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*＊✿❀ Maki ❀✿＊* (7 KP) rated Lore in Podcasts
May 3, 2018 (Updated May 3, 2018)
interesting stories (1 more)
amazingly atmospheric background music
can get repetitive (1 more)
"it seems"
I really like the premise of Lore. I'm endlessly fascinated by folklore, and the narrative structure of the podcast works for me. They're the perfect length to keep my attention, and the background music helps set the mood for the stories.
I only really have two small issues with Lore:
First, there's the somewhat repetitive nature of the subject matter (before every episode, my husband and I place bets on whether or not the episode is going to mention vampires, pooka, or H.H. Holmes - and lately - the Fox Sisters or Arthur Conan Doyle.) I do realize there's really only so many stories Menke can tell before he runs out of stories though, especially with the North American/UK-centric slant of the show.
And second, I don't mean to nitpick, but sometimes, it seems, Menke tends to overuse "it seems" as an interjection. It seems.
I apologize in advance if you can never unhear that writing quirk.
I only really have two small issues with Lore:
First, there's the somewhat repetitive nature of the subject matter (before every episode, my husband and I place bets on whether or not the episode is going to mention vampires, pooka, or H.H. Holmes - and lately - the Fox Sisters or Arthur Conan Doyle.) I do realize there's really only so many stories Menke can tell before he runs out of stories though, especially with the North American/UK-centric slant of the show.
And second, I don't mean to nitpick, but sometimes, it seems, Menke tends to overuse "it seems" as an interjection. It seems.
I apologize in advance if you can never unhear that writing quirk.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon UK for this ARC.
M.J. Ford is back with a gripping new thriller, the events in this book follow on from what happened in Hold My Hand 6 months later.
As young college students go missing from different colleges in Oxford, Josie fights with her superiors as to the motives behind the disappearances. Only she sees that there is a deadly pattern to the disappearances and she is the link that they are all missing.
I loved this book and had it devoured in 1 day as I just couldn't put it down. The plot is well developed as are the characters. This is to me a fast paced thriller which kept me hanging and guessing all the way to the end.
The development of the mastermind behind it all was tremendous. There are side plots to this story which are so cleverly done to keep you guessing and gripped.
I would give more than 5 stars if possible and look forward to more from this author!
M.J. Ford is back with a gripping new thriller, the events in this book follow on from what happened in Hold My Hand 6 months later.
As young college students go missing from different colleges in Oxford, Josie fights with her superiors as to the motives behind the disappearances. Only she sees that there is a deadly pattern to the disappearances and she is the link that they are all missing.
I loved this book and had it devoured in 1 day as I just couldn't put it down. The plot is well developed as are the characters. This is to me a fast paced thriller which kept me hanging and guessing all the way to the end.
The development of the mastermind behind it all was tremendous. There are side plots to this story which are so cleverly done to keep you guessing and gripped.
I would give more than 5 stars if possible and look forward to more from this author!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Agent of Chaos in Books
Apr 1, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Weirdly prescient pulp sci-fi novel. 'The great tyrant ruled with solar system with absolute terror. Only one man dared to fight back!' The man in question being one Boris Johnson, who (laser gun in hand) heroically sets out to bring down the government and plunge the world into complete anarchy (this really is the plot, and yes, the book was written in 1967).
Obviously the book is unintended comedy gold for UK readers nowadays, but as something you might actually want to read for pleasure, or for any other reason, it is quite hard work: the plot is hackneyed, the characterisation thin, and much of the book is taken up with lengthy discussions of chaos and order and anarchy and so on. This has given the book a cult following, although I think it depends on how old you are when you first read it. If you're not into radical philosophy and not amused by the doings of Boris Johnson, there's not much else here to enjoy.
Obviously the book is unintended comedy gold for UK readers nowadays, but as something you might actually want to read for pleasure, or for any other reason, it is quite hard work: the plot is hackneyed, the characterisation thin, and much of the book is taken up with lengthy discussions of chaos and order and anarchy and so on. This has given the book a cult following, although I think it depends on how old you are when you first read it. If you're not into radical philosophy and not amused by the doings of Boris Johnson, there's not much else here to enjoy.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Evidence Against You in Books
May 22, 2019
It's the day Izzy's father will be released from jail.
She has every reason to feel conflicted - he's the man who gave her a childhood filled with happy memories.
But he has also just served seventeen years for the murder of her mother.
Now, Izzy's father sends her a letter. He wants to talk, to defend himself against each piece of evidence from his trial.
But should she give him the benefit of the doubt?
Or is her father guilty as charged, and luring her into a trap?
This is an utterly amazing thriller,
The story is told in a very good way in that the past and present are told in alternating way and we get to find out facts about the case in drips.
Lots of twists and turns and keeps you wanting to know whats going to happen next and leaves the best to the very end.
A must read for 2019!
Highly Recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.
She has every reason to feel conflicted - he's the man who gave her a childhood filled with happy memories.
But he has also just served seventeen years for the murder of her mother.
Now, Izzy's father sends her a letter. He wants to talk, to defend himself against each piece of evidence from his trial.
But should she give him the benefit of the doubt?
Or is her father guilty as charged, and luring her into a trap?
