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Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Conspirator (2011) in Movies

Sep 1, 2019

Love me a good true historical drama

Director Robert Redford delves into a story everyone knows, but doesn't really know.

After the assassination of our 16th and very popular president, Abraham Lincoln, the conspirators are shot and/or caught to face an outraged and shocked nation right at the end of the Civil War. Among the accused is Mary Surratt who is on trial for her involvement in aiding, lodging and collaborating with those accused. The entire nation wants justice however they can get it, so her circumstance seems dire without a lot of reprieve.

Enter her reluctant defense attorney who doesn't really want the job of defending a woman everyone wants to see brought to justice. Her trial seems one-sided at best with witnesses changing their stories and the judges not allowing much argument against the accused.

Mary herself seems she has given up hope with little regard for her own life.

Redford manages to build the tension slowly as the evidence becomes increasingly bleak for the defendant and everyone's eyes on the trial's outcome. Stellar performance by the always interesting James McAvoy. He wrestles with his own emotions and the growing prejudice the trial has brought upon him and his family to persevere and provide ample defense for his client.

Kudos

Merissa (13600 KP) rated The Duke's Forbidden Love (Age of Innocence #4) in Books

Aug 13, 2020

The Duke's Forbidden Love is the fourth book in the Age of Innocence series. I haven't read any of the previous books and I don't think this had a negative impact upon my enjoyment of the series.

Amelia finds herself in the position of having to marry a man she fears and does the unthinkable. She runs away. When she has an accident in a storm, she is found by James Warwick who looks after her until she recovers. Their feelings grow for each other during this time, even though 'Clara' can no longer remember who she is or what she was doing.

This was a very genteel book, with flirting and passion being declared in a way that is only proper! It felt more like a novella, with the pacing of the story being quite fast. Although Lady Clara was nice enough to the staff, I would have liked to have seen her make a bit more of an effort with regards to Dolly.

If you like Historical Romances that read true to the time, then I can recommend this book.

* 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!

Kudos

Christine A. (965 KP) rated What Lies Between Us in Books

May 22, 2020 (Updated May 26, 2020)

‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I discovered John Marrs when I read his novel, The Passengers. Going off a recommendation, I picked up his book. What I had meant to read was The Passenger by Lisa Lutz. I still haven't read Lutz's but enjoyed finding Marrs.

What Lies Between Us is nothing like the John Marrs' The Passengers, Both are twisted and keep you engaged but that is where the similarities end.

The synopsis says that every house has its secrets. I believe that to be true. The house in this story is hiding a lot of secrets. Nina and Maggie are co-dependent on each other but with a complicated past. Nina blames Maggie for how Nina's life turned out. To get revenge, she chains Maggie in a soundproof room and is keeping her prisoner for twenty-one years or until she dies.

I have to admit I thought I figured everything out. That is until I assumed something Marrs implied. I should say, I mistakenly assumed something. When I finished the book, I needed to go back and reread a chapter. I completely fell for it. I do not want to ruin the secrets by saying too much but you have to read this book!

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/22/2020