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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2324 KP) rated Pearls Gone Wild in Books
Nov 23, 2021
Retail at Christmas is Killer
It’s the week before Christmas, and Samantha Kidd is looking forward to a relaxing week off from work and the return of her boyfriend from Italy. That’s before her friend, Cat, calls upset. Cat is eight months pregnant, but her husband just announced he needs some space. Things get even worse when Cat and Samantha interrupt a burglary at Cat’s boutique only to discover her husband’s body behind the counter. Can Samantha figure out what is going on?
If you are familiar with the series, you’ll know what to expect here. We get another plot with plenty of surprises to keep us engaged the entire time. I did feel the resolution left a few things out, but it was a minor issue overall. The characters, both new and returning, are fantastic. There is some humor in the book, but it mixes well with the more serious elements, and we get some nice growth in Samantha. This book is a little edgy for a cozy, but it’s nothing too bad. Christmas is more in the background than in some cozies set during the season. Both of these are worth nothing only in passing. If you are as behind on this series as I am, you are in for a treat when you pick up this book.
If you are familiar with the series, you’ll know what to expect here. We get another plot with plenty of surprises to keep us engaged the entire time. I did feel the resolution left a few things out, but it was a minor issue overall. The characters, both new and returning, are fantastic. There is some humor in the book, but it mixes well with the more serious elements, and we get some nice growth in Samantha. This book is a little edgy for a cozy, but it’s nothing too bad. Christmas is more in the background than in some cozies set during the season. Both of these are worth nothing only in passing. If you are as behind on this series as I am, you are in for a treat when you pick up this book.
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated When Darkness Falls in Books
Mar 13, 2020
Honest Review for Free Copy of Book
When Darkness Falls by Kathleen Harryman is an extremely gripping thriller that will have readers up all night. This psychological murder mystery is uniquely written from the killer’s perspective and will have you making conclusions only to find out that you are oh so very wrong.
Tracy Bennett seems to be an average young woman. She has a typical and relatively boring job at a store and leads a typical life. Tracy has her own apartment which she shares with the mysterious Lauren. In her free time Tracy hangs out with her tow best friends Susie and Abigal. For as normal and mundane as Tracy’s life is there are things going on that are directly related to her, yet just like everyone else she remains oblivious.
There is someone terrorizing the city, though the police have prevented an all out panic. This person is suspected to be a large and rather muscular man, the press has named The Slasher. The real Slasher hates this name as they see their murders as artwork. This is the killer’s story and they take great pride in what they do. The killer is extremely aware of how forensic teams work and finds it funny playing mind games with them. The killers is also aware of how society labels them and often debates the characteristics of these traits and personality types. But just who is The Slasher? What makes them choose the seemingly random victims and how will all this affect Tracy?
I don’t know where to start when talking about what I liked best about this book. The perspective this book was written from was refreshing in how unique it was. Even once I figured out what was going on I did not want to accept it and the book always had me second guessing myself. While it may be a little confusing at times it is all explained in the end. What I liked least about this book is that there is not currently a sequel (thought I truly hope Kathleen Harryman writes one). This is one of those books that once you finish it you are left wanting more.
This book is ideal for adults and young adults who can handle reading graphic descriptions of blood and gore. Other than that there are mentions of a rape but nothing in detail. It could however, potentially give younger readers nightmares. I rate this book 4 out of 4. A word of warning, be careful when you start to read this book because you won't want to stop until its done. There was nothing in this book that I truly did not like and that alone is rare and impressive.
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Tracy Bennett seems to be an average young woman. She has a typical and relatively boring job at a store and leads a typical life. Tracy has her own apartment which she shares with the mysterious Lauren. In her free time Tracy hangs out with her tow best friends Susie and Abigal. For as normal and mundane as Tracy’s life is there are things going on that are directly related to her, yet just like everyone else she remains oblivious.
There is someone terrorizing the city, though the police have prevented an all out panic. This person is suspected to be a large and rather muscular man, the press has named The Slasher. The real Slasher hates this name as they see their murders as artwork. This is the killer’s story and they take great pride in what they do. The killer is extremely aware of how forensic teams work and finds it funny playing mind games with them. The killers is also aware of how society labels them and often debates the characteristics of these traits and personality types. But just who is The Slasher? What makes them choose the seemingly random victims and how will all this affect Tracy?
I don’t know where to start when talking about what I liked best about this book. The perspective this book was written from was refreshing in how unique it was. Even once I figured out what was going on I did not want to accept it and the book always had me second guessing myself. While it may be a little confusing at times it is all explained in the end. What I liked least about this book is that there is not currently a sequel (thought I truly hope Kathleen Harryman writes one). This is one of those books that once you finish it you are left wanting more.
This book is ideal for adults and young adults who can handle reading graphic descriptions of blood and gore. Other than that there are mentions of a rape but nothing in detail. It could however, potentially give younger readers nightmares. I rate this book 4 out of 4. A word of warning, be careful when you start to read this book because you won't want to stop until its done. There was nothing in this book that I truly did not like and that alone is rare and impressive.
