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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 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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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Foreigner (2017) in Movies
Jan 1, 2018
Disappointing
Jackie Chan films used to be fun, entertaining and action filled, but sadly that looks to be a thing of the past.
Although this was watchable and it wasn't boring enough to turn it off, it was just so predictable and by the numbers. You knew exactly what was going to happen before it did, and some of it is a little but farfetched. It's nice to see Jackie Chan back again and the fight scenes were alright, but there was a large part of the film where he wasn't even present. The majority of the film was just talking too, where was all the action?
I'm also not entirely sure if a film about terrorists, the IRA and bombings in London (on a bus too?!) is what we want to be watching at the moment considering there's enough of it in real life on the news.
Although this was watchable and it wasn't boring enough to turn it off, it was just so predictable and by the numbers. You knew exactly what was going to happen before it did, and some of it is a little but farfetched. It's nice to see Jackie Chan back again and the fight scenes were alright, but there was a large part of the film where he wasn't even present. The majority of the film was just talking too, where was all the action?
I'm also not entirely sure if a film about terrorists, the IRA and bombings in London (on a bus too?!) is what we want to be watching at the moment considering there's enough of it in real life on the news.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Cool as Ice (1991) in Movies
Jul 16, 2018
Horrible acting (3 more)
Characters are not likeable
Lack of plot
Rap music
Errr what was it about again?
I found this to be a horrible movie and so boring. I went into it hoping it was going to be so bad it's good but it wasn't.
Firstmost I hate rap music so this was not for me. The dancing was fun but that's all there was.
I could not explain the plot to you, I didn't get it. Vanilla Ice's character was not likeable 1 bit and the other characters felt as bad. I don't even remember any of the characters names. However I do feel the female lead did the best with what she was given. The writing was pretty horrible.
Completely forgettable, wouldn't watch again. If your going to watch it for a laugh, have a few drinks with some friends.
Firstmost I hate rap music so this was not for me. The dancing was fun but that's all there was.
I could not explain the plot to you, I didn't get it. Vanilla Ice's character was not likeable 1 bit and the other characters felt as bad. I don't even remember any of the characters names. However I do feel the female lead did the best with what she was given. The writing was pretty horrible.
Completely forgettable, wouldn't watch again. If your going to watch it for a laugh, have a few drinks with some friends.
1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
Book
This work presents an intimate history of Shakespeare, following him through a single year that...
Behind the Binoculars: Interviews with Acclaimed Birdwatchers
Book
How and why did our most acclaimed birdwatchers take up birding? What were their early experiences...
Blood Water Paint
Book
A debut novel based on the true story of the iconic painter, Artemisia Gentileschi. Her mother...
Debbiereadsbook (1738 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.