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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Murder at Blackwater Bend in Books
May 13, 2022 (Updated May 13, 2022)
Fishing for Bodies
August 1905 finds American heiress Stella Kendrick and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst planning their wedding as they get to know each other better. Things hit a snag when they find a dead body in a nearby river one morning while fly fishing. The victim was their neighbor, Lord Fairbrother. He wasn’t a nice man and seemed to have multiple enemies. However, suspicion falls on the local snake catcher, someone that Stella has befriended. Can she and Lyndy figure out what really happened?
I enjoyed the first in the series, but I found this one even better. The story is tight with lots to keep us hooked. I was impressed with how it all came together at the end. I do find Stella’s father horrible at times, which is my only negative. Lyndy’s mother, while still annoying, is more on the amusing side. The rest of the cast is charming, and Lyndy and Stella are wonderful leads. You can’t help but root for them. We get the story from multiple viewpoints, but it is always clear when we are switching things up. I’m already looking forward to finding out what happens to these characters next.
I enjoyed the first in the series, but I found this one even better. The story is tight with lots to keep us hooked. I was impressed with how it all came together at the end. I do find Stella’s father horrible at times, which is my only negative. Lyndy’s mother, while still annoying, is more on the amusing side. The rest of the cast is charming, and Lyndy and Stella are wonderful leads. You can’t help but root for them. We get the story from multiple viewpoints, but it is always clear when we are switching things up. I’m already looking forward to finding out what happens to these characters next.
ClareR (6062 KP) rated Barrowbeck in Books
Aug 5, 2025
If I could inject this story into my veins, I would. That, dear reader, is just how much I loved it.
Barrowbeck starts off as a cautionary folk tale (more the “everyone dies horribly” type, granted, but it still has a hint of the myth and legend about it), and then each story brings us closer to the modern day and beyond.
There is something in Barrowbeck that needs payment of some sort - a devil or a demon? We never see it, but we do see what it drives people to.
I don’t know if I could even describe what happens in this. It’s a series of interlinking short stories, and I didn’t know where I was being taken next, but I was happy to go! There were some seriously sinister stories in this gem of a book. The last story, although extreme, really didn’t feel all that far fetched. The extreme ramifications of Climate Change are only around the corner, after all.
This is a firm favourite - wonderful writing, and a really unnerving collection of stories. And if you haven’t read Starve Acre yet, get on it!
Barrowbeck starts off as a cautionary folk tale (more the “everyone dies horribly” type, granted, but it still has a hint of the myth and legend about it), and then each story brings us closer to the modern day and beyond.
There is something in Barrowbeck that needs payment of some sort - a devil or a demon? We never see it, but we do see what it drives people to.
I don’t know if I could even describe what happens in this. It’s a series of interlinking short stories, and I didn’t know where I was being taken next, but I was happy to go! There were some seriously sinister stories in this gem of a book. The last story, although extreme, really didn’t feel all that far fetched. The extreme ramifications of Climate Change are only around the corner, after all.
This is a firm favourite - wonderful writing, and a really unnerving collection of stories. And if you haven’t read Starve Acre yet, get on it!
The Witless Protection Program
10.0
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In the fifth Catering Hall Mystery by Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico, series sleuth Mia...
Melja Gregory (2 KP) rated The Name of the Wind in Books
Jan 5, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)
Never expect an end to a great series
Wonderful book but a warning, don't expect to finish the series. The author seems to literally postpone writing the last, or at least next, book in the series for anything, and I mean anything. Like playing video games, and he brags/laughs about it on his social media. So not sure I should recommend this book no matter how good the series is, because the author seems very unmotivated to finish the cliffhanger you are left with in the second book.
A great series that may start a bit slow, but picks up fairly quickly as we go throughout the main characters life. The first book leads into the second, and the second should lead to a third, but once again the problem is you are left in the second before what feels like the big climax that if the third ever happens should be an epic conclusion.
A great series that may start a bit slow, but picks up fairly quickly as we go throughout the main characters life. The first book leads into the second, and the second should lead to a third, but once again the problem is you are left in the second before what feels like the big climax that if the third ever happens should be an epic conclusion.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Story Thieves (Story Thieves, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Owen lives in the world of his favorite books – at least in his mind. But when he meets Bethany emerging from a book, he realizes he might be able to do that for real. Despite Bethany’s strict rules, Owen tricks her into going and changing the outcome of the sixth Kiel Gnomefoot book. However, the consequences are more than he bargained for. Will he and Bethany be able to return things to the way they should be?
Having dreamed of jumping into books myself, I loved the premise of this book even before I read it. It delivered on the promise in spades. I wasn’t super impressed with the Kiel Gnomefoot story within the story, but that was a minor complaint. The plot overall was very engrossing and the characters were fun. I can’t wait to see what happens to Owen and Bethany next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-story-thieves-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Having dreamed of jumping into books myself, I loved the premise of this book even before I read it. It delivered on the promise in spades. I wasn’t super impressed with the Kiel Gnomefoot story within the story, but that was a minor complaint. The plot overall was very engrossing and the characters were fun. I can’t wait to see what happens to Owen and Bethany next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-story-thieves-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Assaulted Pretzel (An Amish Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Everyone, English and Amish alike, are talking about toy maker Rob Karble being in town to make a deal to distribute toys made by the local Amish. However, not too long after word leaks he intends to use his factory instead of the local Amish, he is found murdered. Once again, Claire Weatherly finds herself getting involved to clear her new Amish friends.
I still can’t get over how strong the characters in this series are. They pull you in and make you care about every page. The plot is good, and kept me guessing until the end. I did find the romantic triangle a bit too prominent, and yet with the way it ended, I can’t wait to find out what happens next there as well. The strong characters are to blame for that contradiction.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-assaulted-pretzel-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I still can’t get over how strong the characters in this series are. They pull you in and make you care about every page. The plot is good, and kept me guessing until the end. I did find the romantic triangle a bit too prominent, and yet with the way it ended, I can’t wait to find out what happens next there as well. The strong characters are to blame for that contradiction.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-assaulted-pretzel-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Gail (4 KP) rated All the Broken Places (The Healing Edge, #1) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
All the Broken Places by Anise Eden
Four Stars
This book was written really well. The author gave details and meanings to things we wouldn’t know. Cate is a promising therapist but she can’t seem to get over the death of her mother and her new found empathy. I didn’t really understand her character. She wanted help but was the road block that kept getting in the helps way. The story starts off really slow for me. There isn’t much build up or suspense. Cate's character felt lacking. Ben seem out of place in the story. Like he was the leader but not really the leader. I didn’t really understand the story concept. The flow of the story was really good it was very consistent. I give it four stars because it might not be a book I overly enjoyed someone else might love it. The characters were simple. I know I will read book two just because I want to know what happens next.
Four Stars
This book was written really well. The author gave details and meanings to things we wouldn’t know. Cate is a promising therapist but she can’t seem to get over the death of her mother and her new found empathy. I didn’t really understand her character. She wanted help but was the road block that kept getting in the helps way. The story starts off really slow for me. There isn’t much build up or suspense. Cate's character felt lacking. Ben seem out of place in the story. Like he was the leader but not really the leader. I didn’t really understand the story concept. The flow of the story was really good it was very consistent. I give it four stars because it might not be a book I overly enjoyed someone else might love it. The characters were simple. I know I will read book two just because I want to know what happens next.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Surviving ELE (ELE, #4) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #2)
6.5
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Elena Gilbert is once again at the center of magic and danger beyond her imagining. And this time,...
The Daughter's Secret
4.0
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My daughter is a liar. A liar, liar, liar. And I'm starting to see where she gets it from. When...