This is an utterly amazing thriller,
The story is told in a very good way in that the past and present are told in alternating way and we get to find out facts about the case in drips.
Lots of twists and turns and keeps you wanting to know whats going to happen next and leaves the best to the very end.
A must read for 2019!
Highly Recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Your Closest Friend in Books
Jul 7, 2018
What a unique story and nothing like anything I've read before. You are thrown into the middle of a terrorist attack at the beginning of the story and not knowing whether she is going to survive or not, Cara confides her deepest secrets to the young lady who plucked her to safety. Secrets that should have stayed hidden as they are now used against her.
The writing style is easy to read and flows really well with each chapter written from the perspectives of the 2 main characters - Cara and Amy - which works extremely well for this book and the story. I did feel there was a bit of a lull in the middle but it certainly makes up for it as we move towards the thrilling conclusion.
Never having read anything by these authors before (Paul Perry and Karen Gillece ), I will most certainly keep my eyes open in future and thank you to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for once again introducing me to yet another great book that would likely have passed me by.
The writing style is easy to read and flows really well with each chapter written from the perspectives of the 2 main characters - Cara and Amy - which works extremely well for this book and the story. I did feel there was a bit of a lull in the middle but it certainly makes up for it as we move towards the thrilling conclusion.
Never having read anything by these authors before (Paul Perry and Karen Gillece ), I will most certainly keep my eyes open in future and thank you to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for once again introducing me to yet another great book that would likely have passed me by.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Down to the Woods in Books
Nov 3, 2018
This is only the second of M.J. Arlidge's books starring DI Helen Grace that I have read but the eighth in the series however I don't feel it absolutely necessary to have read them all as this stands up well on its own.
What a great story this is with scenes of peril, suspense, graphic descriptions of the aftermath of gruesome murders, twists, turns and red herrings, with fantastic and interesting characters especially DI Grace and the introduction of a new character, DS Joseph Hudson [I am very interested to see how their relationship develops in future stories] and all wrapped up in a great mystery set in the beautiful setting of The New Forest ... what more could you want?
Definitely recommended to fellow readers who don't mind a bit of blood mixed with action ... M.J. Arlidge does not disappoint with this book and my thanks go to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
What a great story this is with scenes of peril, suspense, graphic descriptions of the aftermath of gruesome murders, twists, turns and red herrings, with fantastic and interesting characters especially DI Grace and the introduction of a new character, DS Joseph Hudson [I am very interested to see how their relationship develops in future stories] and all wrapped up in a great mystery set in the beautiful setting of The New Forest ... what more could you want?
Definitely recommended to fellow readers who don't mind a bit of blood mixed with action ... M.J. Arlidge does not disappoint with this book and my thanks go to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
A little gem
What a little gem this is - totally gripping, full of atmosphere, tension and general creepiness all set in the stunning but isolated Scottish island of Rum which creates a sense of trepidation all on its own.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated We Can See You in Books
Jul 7, 2019
Good but not his best
I am a massive Simon Kernick fan and devour his books as soon as I get my hands on them but this one wasn't devoured as much as nibbled on over a couple of days whilst relaxing in the sunshine on my recent holiday.
It's well written, easy to read and a good story but I did find it a little predictable and, at times, stretched reality a little too much even for a work of fiction. The characters are well developed but I didn't find myself becoming invested in them as much I would have liked so wasn't particularly bothered what their ultimate fates would be.
There are the usual twists, turns and surprising revelations that Mr Kernick has a knack of smacking you round the face with which make you keep reading; it just didn't hit the mark quite as much for me as his other books have but it's still enjoyable and worth reading.
My thanks must go to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
It's well written, easy to read and a good story but I did find it a little predictable and, at times, stretched reality a little too much even for a work of fiction. The characters are well developed but I didn't find myself becoming invested in them as much I would have liked so wasn't particularly bothered what their ultimate fates would be.
There are the usual twists, turns and surprising revelations that Mr Kernick has a knack of smacking you round the face with which make you keep reading; it just didn't hit the mark quite as much for me as his other books have but it's still enjoyable and worth reading.
My thanks must go to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Avengers (2012) in Movies
Mar 26, 2020
Known in the UK as 'Avenger's Assemble' (to avoid confusion with the other Avengers film!), this was the first of the MCUs big-screen cross-overs, bringing Captain America, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Bruce Banner/The Hulk (here played by Mark Ruffalo instead of Ed Norton), Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye (and not forgetting Agent Coulson, pre TVs Agents of SHIELD!) all together for the very first time to face off against Thor's brother Loki, returned from the (supposed) dead and at the head of an army of Chitauri - with the post-credit sting revealing, for the very first time, just how is the 'big bad' behind the entire thing!
That 'Battle of New York' at the end of the film would have further ramifications down the line in both the movie and TV side of things for Marvel, with the (not shown here) clean up activities afterwards even providing the impetus for one of the newer (at the time of writing) releases, in Phase III's Spiderman: Homecoming
That 'Battle of New York' at the end of the film would have further ramifications down the line in both the movie and TV side of things for Marvel, with the (not shown here) clean up activities afterwards even providing the impetus for one of the newer (at the time of writing) releases, in Phase III's Spiderman: Homecoming
