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Traitor in the Ice
Traitor in the Ice
K. J. Maitland | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I keep saying that I don’t like reading book series. I’m clearly lying, because read them I do (historical fiction = one of my great weaknesses!)

These Daniel Pursglove books are on my list of “Series I didn’t want to read and now I’m addicted to”, and they all seem to be historical fiction mysteries. Because, y’know, I don’t like mysteries either.

So! Daniel Pursglove is a spy in the early 1600’s and here he is, embroiled in the religious goings-on of the Montagues - a family who are rumoured to shelter Catholics. King James isn’t happy.

There are loads of secrets, spooky occurrences, a murder or two and plenty of suspense. It seems very historically accurate to me: it’s winter, and everything is cold, dark and difficult to live in!

This is a series I’ll be continuing with, there are another two books so far, so that should illustrate how good they are. He’s a very likeable main character, and he’s clearly being pressurised into being a spy.

Recommended!
  
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
2025 | Action, Adventure
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Previously subtitled New World Order until it was renamed as Brave New World, this is - in many ways - more of a sequel to the oft-forgotten Edward Norton starring "The Incredible Hulk" than it is to any of the previous Captain America films.

It may help to have seen Disney Plus's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" beforehand, or even have a quick recap of the same - whilst I had watched that series when it was released, I had forgotten some (but not all) of what proved to be salient plot points for this.

Anyway, here Anthony Mackie is now the new Captain America whereas Harrison Ford is now-president Thaddeus Ross, consumed with guilt over his estrangement from his daughter Betty after the events of The Incredible Hulk, and still convinced he did the right thing in creating the Sokovia Accords that tore the Avengers apart (see: Captain America: Civil War).

This movie also - finally! - acknowledges the events of The Eternals, in particular with the body of a half-born Celestial in the ocean providing the impetus for the plot.
  
Snowy with a Chance of Murder
Snowy with a Chance of Murder
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jessica Fletcher Finds Murder at Home
When Jessica slips on the ice, her Caribbean get away turns into a stint at home in a wheelchair. But she still finds herself with a mystery to solve when a mysterious artist moves in across the street. His snow sculptures are drawing a crowd, but for the wrong reasons. Then a murder happens with potential ties to another case in town. Can Jessica figure out what is going on?

Those getting Rear Window vibes aren’t far from the setup, although Jessica still gets out quite a bit, which I was grateful for. While there is a lot happening here, I did find the pacing a bit uneven at times, but things come together wonderfully once the murder happens. I love how this book expertly captures the characters and community of Cabot Cove. Since that was the reason we loved those episodes so much, fans will love this aspect of things. With spring fast approaching, there is still time to enjoy some winter vibes with this fun book.
  
TA
The Assistant
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
43 of 235
Book
The Assistant
By S.K. Tremayne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Newly divorced Jo is delighted to move into her best friend's spare room almost rent-free. The high-tech luxury Camden flat is managed by a meticulous Home Assistant, called Electra, that takes care of the heating, the lights - and sometimes Jo even turns to her for company.

Until, late one night, Electra says one sentence that rips Jo's fragile world in two: `I know what you did.' And Jo is horrified. Because in her past she did do something terrible. Something unforgivable.

Only two other people in the whole world know Jo's secret. And they would never tell anyone. Would they? As a fierce winter brings London to a standstill, Jo begins to understand that the Assistant on the shelf doesn't just want to control Jo; it wants to destroy her.


This book was a very good reminder of why I do not have an Alex in my home! Very dark very mean and chilling to the bone. Well worth a read!