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ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Last Wife in Books
Jul 8, 2020
I wasn’t quite sure what was happening or what was going to happen with this one. It’s told in the first person, and so we see everything through the eyes of Marie (I didn’t even seem to catch her name for the first couple of staves/ instalments). It was described as a thriller, but it seemed a bit ‘domestic drama’ to me. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing if that’s what you enjoy, but I don’t think it’s for me. It took a bit of time to get to the crux of the story. It was all a bit long-winded, and I have to admit that I didn’t really enjoy my daily reading session with this one. There are plenty of people who did enjoy it though, so I think it just wasn’t to my taste.
Many thanks to the Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this.
Many thanks to the Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Wakenhyrst in Books
Jul 17, 2020
Edwardian Gothic Horror
Michelle Paver has this exceptional ability to create a location that always becomes the lead character of her stories. Here it is The Fen and the Manor House within it. You can smell the pond weed, hear the birds and visualise the location immaculately. This incredible writer also always manages to create suggestions and hints of horror without ever over stating it. Its a beautiful subtlety which makes it even more haunting. This book also highlights strong feminist values simply by portraying female strength she ridicules the notion of patriarchy.
As you know I don't like to give away the story, wanting you to discover the pages yourself. Wakenhyrst is set in the early 1900s and is a dark githic thriller about past deeds haunting the now, and like her other books it's spectacular.
As you know I don't like to give away the story, wanting you to discover the pages yourself. Wakenhyrst is set in the early 1900s and is a dark githic thriller about past deeds haunting the now, and like her other books it's spectacular.
The Circle (2017)
5.9
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The Circle is a gripping modern thriller, set in the not-too-distant future, starring Emma Watson...
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Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated Sister in Books
Apr 29, 2021
Disappointing. For me this book lacked any real suspense and the plot was far too engineered.
The protagonist and also narrative voice, Bee was annoying at times with her opinionated piety and judgmental attitude which, even in the light of her grief made her seem bigoted rather than detached through her mourning.
Whilst I liked the device used to create the twist at the end I had guessed who the murderer was way before it was revealed because his relationship with Bee was so implausible.
I found the plot boring at times and felt the genetic research element of the plot sensationalist and naive.
The relationship portrayed between Bee and her murdered sister, Tess was the strongest part of the book. It was written quite movingly at times and was very vivid and heart-warming. However, this was very much marred by the poor thriller-style plot.
The protagonist and also narrative voice, Bee was annoying at times with her opinionated piety and judgmental attitude which, even in the light of her grief made her seem bigoted rather than detached through her mourning.
Whilst I liked the device used to create the twist at the end I had guessed who the murderer was way before it was revealed because his relationship with Bee was so implausible.
I found the plot boring at times and felt the genetic research element of the plot sensationalist and naive.
The relationship portrayed between Bee and her murdered sister, Tess was the strongest part of the book. It was written quite movingly at times and was very vivid and heart-warming. However, this was very much marred by the poor thriller-style plot.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Layer Cake (2004) in Movies
Oct 5, 2020
British crime thriller. A highly professional and goal-oriented businessman in the drugs trade finds his well-organised life falling into chaos when he gets mixed up with stolen Ecstasy, Serbian war criminals and a missing heiress. Could he be forced to become something he despises - an actual gangster?
Looks a bit like a Guy Ritchie movie - and not without reason, for Matthew Vaughn produced the early Ritchie films - but the tone is (thankfully) more measured and serious. The plot is nothing very distinctive, although the subtext about Craig's character having to adopt the brutal methods of the people he encounters has some interest. Good performances from a strong cast; Michael Gambon is scary as a gang boss, but it's Daniel Craig's movie. This is apparently the performance that swung Bond for him, but the film deserves to be recognised on its own merits.
