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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Jigsaw Man in Books
Feb 21, 2021
This is a gruesome and dark thriller and it's great!!
I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this. If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.
The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.
I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture.
This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!
Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this. If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.
The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.
I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture.
This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!
Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ultraviolet in TV
Jan 3, 2021
British horror-thriller resists the temptation of going camp and is all the better for it. London cop Mike Colefield discovers the existence of a secretive government agency hunting blood-drinking, mirror-averse immortals and is eventually recruited by them. But can they uncover the enemy's plans before internal tensions tear the team apart?
One of the many post-X Files genre shows to appear in the UK in the late 90s, but much better than most of them, largely because it resists the temptation to go overboard with the flashy fantasy elements: vampires rarely appear in the early episodes and this more closely resembles a police procedural show. But definitely a horror series, and an effective one for the most part, written and played with great skill. Starts off as an episodic show before the serial elements gradually take over - the standalone episodes are best - and comes up with some clever new spins on vampire lore. One wishes they could have made more than just the six episodes (plus a US pilot with a mostly different cast and rather different approach), but as it this this definitely counts as small but perfectly formed.
One of the many post-X Files genre shows to appear in the UK in the late 90s, but much better than most of them, largely because it resists the temptation to go overboard with the flashy fantasy elements: vampires rarely appear in the early episodes and this more closely resembles a police procedural show. But definitely a horror series, and an effective one for the most part, written and played with great skill. Starts off as an episodic show before the serial elements gradually take over - the standalone episodes are best - and comes up with some clever new spins on vampire lore. One wishes they could have made more than just the six episodes (plus a US pilot with a mostly different cast and rather different approach), but as it this this definitely counts as small but perfectly formed.
The House is a taut political thriller, packed full of intrigue, secrets, corruption and betrayal. The setting is Westminster - somewhere that Tom Watson has an intimate knowledge of. And you can tell. There are nooks, crannies and offices described in here that I’ve never even heard of - and sneaky back doors too!
The story itself seemed multi-layered and quite complex to begin with, and I have to admit to struggling with the amount of names I needed to remember (this is typical of me though, to be honest!), but once I had them all straight in my head after a couple of staves, I was able to enjoy it much more.
The story tied together really nicely towards the end - the seemingly different stories coming together and resolving - but it was left on a bit of a cliffhanger. And do you know? I think I would probably read another book set in this world of the UK Parliament. I liked the characters, and particularly the unlikeable characters intrigued me (I’m nothing if not predictable!). It’ll be interesting to see where another book takes us!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this, I really enjoyed it.
The story itself seemed multi-layered and quite complex to begin with, and I have to admit to struggling with the amount of names I needed to remember (this is typical of me though, to be honest!), but once I had them all straight in my head after a couple of staves, I was able to enjoy it much more.
The story tied together really nicely towards the end - the seemingly different stories coming together and resolving - but it was left on a bit of a cliffhanger. And do you know? I think I would probably read another book set in this world of the UK Parliament. I liked the characters, and particularly the unlikeable characters intrigued me (I’m nothing if not predictable!). It’ll be interesting to see where another book takes us!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this, I really enjoyed it.
Adam Lambert recommended track Zombie by The Cranberries in Something Else by The Cranberries in Music (curated)
6.0
Album
Favorite
Edgar Wright recommended This Is Spinal Tap (1984) in Movies (curated)
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Devil You Know: Stories of Human Cruelty and Compassion in Books
Jul 16, 2021
This book is a fantastic read into the real life work of a psychiatrist and the struggles that she faces with both the system and her clients.
Throughout, Dr Adshead tells us of different cases she has dealt with throughout her career but also intersperses it with facts and makes sure that they are backed up with sources too.
We follow her as she deals with murderers, arsonists, sex offenders and stalkers, and we get a rare insight into why they committed these offences. We also are able to read her own thoughts into the offenders and the difference that extra funding into health care would make.
This is definitely a book that anyone with an interest into mental health and those currently working in mental health would benefit from, even if it’s just for the reason that someone agrees that mental health services in the UK are completely underfunded and at crisis point, and have been that way for years.
