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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Once Upon a Murder in Books

Feb 21, 2024  
Once Upon a Murder
Once Upon a Murder
Samantha Larsen | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not as Strong as the First Book
It’s 1784, and spinster Tiffany Woodall is hoping to put the chaos and intrigue of the last few months behind her. However, when she finds a dead body on her way to work at the castle one morning, she knows that isn’t going to happen. When the local bookseller, the man Tiffany loves, is accused of the crime, she can’t help but get involved. Can she figure out what happened?

The first book in this series was one of my favorites of last year. This book wasn’t as good, but it was still enjoyable. As with the first book, the mystery takes a backseat at times. However, here the other storylines weren’t as compelling. This is especially true of the romance. I was glad it wasn’t dragged out too much and I bought it in a way I wouldn’t in other series, but I wasn’t as invested in it. When the murder really kicks in during the second half, I was more fully on board, and I love how that was resolved. Likewise, I still loved all the characters and did enjoy seeing what happened to them. Fans of the first will want to pick this up. If you missed the first, you’ll definitely want to start there.
  
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Merissa (14020 KP) rated Crimson Petticoats in Books

Apr 22, 2022 (Updated Jun 24, 2023)  
Crimson Petticoats
Crimson Petticoats
Ryan Green | 2022 | Crime
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
CRIMSON PETTICOATS tells the true crime story of Western Europe's first known serial killer, Martin Dumollard. A disturbed child constantly in trouble, he grew up happiest when outside, in the forests and fields. When working as a groundskeeper at an estate, he met Marie, his future wife. She played the long game with Martin, their courtship lasting over ten years. After they were married and left that employ though, both of their worlds changed.

This is a well-written account that allows some imagination to take place, whilst firmly keeping the facts from that time -- found in newspapers and other places of research -- in mind. The sheer number of victims is almost incomprehensible by itself.

This is the first book by this author I have read and it won't be the last. I love the mixture of facts, told in a story-like fashion, that makes it a much better read than just dry facts of no consequence.

Absolutely recommended by me to all fans of #TrueCrime.

** 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!
Apr 14, 2022
  
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Darren (1599 KP) rated Hudson Hawk (1991) in Movies

Jul 25, 2019  
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Hudson Hawk (1991)
1991 | Action, Comedy
3
6.0 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Story: Hudson Hawk starts when Hudson (Willis) is released from prison, only to be drawn into committing one more burglary with his partner in crime Tommy Five-Tone (Aiello). The next day Hudson learns that not everything was as simple as just stealing a horse figure.

Hudson learns that the piece that he steals is involved in the world dominations and follow a strange amount of events, finds himself working for Darwin Mayflower (Grant), stealing the great works of Da Vinci.

 

Thoughts on Hudson Hawk

 

Characters – Hudson Hawk is a cat burglar that even after getting released from prison ends up back in the world of crime, only after stealing the first piece of art, he ends up needing to battle a world domination plan which takes him to the most famous art galleries in the world. he is wise-cracking that often on makes his own holes deeper without trying to. Tommy Five-Tone is the best friend of Hudson and does work with him on the crimes, he is often the butt of most of the jokes going on through the film. Anna Baragli is a nun that is undercover trying to stop the Da Vinci crystals coming together, she pushes off the flirts from Hudson who doesn’t learn her true place until too late. George Kaplan is the head of the CIA team tracking down Hudson, he knows each move he makes and will follow him to every location the job takes him too.

Performances – Bruce Willis really struggles with anything comical and this shows just how badly he handles this material, Danny Aiello does ok with the supporting comic moments. Andie MacDowell looks lost in this role for the most part, with only James Coburn seemingly knowing his place in the film.

Story – The story follows a cat burglar that gets given a job which soon sees him travel the world forced into helping criminals try to claim world dominance. The story here does feel very messy, it might well surprise where things go, but they do end up feeling completely random and make you feel like you are watching a sketch show rather than a coherent story. this is just a story that becomes difficult to watch and will end up making you lose interest quickly in the film.

Action/Crime/Comedy – The action plays into the comedy, we have silly moments throughout the film which try to get laughs and fail to achieve this, we do enter a crime world that does feel like it will just be robbery before getting out of hand.

Settings – The film does use the locations of the famous galleries from around the world for the main locations, with each needing to used for the latest robbery.


Scene of the Movie – The first robbery.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The comedy is a big miss throughout the film.

Final Thoughts – This is a sloppy comedy that misses more often than it hits, it feels like a drag to watch and completely miss-cast movie.

 

Overall: Sloppy throughout.