Looks a bit like a Guy Ritchie movie - and not without reason, for Matthew Vaughn produced the early Ritchie films - but the tone is (thankfully) more measured and serious. The plot is nothing very distinctive, although the subtext about Craig's character having to adopt the brutal methods of the people he encounters has some interest. Good performances from a strong cast; Michael Gambon is scary as a gang boss, but it's Daniel Craig's movie. This is apparently the performance that swung Bond for him, but the film deserves to be recognised on its own merits.
Kate (493 KP) rated Gasping For Air in Books
Oct 19, 2020 (Updated Oct 19, 2020)
This was the second book in the series. I enjoyed this book more than the first. A couple of characters from the initial book were also in this book and it tied the entire series in as all the books are based at the motel. I was proud of Lillian for just up and leaving. It takes a strong person to do this and someone who just snaps and has enough. I liked the change of pace in this story as it had a dangerous element to it. I guessed who the stalker was as it was obvious but I don't feel this book was written to be an 'edge of your seat thriller'. I also hadn't expected it to be. Lillian definitly grew as the book went on. Even though she was a strong woman to begin with but she became alot stronger. It also had a nice ending.
Michael Packner (32 KP) rated The Guest (2014) in Movies
Jun 27, 2019
The villain is superbly acted (4 more)
The film is extremely tense
The blood splatter is 80s-tastic
The music fits the film well
The diner scene is pretty damn cool
Adam Wingard strikes again with another seriously strong film. This one feels part home invasion horror and part 80s action thriller. There's some really nice blood splatter from gunshots in this flick. The villain is portrayed to perfection in a performance on par with Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler and Ledger in The Dark Knight, or at least that's my opinion. The plot is a bit wild but it's a fun ride with some really memorable sequences. The diner scene in particular was pretty spectacular even though in the grand scheme of the finale it wasn't the biggest attraction. All in all a very entertaining film and another hit for Wingard to keep him in my top 5 modern filmmakers.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated Angel Heart (1987) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
Dark and brooding occult movie that reveals its hand pretty early on and throughout its runtime, but you may miss this due to being totally engrossed by the fine performances especially from Mickey Rourke who turns in what I believe is a career best as the detective who decends into madness whilst investigating a case.
It's quite an effective thriller/detective story dripping with genuine dread and its share of disturbing and intricate scenes that will still spook you, even in today's era of CGI trickery.
Rourke really surprises here and you wonder what really happened to his star over the years as he showed real promise as an emerging new talent at the time and showed some glimpses of this greatness in 'The Wrestler' much later on in his career.
Robert De Niro plays only a small but extremely memorable and effective role that will chill you to the bone.
It's quite an effective thriller/detective story dripping with genuine dread and its share of disturbing and intricate scenes that will still spook you, even in today's era of CGI trickery.
Rourke really surprises here and you wonder what really happened to his star over the years as he showed real promise as an emerging new talent at the time and showed some glimpses of this greatness in 'The Wrestler' much later on in his career.
Robert De Niro plays only a small but extremely memorable and effective role that will chill you to the bone.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Play Dead (Elise Sandburg book 1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
Hooked from the start
No one is more familiar with Savannah's dark side than homicide detective and native resident Elise Sandburg. She's been haunted for years by her own mysterious past: she was abandoned as a baby in one of the city's ancient cemeteries, and it's rumored that she is the illegitimate daughter of an infamous Savannah root doctor. The local Gullah culture of voodoo and magic is one that few outsiders can understand, least of all Elise's new ...
<strong>Hooked</strong>
From the first chapter I was hooked. It's a great mix of mystery and thriller with it touching on the occult slightly. Anne is a new author for me and certainly one I can't wait to read more of.
The relationship dynamics are so well written from the angst of a strained mother daughter to the new troubled work relationships.
Definitely one of recommend.
,⭐⭐⭐⭐

<strong>Hooked</strong>
From the first chapter I was hooked. It's a great mix of mystery and thriller with it touching on the occult slightly. Anne is a new author for me and certainly one I can't wait to read more of.
The relationship dynamics are so well written from the angst of a strained mother daughter to the new troubled work relationships.
Definitely one of recommend.
,⭐⭐⭐⭐