Thank you so much to Dr Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne for writing this insightful look into the world of psychiatry and mental health and to the team at Pigeonhole for allowing me to read it.
Throughout, Dr Adshead tells us of different cases she has dealt with throughout her career but also intersperses it with facts and makes sure that they are backed up with sources too.
We follow her as she deals with murderers, arsonists, sex offenders and stalkers, and we get a rare insight into why they committed these offences. We also are able to read her own thoughts into the offenders and the difference that extra funding into health care would make.
This is definitely a book that anyone with an interest into mental health and those currently working in mental health would benefit from, even if it’s just for the reason that someone agrees that mental health services in the UK are completely underfunded and at crisis point, and have been that way for years.
Thank you so much to Dr Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne for writing this insightful look into the world of psychiatry and mental health and to the team at Pigeonhole for allowing me to read it.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated Back to Nature: How to love life - and save it. in Books
Jul 20, 2021
Back to Nature was written during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it illustrates how much many people relied on the natural world at a time when we were confined to our own living spaces during the first lockdown in the UK. Those with gardens discovered a space filled with nature, and if they didn’t they avidly watched the Self-Isolating Bird Club on social media every morning to discover tips on how to invite nature into their lives. Those without gardens were able to find little pockets of nature on their daily walks.
This book talks about how we can preserve nature, and how important it is to do so. It talks about how it’s not just up to the individual to put a stop to Climate Change, but it’s also the responsibility of big business and governments globally. It shows the mistakes that have been made, and how local groups are trying to do their bit to save nature.
Chris’ sections look at the big picture, and Megans look at more detailed aspects of nature - which are linked to the wider considerations.
It’s a really interesting, well-written and accessible book.
This book talks about how we can preserve nature, and how important it is to do so. It talks about how it’s not just up to the individual to put a stop to Climate Change, but it’s also the responsibility of big business and governments globally. It shows the mistakes that have been made, and how local groups are trying to do their bit to save nature.
Chris’ sections look at the big picture, and Megans look at more detailed aspects of nature - which are linked to the wider considerations.
It’s a really interesting, well-written and accessible book.
Having previously read and enjoyed "Stalker" by Lisa Stone, I certainly wasn't going to pass the opportunity to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.
What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.
Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.
The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.
Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.
Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.
The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.
Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Lingus in Books
Jan 12, 2021
4.5 stars.
I'll start by saying that the only reason I read this was because of this reading list on BookLikes: http://booklikes.com/apps/reading-lists/146/books-to-fall-in-love-with
And I'm really glad that I did because despite the cover, which I'll admit put me off quite a bit, I really enjoyed this story. I totally get the cover now too after reading it.
To put it bluntly one of the main characters is a porn star and our lead female meets him at a porn convention (I didn't even know these existed! Maybe it's more of an American thing since I've never heard of them in the UK). And they meet and get along famously. From there it's a series of meetings and get-togethers with other friends that eventually leads to something more and I LOVED IT!
I'm a sucker for a good romance with an interesting plot and this certainly had that. I loved Triston. And Kat. And the rest of the gang, including the dog!
If you like a funny read with sex toys, romance and crazy friends then this would be the perfect read for you.
I'll start by saying that the only reason I read this was because of this reading list on BookLikes: http://booklikes.com/apps/reading-lists/146/books-to-fall-in-love-with
And I'm really glad that I did because despite the cover, which I'll admit put me off quite a bit, I really enjoyed this story. I totally get the cover now too after reading it.
To put it bluntly one of the main characters is a porn star and our lead female meets him at a porn convention (I didn't even know these existed! Maybe it's more of an American thing since I've never heard of them in the UK). And they meet and get along famously. From there it's a series of meetings and get-togethers with other friends that eventually leads to something more and I LOVED IT!
I'm a sucker for a good romance with an interesting plot and this certainly had that. I loved Triston. And Kat. And the rest of the gang, including the dog!
If you like a funny read with sex toys, romance and crazy friends then this would be the perfect read for you.
