Search
Search results
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Underwater (2020) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
When I first saw the trailer for Underwater I thought of two of my favourite undersea movies, The Abyss, Deep Star Six and Leviathon, so I was a little apprehensive to see this movie, but last night I thought I might as well check it out for myself at Cineworld and see how it plays out.
Almost 7 miles below the ocean surface a drilling rig is hit by what the crew at first believe to be an earthquake, but as tragedy unfolds upon the remaining survivors, it turns out that they have discovered something deadly in the form of some rather mean-looking underwater lifeforms that seem to be very unhappy with the drilling that is going on.
Now the survivors have to fight their way across the seabed to escape to the surface while being hunted by the creatures!
I have to say about the Underwater that at first, this looks like a movie that is certainly going to have you on the edge of your seat and for most of it it does, but with most of Kristen Stewart‘s roles she seems to be emotionless and the I did find myself losing interest in her character, that had a blonde Eminem style haircut, I found the other characters more interesting, but not that much!
Almost 7 miles below the ocean surface a drilling rig is hit by what the crew at first believe to be an earthquake, but as tragedy unfolds upon the remaining survivors, it turns out that they have discovered something deadly in the form of some rather mean-looking underwater lifeforms that seem to be very unhappy with the drilling that is going on.
Now the survivors have to fight their way across the seabed to escape to the surface while being hunted by the creatures!
I have to say about the Underwater that at first, this looks like a movie that is certainly going to have you on the edge of your seat and for most of it it does, but with most of Kristen Stewart‘s roles she seems to be emotionless and the I did find myself losing interest in her character, that had a blonde Eminem style haircut, I found the other characters more interesting, but not that much!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Invisible Assistant in Books
Jan 26, 2022
Magical Locked Room Mystery
Magician Eli Marks is surprised when his ex-wife, Deirdre, shows up at one of his magic shows with her new husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton. However, they are there seeking Eli’s advice. A recent murder/suicide inside a lock townhome appears to be open and shut to Fred, but Deirdre, a DA, is certain that something else is going on, and she is hoping that Eli’s unique view of things will help explain what really happened. Will his knowledge of magic help solve the case?
I’ve been meaning to read this story for a while, and I’m glad I finally did. This is a classic locked room mystery, and I always enjoy those. The solution was logical if a bit of a stretch. Still, I was willing to buy into it. We really only have three characters in this story, and the interaction between them was fun. As a fan of the series, I laughed at some of it, in fact. I suspect that those coming to the characters first the first time will find it just as amusing. The story is set early in the series, so fans should expect those dynamics as they read. Whether you are new to Eli’s world or not, this is a short story you’ll enjoy.
I’ve been meaning to read this story for a while, and I’m glad I finally did. This is a classic locked room mystery, and I always enjoy those. The solution was logical if a bit of a stretch. Still, I was willing to buy into it. We really only have three characters in this story, and the interaction between them was fun. As a fan of the series, I laughed at some of it, in fact. I suspect that those coming to the characters first the first time will find it just as amusing. The story is set early in the series, so fans should expect those dynamics as they read. Whether you are new to Eli’s world or not, this is a short story you’ll enjoy.
Christmas Past
8.0
Rate It
Book
Behind every Christmas tradition is a story — usually, a forgotten one. Each year, as we decorate...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Vinyl Resting Place in Books
Mar 16, 2023 (Updated Mar 16, 2023)
Vinyl May Not be Dead, but Somebody Is
Juni Jessup and her sisters have opened Sip and Spin Records, a combined record store and coffee shop, on the site of the one that their family used to own before records stopped selling. The night before their official opening, they are throwing a party, but things turn tragic afterward when Juni finds a dead body in their storage closet. When their uncle is arrested for the crime, Juni and her sisters don’t hesitate to put their shop up to get him released on bail. But then he vanishes. Can the three of them figure out what is really going on in time to save their shop?
I really enjoyed this debut. The plot takes off in a couple of different directions, and I enjoyed that creativity. I did feel it slowed down a little in the middle, but it picked up again for a fantastic climax. You can feel the history between Juni and her sisters, and I loved their relationships. There are other fun series regulars, and the suspects fit into the book perfectly. I also enjoyed the humor running through the book. The setting, a small town just outside of Austin, Texas, was charming as well. I can’t wait to revisit Juni and the rest of the characters again soon.
I really enjoyed this debut. The plot takes off in a couple of different directions, and I enjoyed that creativity. I did feel it slowed down a little in the middle, but it picked up again for a fantastic climax. You can feel the history between Juni and her sisters, and I loved their relationships. There are other fun series regulars, and the suspects fit into the book perfectly. I also enjoyed the humor running through the book. The setting, a small town just outside of Austin, Texas, was charming as well. I can’t wait to revisit Juni and the rest of the characters again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Drop (Harry Bosch #17) in Books
Jul 26, 2022
Bosch Has Two Cases Dropped on Him
LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is excited when he and his partner get handed a hot lead on a cold case from 1989. DNA from a blood sample has identified a suspect. The problem? He was eight-years-old when the murder happened. Before they can figure out what is really going on, they are handed a fresh case. Councilman Irvin Irving’s son died when he fell out of a hotel balcony. The question is, did he jump or was he pushed. Despite their previous history, Irving specifically requested Bosch work the case. Can he avoid the politics and solve both cases?