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Debbiereadsbook (1416 KP) rated Out Of The Ocean in Books
Mar 25, 2018
a good solid 3 stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, was gifted my copy of this book.
Cal and Scott come together, when their boats are destroyed in the storm. They are fighting for their lives, out at sea, and the inevitable happens, they get close just as they get rescued and split up. With Scott in Germany and Cal in the States, will they fight for what they want, for WHO they want??
I liked this book, I really did, I just didn't love it. It's very well written from both Cal and Scott's point of view, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. I just, I dunno, couldn't love it!
I did find Scott a little ....insipid....a bit of a spolit brat.... when standing up to his dad! He DOES stand up to him, but only at the risk of losing Cal, when it should have been way before then for a mid 30's guy!
I just....oh! Don't you just HATE not being able to word what you want!!
It's not overly explicit, but it does get a little yukkie while they are floating in the life raft, but eating raw fish, eyes and guts and all weren't never gonna be a picnic in the park, now was it?? Bit gross!
A nice book, just one that didn't blow me away. Only short, some 100 pages, an hour reading time for.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Cal and Scott come together, when their boats are destroyed in the storm. They are fighting for their lives, out at sea, and the inevitable happens, they get close just as they get rescued and split up. With Scott in Germany and Cal in the States, will they fight for what they want, for WHO they want??
I liked this book, I really did, I just didn't love it. It's very well written from both Cal and Scott's point of view, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. I just, I dunno, couldn't love it!
I did find Scott a little ....insipid....a bit of a spolit brat.... when standing up to his dad! He DOES stand up to him, but only at the risk of losing Cal, when it should have been way before then for a mid 30's guy!
I just....oh! Don't you just HATE not being able to word what you want!!
It's not overly explicit, but it does get a little yukkie while they are floating in the life raft, but eating raw fish, eyes and guts and all weren't never gonna be a picnic in the park, now was it?? Bit gross!
A nice book, just one that didn't blow me away. Only short, some 100 pages, an hour reading time for.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Twelve Yards
Book
It shouldn't be that hard, should it? It's just a matter of placing a ball into a goal measuring...
A bit confusing at the start and one that I was unsure whether I should carry on reading, but I’m really glad that I did.
We swap between events of the present (where Elizabeth has lost her mother and goes back to Ireland and ends up discovering things about her past) and events of the past (where we find out how things actually played out and not just how they were told), finding out things from the past that are clearly not known in the present but really should be.
The story kept me engaged after the first 50 pages and that’s when I knew it would become a book that I wouldn’t want to put down and, when I did, one that I couldn’t wait to pick back up again. It’s quite a short story, and kept me guessing about what had happened in the past throughout. Even until the end I was guessing about what had happened before it was revealed - some things were easier to guess than the rest.
Graham Norton’s writing was a dream to read, it was so easy to find yourself immersed in the story and not realise how long you had been sat reading it. My only problem with it was it was a little slow to start for my liking and a little bit confusing until you got into the rhythm, but overall one that I would recommend and I’m glad that it was recommended to me.
We swap between events of the present (where Elizabeth has lost her mother and goes back to Ireland and ends up discovering things about her past) and events of the past (where we find out how things actually played out and not just how they were told), finding out things from the past that are clearly not known in the present but really should be.
The story kept me engaged after the first 50 pages and that’s when I knew it would become a book that I wouldn’t want to put down and, when I did, one that I couldn’t wait to pick back up again. It’s quite a short story, and kept me guessing about what had happened in the past throughout. Even until the end I was guessing about what had happened before it was revealed - some things were easier to guess than the rest.
Graham Norton’s writing was a dream to read, it was so easy to find yourself immersed in the story and not realise how long you had been sat reading it. My only problem with it was it was a little slow to start for my liking and a little bit confusing until you got into the rhythm, but overall one that I would recommend and I’m glad that it was recommended to me.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Shatter (Joseph O'Loughlin #3) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Let me just begin by saying this was a FANTASTIC read! This book started off intriguing and did not disappoint. It took off from about the 2nd chapter & did not let up until the very end.
It tells the story of Dr. O'Loughlin who is a psychiatrist. After completing a lecture at Bath University he gets "volunteered" by his department chair to take him place with a police matter. He is taken to a suspension bridge in the middle of a rainstorm (it is England after all) to try to prevent what appears to be a suicide. The woman is on the edge of the bridge naked, with slut written across her stomach in red lipstick, & a cell phone pressed to her ear. She looks at the doc, says, "You wouldn't understand," & jumps to her death.
It is written off as a typical suicide...& then strange things begin to happen. I don't want to say much more, but I will leave it off by saying that in the end the good doctor is left wishing he would've walked away from the hulking police officer that rainy afternoon.
I look forward to the next book in the series & a long relationship with the books of Michael Robotham. What a writer!!!
