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Crêpe Expectations (A Pancake House Mystery Book 5)
Book
When a murder case from the past heats up again, it’s up to Marley McKinney to sort through a tall...
cozy mystery murder mystery fiction crime series
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2423 KP) rated Gingerdead Man in Books
Dec 1, 2021 (Updated Dec 1, 2021)
The Christmas Cookie of Doom
Bayport, Maryland, is kicking off the holiday season with a Victorian themed Christmas event. While Val’s granddad is upset about being demoted from Santa to Scrooge this year, Val is looking forward to helping out at the teas throughout the afternoon. The final tea of the day is for the event’s volunteers. As it is getting started, someone in a weird costume comes and starts passing out gingerbread cookies. When this year’s Santa eats his, he drops over. Can Val figure out what is going on?
I really do appreciate the relationship between Val and her granddad in these books. While Granddad is a senior citizen, he isn’t a stereotype. He acts appropriately for his age and yet still contributes to Val’s investigation. The other characters are strong enough to keep us engaged in the story and keep the suspects straight. The story seemed to wander a bit at the beginning, but I was ultimately impressed with how everything came together. Naturally, we get more five-ingredient recipes at the end of the book, including several seasonal delights. If you are looking for a cozy to curl up with this Christmas, this is one you’ll enjoy.
I really do appreciate the relationship between Val and her granddad in these books. While Granddad is a senior citizen, he isn’t a stereotype. He acts appropriately for his age and yet still contributes to Val’s investigation. The other characters are strong enough to keep us engaged in the story and keep the suspects straight. The story seemed to wander a bit at the beginning, but I was ultimately impressed with how everything came together. Naturally, we get more five-ingredient recipes at the end of the book, including several seasonal delights. If you are looking for a cozy to curl up with this Christmas, this is one you’ll enjoy.
The Plot and the Pendulum
8.0
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Halloween is approaching in Briar Creek, and things get spooky when a skeleton is found and...
Her Lustful Desires (The Merry Widows #1)
Book
A daring widow. A determined duke. A story too wicked for the eyes of the ton… Lady Georgiana,...
Historical Romance Victorian
Stick A Flag In It: 1,000 Years Of Bizarre History From Britain And Beyond
9.0
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From the Norman Invasion in 1066 to the eve of the First World War, Stick a Flag In It is a...
The Third Veil
8.0
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Two halves, one soul… Can Seven find it within her battered heart and fractured soul to trust in...
Adult Fantasy Romance Portal Fantasy Victorian
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Limehouse Golem (2016) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
The community of Limehouse in Victorian London have been rocked by a series of murders. They have called the mudered the Golem, as only such a creature could have done these heinous acts.
Elizabeth Cree, the music hall star, has been arrested for the poisoning of her husband John Cree on the same night as the last Golem murder. But when evidence is found by Inspector John Kildare that links John Cree to the murders, he sets about trying to solve both cases so that he might save Elizabeth from hanging for her crime.
Their investigation leads them to an exclusive reading room at the library, and a book on the art of murder. Within its pages are hand written notes chronicling the Golem murders to date. Only four men entered the reading room when the last entry was made; Dan Leno, Karl Marx, George Gissing and John Cree. Can the inspector eliminate the other three men and prove Cree is the Golem in order to save Elizabeth?
I was looking forward to this one. Some top actors were involved, and I love a bit of Victorian era murder. The film itself was good throughout, I can't fault it for the scenery and acting.
But...
Those of you that know me, know that I don't think about films. I'm sure I keep saying this. I watch them to have some fun, to escape reality, so what's the point in picking apart something that's made as a fiction to entertain you?
Even with me suspending my brain function for the duration of the film, I paused and thought... oh, this is what's going to happen... and it did. It felt a bit cliche, like the twist had been overused in every film like this that I'd seen. I don't think it was designed that way though. There was a clear moment in the film where they want you to know what is happening, but the realisation of the ending cam much earlier than this. And it was disappointing. I was enjoying the film a lot until I realised what was coming. Talking to my movie buddy I discovered that I wasn't the only one who had this feeling. It's such a shame, but the twist felt so obvious to me that I was suddenly very disappointed.
I have taken to looking at Rotten Tomatoes after seeing a film, and this one is currently sitting at 77% with critics and 61% with the audience. I'd say that's about right. I've left the major spoiler out of here, but if you're familiar with this sort of story then I don't think you'd be hard pressed to work it out. It is an excellent film in it's genre, but it was let down, for me, by the obvious direction it went in.
Elizabeth Cree, the music hall star, has been arrested for the poisoning of her husband John Cree on the same night as the last Golem murder. But when evidence is found by Inspector John Kildare that links John Cree to the murders, he sets about trying to solve both cases so that he might save Elizabeth from hanging for her crime.
