then I suggest you check it out.
  
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KarenRC (6 KP) rated The Tall Man in Books

Jul 23, 2018  
The Tall Man
The Tall Man
Phoebe Locke | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
For the majority of this book I was clueless as to what had happened and who had done what to who! But that is a good thing! It was only in the last few chapters that everything did finally come together and it was done very well. Loved the back and forth between the 90’s, 2016, 2018, diary entries and emails. Even with all the back and forth, it was easy to follow and did a great job of keeping the story moving while ramping up the tension.
An excellent debut thriller that will have you checking those shadows!