I was immediately intrigued with both of the cases presented here. Between the two, the story was always moving forward, and I had a hard time stopping before I reached the logical climax. One aspect was left opened, but it was small. One of the storylines goes pretty dark, and overall this is a darker book than I typically read, but as long as you know that, you’ll be fine. I do like Bosch, but some of his behavior to his partner was frustrating here. On the other hand, I enjoy watching his relationship with his daughter continue to grow. This is another strong entry that will please fans of the series.
I was immediately intrigued with both of the cases presented here. Between the two, the story was always moving forward, and I had a hard time stopping before I reached the logical climax. One aspect was left opened, but it was small. One of the storylines goes pretty dark, and overall this is a darker book than I typically read, but as long as you know that, you’ll be fine. I do like Bosch, but some of his behavior to his partner was frustrating here. On the other hand, I enjoy watching his relationship with his daughter continue to grow. This is another strong entry that will please fans of the series.
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Kiss Me Deadly in Books
Jun 13, 2023
Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
6 short stories, of the horror/paranormal variety.
So, here's the thing.
I like short stories, I really do. The skill with a short is, you gotta grab the reader, and hold on for those few pages and not let go.
And here, I was only grabbed once or twice, and one of those was an excerpt from another collection.
I loved the excerpt from One, which appears in Rock Paper Scissors. That really got me good and excited for this collection, it really did. I'd like to go back and read THAT particular story.
The Swinging Tree was rather good too. That certainly grabbed and didn't let go!
Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story. What Zach and Paris could get up to boggles the (obviously very twisted) mind!
But the other stories, while well written and well told, didn't grab me too much.
I think it would have better, for ME, had I not read these short stories back to back. Maybe if I had read one, then something else, then come back to these, I might have enjoyed them better.
But still, an enjoyable way to pass an hour.
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
6 short stories, of the horror/paranormal variety.
So, here's the thing.
I like short stories, I really do. The skill with a short is, you gotta grab the reader, and hold on for those few pages and not let go.
And here, I was only grabbed once or twice, and one of those was an excerpt from another collection.
I loved the excerpt from One, which appears in Rock Paper Scissors. That really got me good and excited for this collection, it really did. I'd like to go back and read THAT particular story.
The Swinging Tree was rather good too. That certainly grabbed and didn't let go!
Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story. What Zach and Paris could get up to boggles the (obviously very twisted) mind!
But the other stories, while well written and well told, didn't grab me too much.
I think it would have better, for ME, had I not read these short stories back to back. Maybe if I had read one, then something else, then come back to these, I might have enjoyed them better.
But still, an enjoyable way to pass an hour.
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Morgan Sheppard (1030 KP) created a post
Jun 23, 2026
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires, #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I found this book to be a nice change from the typical high school setting that so many Young Adult books take place in - with good reason, of course. So what if she's still only 16, she's in college! Unfortunately, she still has not outgrown the evil female clique syndrome that plague so many stories. Some elements of the story remind me of my own days in university, but the book takes them all to the extreme. On a side note, it's a good thing she's so dang smart, because from my experience, skipping classes like she does throughout the text should, in reality, result in failing grades. I guess that's the beauty of fantasy literature - you can skip all the drudgery and go straight for the exciting bits of life.
The part I did not really understand - and I am still waiting for an explanation after finishing the book - is how the psychotic Monica seems to get away with more than the resident vampires do. I mean, if the vamps both built and run the town of Morganville, it makes more sense that they would want to appear more nefarious than the lowly humans.
I also found it strangely refreshing that the vampires were wholely and completely the bad guys - no human-vampire romantic happenings, and no, Miranda the vision-plagued goth and her undead boyfriend Charles do not count. But I did find the head vampire Amelie very intriguing, since she seems less interested in bloody deaths and widespread property damage and more interested in maintaining power and protecting her assets, a trait that no other vampire in the novel seemed to exhibit.
I can not wait to get my hands on the next novel in the series, The Dead Girls' Dance, since Michael's state of ghost / not-ghost / Glass House incarnate has not been resolved enough for me at all!
The part I did not really understand - and I am still waiting for an explanation after finishing the book - is how the psychotic Monica seems to get away with more than the resident vampires do. I mean, if the vamps both built and run the town of Morganville, it makes more sense that they would want to appear more nefarious than the lowly humans.