Their investigation leads them to an exclusive reading room at the library, and a book on the art of murder. Within its pages are hand written notes chronicling the Golem murders to date. Only four men entered the reading room when the last entry was made; Dan Leno, Karl Marx, George Gissing and John Cree. Can the inspector eliminate the other three men and prove Cree is the Golem in order to save Elizabeth?
I was looking forward to this one. Some top actors were involved, and I love a bit of Victorian era murder. The film itself was good throughout, I can't fault it for the scenery and acting.
But...
Those of you that know me, know that I don't think about films. I'm sure I keep saying this. I watch them to have some fun, to escape reality, so what's the point in picking apart something that's made as a fiction to entertain you?
Even with me suspending my brain function for the duration of the film, I paused and thought... oh, this is what's going to happen... and it did. It felt a bit cliche, like the twist had been overused in every film like this that I'd seen. I don't think it was designed that way though. There was a clear moment in the film where they want you to know what is happening, but the realisation of the ending cam much earlier than this. And it was disappointing. I was enjoying the film a lot until I realised what was coming. Talking to my movie buddy I discovered that I wasn't the only one who had this feeling. It's such a shame, but the twist felt so obvious to me that I was suddenly very disappointed.
I have taken to looking at Rotten Tomatoes after seeing a film, and this one is currently sitting at 77% with critics and 61% with the audience. I'd say that's about right. I've left the major spoiler out of here, but if you're familiar with this sort of story then I don't think you'd be hard pressed to work it out. It is an excellent film in it's genre, but it was let down, for me, by the obvious direction it went in.
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Hands of the Ripper (1971) in Movies
May 27, 2018 (Updated May 27, 2018)
Bring the Daughter; Have some Slaughter
Pretty decent Hammer horror melodrama set in a sort of grab-bag version of late Victorian London. Anna (Rees) grows up an orphan, little suspecting the identity of her father, or the fact that she seems to have inherited his compulsion to kill. An ambitious psychiatrist (Porter) takes her under his wing, believing he can help her with her little problem. (As ever, hubris comes before a gory comeuppance.) Meanwhile, Hammer whips up gallons of fake blood.
Not-bad production values and decent performances go a long way to make up for some fairly preposterous plotting; you get the classic Hammer sense of a traditional costume drama coupling energetically with a disreputable exploitation movie, with a good time had by all. On the one hand this is another tale of an improbably arrogant man whose specific area of brilliance doesn't stop him making a whole series of insanely bad decisions; on the other it is about the power of men to seriously screw up the lives of women in patriarchal societies (so perhaps still somewhat relevant). Film does an interesting little dance, too: are Anna's problems purely psychological or is she genuinely possessed by the spirit of the Ripper? Well put together, some interesting ideas, doesn't outstay its welcome - definitely worth a look if old British horror movies are your thing.
Not-bad production values and decent performances go a long way to make up for some fairly preposterous plotting; you get the classic Hammer sense of a traditional costume drama coupling energetically with a disreputable exploitation movie, with a good time had by all. On the one hand this is another tale of an improbably arrogant man whose specific area of brilliance doesn't stop him making a whole series of insanely bad decisions; on the other it is about the power of men to seriously screw up the lives of women in patriarchal societies (so perhaps still somewhat relevant). Film does an interesting little dance, too: are Anna's problems purely psychological or is she genuinely possessed by the spirit of the Ripper? Well put together, some interesting ideas, doesn't outstay its welcome - definitely worth a look if old British horror movies are your thing.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Most Noble Heir in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Such a fun and unique story! Tensions are high as we begin this story and don't release until the end. I just had to know how it was all going to work out. Hannah has severe insecurities, and although relatable, a couple times I thought I was going to have to purse whomp her. Nolan...while sweet and charming, was a bit pig-headed on a couple of occasions. Watching Hannah and Nolan work through their insecurities and fears was real and heartbreaking. But I love, LOVE, how the author infuses the situation with GOD! It is truly amazing what can happen when we let HIM lead us, heal us, and strengthen us.
Set in the Victorian era, Susan Anne Mason brings to life the upstairs/downstairs aspects and the brilliance of them intertwining in an unexpected way. Conflicted between his heart and duty, will Nolan become the heir worthy of his father's praise and Hannah's heart? Can Hannah adjust to the changes in life now demanded of her?
Filled with surprises, excitements, devastations, and romance...This is a perfect book for reading on vacation this year! So grab your copy from the library or bookstore now.
I received a complimentary copy of A Most Noble Heir from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Set in the Victorian era, Susan Anne Mason brings to life the upstairs/downstairs aspects and the brilliance of them intertwining in an unexpected way. Conflicted between his heart and duty, will Nolan become the heir worthy of his father's praise and Hannah's heart? Can Hannah adjust to the changes in life now demanded of her?
Filled with surprises, excitements, devastations, and romance...This is a perfect book for reading on vacation this year! So grab your copy from the library or bookstore now.
I received a complimentary copy of A Most Noble Heir from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.