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A Legacy of Murder
8.0
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American antique dealer Kate Hamilton's Christmastime jaunt to a charming English village leads to...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2393 KP) rated Smile Beach Murder in Books
May 26, 2022
Murder at the Lighthouse
After being laid off from her job as a reporter, Callie Padget has returned home to Cattail Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and landed a job at the local bookstore. She is forced to face a tragedy from her past when a friend falls from the island’s lighthouse almost on the anniversary of her own mother’s tragic death at the lighthouse. Callie doesn’t buy the official police ruling of suicide, especially since the victim had just found the first clue to a treasure hunt. Can Callie figure out what really happened? Is the treasure hunt related to the death?
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated A Christmas in the Alps in Books
Jan 2, 2022
A Christmas in the Alps is a lovely and enjoyable story set for Christmas. You will find yourself wanting to find out more about the two main characters exploring France. This book is set during and takes place mainly in France around Christmas.
We meet Simone while she is cleaning out her great grandma's house. Her friend found a letter and read it to Simone. The letter starts Simone on her journey to discover her great-grandma's treasure and heritage. Will she find more than that? Will she overcome her flying fear? She meets Kyle during her flight from Seattle to France.
This story is doing a bit of genealogy and a bit of romance. So far, it is excellent. It looks like Simone has made at least two friends. There seems to be a mystery going on as well at this point. Is Leon's Aunt related to Simone's Great-grandma, or does she know anything about her Great Grandpa rescued during WW2?
Will Kyle and Simone find love with each other? Will Simone find the true treasure and family? There seems to be a family feud or a rift in a relationship. Can Simone find a solution and fix the relationship with her great aunt? To this end, you will want to read more from this author. Melody Carlson will bring you in to enjoy the culture of her lovely books and Christmas books. This one is no different.
We meet Simone while she is cleaning out her great grandma's house. Her friend found a letter and read it to Simone. The letter starts Simone on her journey to discover her great-grandma's treasure and heritage. Will she find more than that? Will she overcome her flying fear? She meets Kyle during her flight from Seattle to France.
This story is doing a bit of genealogy and a bit of romance. So far, it is excellent. It looks like Simone has made at least two friends. There seems to be a mystery going on as well at this point. Is Leon's Aunt related to Simone's Great-grandma, or does she know anything about her Great Grandpa rescued during WW2?
Will Kyle and Simone find love with each other? Will Simone find the true treasure and family? There seems to be a family feud or a rift in a relationship. Can Simone find a solution and fix the relationship with her great aunt? To this end, you will want to read more from this author. Melody Carlson will bring you in to enjoy the culture of her lovely books and Christmas books. This one is no different.
The Greedy Cave
Games and Entertainment
App
In a land far, far away there once was a vast continent called Milton. It was a land where the power...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2393 KP) rated The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When their friend Chet's jalopy is stolen, Frank and Joe think it is their chance to prove they can be detectives. But when they find his car, it just leads them to more mysteries.
This is my first time reading a Hardy Boys book in years, and I found it interesting. The characters were still as shallow as I remembered, but I was surprised to find the plot was episodic and their father did some big chunks of the investigation without them. Still, I enjoyed it and think kids today will, too.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-tower-treasure-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is my first time reading a Hardy Boys book in years, and I found it interesting. The characters were still as shallow as I remembered, but I was surprised to find the plot was episodic and their father did some big chunks of the investigation without them. Still, I enjoyed it and think kids today will, too.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-tower-treasure-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) in Movies
Jun 7, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2018)
I was pleasantly surprised by this. I had a feeling it was aimed at a young audience but actually it's pretty good for the whole family. There are great effects scenes with some of the Greek mythology creatures doing battle with the demi gods. It felt like Clash of the Titans but set in modern day America, crossed with National Treasure. It has a great cast, although some have very short screen time. It whizzed by at a good pace, with plenty of action, cheesey humour and some decent action effects. I wouldn't call it a Potter or Narnia clone but if you like those sort of adventure films you can't go wrong with this!
David McK (3600 KP) rated Treasure Island in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I'm going to start with a shocker: I'd never actually read Robert Louis Stevenson's classic before.
Oh, I was familiar with the story - who isn't? - but as for actually reading the novel? Nope.
Indeed, the closest I had ever come was screen adaptations of it, with The Muppets version in particular springing to mind! As such, I never really had the inclination to go to the source material - after all, I've seen it, so why read it?
However, I finally got round to actually doing so in late 2013 and, you know what? I did actually quite enjoy it!
I'm aware that it started the whole buried treasure/peg-legged Pirates genre of stories, and now I know why :)
Oh, I was familiar with the story - who isn't? - but as for actually reading the novel? Nope.
Indeed, the closest I had ever come was screen adaptations of it, with The Muppets version in particular springing to mind! As such, I never really had the inclination to go to the source material - after all, I've seen it, so why read it?
However, I finally got round to actually doing so in late 2013 and, you know what? I did actually quite enjoy it!
I'm aware that it started the whole buried treasure/peg-legged Pirates genre of stories, and now I know why :)
Mine Blitz
Games and Stickers
App
The makers of Century City have built a fast-paced platformer around the story of the beloved miner...
That Close
Book
The amazing life of Madness frontman and national treasure, Suggs Suggs is one of pop music's most...
The Windhorse Colouring Book
Book
The Buddhist tradition offers a treasure-house of images that can touch our hearts and minds in...