I also found it strangely refreshing that the vampires were wholely and completely the bad guys - no human-vampire romantic happenings, and no, Miranda the vision-plagued goth and her undead boyfriend Charles do not count. But I did find the head vampire Amelie very intriguing, since she seems less interested in bloody deaths and widespread property damage and more interested in maintaining power and protecting her assets, a trait that no other vampire in the novel seemed to exhibit.
I can not wait to get my hands on the next novel in the series, The Dead Girls' Dance, since Michael's state of ghost / not-ghost / Glass House incarnate has not been resolved enough for me at all!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Rules of Burken in Books
May 22, 2019
Twenty-four-year-old Charlotte Stahl would do anything for her older brother, Ian. After all, hed done everything for her growing up.He played Burken with hera hide-and-seek game they made up as kids.He comforted her when their mom deserted them. He raised her when their dad went to prison for murder. To Charlotte, Ian is the only reason shes still alivehes her rock. So when Ian asks her to play Burken in the isolated woods of Cadillac, Michigan, Charlotte feels she could use the nostalgia and agrees. Burkenits the one thing that never changes
...until Ian threatens to kill her in the middle of the game.
More than the rules have changed as Brother turns to Predator, Sister turns to Prey, and shes navigating the forests of Northern Michigan on foot with nothing but the clothesand a targeton her back.
If Charlotte wants to stay alive, she knows she has to untangle the web of her haunting past to find out where things went wrong, and at what point she lost sight of reality. With no other choice but to reopen old woundsand with Ian hot on her trailCharlotte learns that sometimes evil has to manifest in order for good to succeed. Which makes her wonder
Is Ian really a monster? Or her savior?
WOW!! This was a totally dark and twisted thriller that will keep you riveted until the very end.
This story was nothing that I expected.
I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading right from the start.
This book reveals in horrifying detail the unraveling of a seriously toxic family. Toxic for each other and those who come into contact with them.
The characters are intriguing and complicated. The plot is full of twists.
The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.
Highly Recommend!!!
Many Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for a surprisingly superb read!!!
...until Ian threatens to kill her in the middle of the game.
More than the rules have changed as Brother turns to Predator, Sister turns to Prey, and shes navigating the forests of Northern Michigan on foot with nothing but the clothesand a targeton her back.
If Charlotte wants to stay alive, she knows she has to untangle the web of her haunting past to find out where things went wrong, and at what point she lost sight of reality. With no other choice but to reopen old woundsand with Ian hot on her trailCharlotte learns that sometimes evil has to manifest in order for good to succeed. Which makes her wonder
Is Ian really a monster? Or her savior?
WOW!! This was a totally dark and twisted thriller that will keep you riveted until the very end.
This story was nothing that I expected.
I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading right from the start.
This book reveals in horrifying detail the unraveling of a seriously toxic family. Toxic for each other and those who come into contact with them.
The characters are intriguing and complicated. The plot is full of twists.
The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.
Highly Recommend!!!
Many Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for a surprisingly superb read!!!
Merissa (14024 KP) rated Eight Goodbyes in Books
Oct 19, 2018
Eight Goodbyes by Christine Brae
Eight Goodbyes is pretty much self-explanatory from the title, however, what that doesn't give you is the emotions that are in this book from start to finish. We learn about the sheer amount of time that is given to go 'on tour', and how that time is very precious to ride the wave before the next big thing comes along. How an author is supposed to spend a year touring, and also write to get the next installment out to the fans, is beyond me.
That side of things, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. The main female though rubbed me up the wrong way. I struggled to find anything about her that was likeable. She was self-obsessed, arrogant in her status, and expected everyone to jump to her bidding. This was done at the time as pulling on the heartstrings about how tired she was, how busy she was. It just didn't work that well for me. The main male character, Simon. Now him, I loved, although I did want him to grow a bit more of a backbone with Tessa. For some reason, I am more prepared to overlook his foibles than I am Tessa's.
This story felt like a long one, with plenty of detail given in each situation. The ending I enjoyed, even if it did bring a tear to my eye. I found the ending to be different to other stories, but I won't mention why. Suffice it to say, I wanted a different ending, but this one fits perfectly for the story.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, even with the distracting main female. Still recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
That side of things, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. The main female though rubbed me up the wrong way. I struggled to find anything about her that was likeable. She was self-obsessed, arrogant in her status, and expected everyone to jump to her bidding. This was done at the time as pulling on the heartstrings about how tired she was, how busy she was. It just didn't work that well for me. The main male character, Simon. Now him, I loved, although I did want him to grow a bit more of a backbone with Tessa. For some reason, I am more prepared to overlook his foibles than I am Tessa's.
This story felt like a long one, with plenty of detail given in each situation. The ending I enjoyed, even if it did bring a tear to my eye. I found the ending to be different to other stories, but I won't mention why. Suffice it to say, I wanted a different ending, but this one fits perfectly for the story.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, even with the distracting main female. Still recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!