It tells the story of Dr. O'Loughlin who is a psychiatrist. After completing a lecture at Bath University he gets "volunteered" by his department chair to take him place with a police matter. He is taken to a suspension bridge in the middle of a rainstorm (it is England after all) to try to prevent what appears to be a suicide. The woman is on the edge of the bridge naked, with slut written across her stomach in red lipstick, & a cell phone pressed to her ear. She looks at the doc, says, "You wouldn't understand," & jumps to her death.
It is written off as a typical suicide...& then strange things begin to happen. I don't want to say much more, but I will leave it off by saying that in the end the good doctor is left wishing he would've walked away from the hulking police officer that rainy afternoon.
I look forward to the next book in the series & a long relationship with the books of Michael Robotham. What a writer!!!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Right Hand in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I started listening to The Right Hand with absolutely no idea what it was about, and within seconds I was entranced. Everything about this book was 5 stars or higher. The writing was right for the genre: descriptive and witty, but more focused on the point of the story than the writing itself. The pacing was perfect, the tone was awesome, and the characters were fabulous. I mean, a CIA spy who is so bad-ass and awesome at what he does that the organization doesn't even want to know how he gets his job done, only that he gets it done? How awesome is that? The plot never stopped moving, changing, turning. (And since I did listen to the audiobook, I will say, the reader did an excellent job!)
Sometimes I have long drawn out reviews and lots to say about books… and don't get me wrong, I have a lot to say about The Right Hand, but it all circles around one thing: If you like spy thrillers and adventure novels and don't mind a good murder or some bloodshed, go read this book now. This book is Exciting, entertaining, funny, emotional, and just downright awesomely cool.
Content/Recommendation: Mind language. Violence (not gruesome, but still bloody). Ages 16+
Sometimes I have long drawn out reviews and lots to say about books… and don't get me wrong, I have a lot to say about The Right Hand, but it all circles around one thing: If you like spy thrillers and adventure novels and don't mind a good murder or some bloodshed, go read this book now. This book is Exciting, entertaining, funny, emotional, and just downright awesomely cool.
Content/Recommendation: Mind language. Violence (not gruesome, but still bloody). Ages 16+
Madmen and Badmen: What Happened When British Politics Met Advertising
Book
How did a bunch of unelected, unaccountable admen end up running British politics? Sam Delaney...
Mick Hucknall recommended The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie in Music (curated)
Logan Eccles (135 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Oct 1, 2020 (Updated Oct 2, 2020)
For TRUE Hellboy fans
Ok, I know I didn't give this a super high rating but I did rate it higher than IMDBs' 5.2. Now being a fan of "Stranger Things" I was super excited when David Harbour(Hopper) was cast as Hellboy. And boy did he nail it! All the cast and crew nailed it. You could tell what they were going for as soon as the movie started.
Before I go on with my Review fans of the Ron Pearlman Hellboy who are expecting this one to be the same especially after the first official trailer came out and it did just look like the same movie. It is not. I repeat IT IS NOT. Director Neil Marshall and screenplay writer Andrew Cosby made a movie more based on Mike Mignolas' comic. I know, I know, some of you are reading this going "so did Guillermo idiot!" And yes you are right but this film is Centered around the work from start to finish. I felt like I was watching a comic. As soon as it starts black and Wight with only red popping out it gives that Hellboy comic tone. Even the makeup and structure of Hellboy in this film look more like the comic.
Though the story is somewhat similar to the original movie it is just enough different to set it apart. The ensemble of characters does a good job of that. The set up of the new characters is great and they feel like they belong as opposed to just being replacements like I thought theywould be. Sasha Lanes' Alice and Daniel Dae Kims' Major Ben Daimio are great and different. When they finally come together as a full-fledged team, in the end, I was ready for more. As unlikely as that is I hope they do get a sequel because it showed potential for one and it was really fun. However, I am sorta glad I didn't see it in theaters I feel like its a better-enjoyed movie for home.
Before I go on with my Review fans of the Ron Pearlman Hellboy who are expecting this one to be the same especially after the first official trailer came out and it did just look like the same movie. It is not. I repeat IT IS NOT. Director Neil Marshall and screenplay writer Andrew Cosby made a movie more based on Mike Mignolas' comic. I know, I know, some of you are reading this going "so did Guillermo idiot!" And yes you are right but this film is Centered around the work from start to finish. I felt like I was watching a comic. As soon as it starts black and Wight with only red popping out it gives that Hellboy comic tone. Even the makeup and structure of Hellboy in this film look more like the comic.
Though the story is somewhat similar to the original movie it is just enough different to set it apart. The ensemble of characters does a good job of that. The set up of the new characters is great and they feel like they belong as opposed to just being replacements like I thought theywould be. Sasha Lanes' Alice and Daniel Dae Kims' Major Ben Daimio are great and different. When they finally come together as a full-fledged team, in the end, I was ready for more. As unlikely as that is I hope they do get a sequel because it showed potential for one and it was really fun. However, I am sorta glad I didn't see it in theaters I feel like its a better-enjoyed movie for home.