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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Father Knows Death (Stay At Home Dad Mysteries #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It's county fair time in Rose Pedal, Texas, and stay at home dad Deuce Winters is helping with the 4H booth fundraiser. That's how he stumbles upon the body of George Spellman in the freezer. George was the grounds keeper of the fair and a nice guy. Who wanted him dead?
I love these characters and the humor in the series, so it is always nice to visit them. I didn't think the plot was quite as twisty as previous entries and I didn't care for the environmental lecture, but both of these were minor complaints. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-father-knows-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love these characters and the humor in the series, so it is always nice to visit them. I didn't think the plot was quite as twisty as previous entries and I didn't care for the environmental lecture, but both of these were minor complaints. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-father-knows-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Double Fudge Brownie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #18) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hannah’s trial is coming up, and she’s hoping to finally have the entire things behind her. Instead, she finds another dead body, this time the judge who was supposed to preside over her trial. With her name once again on the suspect list, Hannah must find the real killer.
While it is always fun to check in with these characters, I do enjoy a good mystery. Sadly, the mystery took a back seat to other things happening. Too many scenes were devoted to cooking. On the other hand, there is significant progress on the love triangle. And really, I do love these characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-double-fudge-brownie-murder.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While it is always fun to check in with these characters, I do enjoy a good mystery. Sadly, the mystery took a back seat to other things happening. Too many scenes were devoted to cooking. On the other hand, there is significant progress on the love triangle. And really, I do love these characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-double-fudge-brownie-murder.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Blue Labyrinth (Pendergast, #14) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
NOTE: If you haven't read anything in this series yet, Blue Labyrinth might not be the best place to start. There are returning characters from previous novels, and reading some of the earlier books (especially Relic, #1 in the series) will make this one even more enjoyable.
I love revisiting old friends and old places in this series, and the New York Museum of Natural History is by far my favorite place in Pendergasts New York. Blue Labyrinth opens with a dead body in the museum, and Margo Green called in to assist with the police investigation. Full of danger and Pendergast family drama, this installment moves along at an incredible pace, and is a great addition to the series.
I love revisiting old friends and old places in this series, and the New York Museum of Natural History is by far my favorite place in Pendergasts New York. Blue Labyrinth opens with a dead body in the museum, and Margo Green called in to assist with the police investigation. Full of danger and Pendergast family drama, this installment moves along at an incredible pace, and is a great addition to the series.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Bluffing is Murder in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While out for a run, Lauren finds the body of Charles Heard, a man she had publically argued with the previous day. Is local politics involved in his death? Or is something else in play?
The mystery in this one could have been stronger, but I did still enjoy the book. The plot was always moving forward, and the characters are great. Watching the growth between the books makes it even more interesting.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
SECOND NOTE: Tace Baker is actually a pen name for Edith Maxwell and no relation to me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-bluffing-is-murder-by-tace.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery in this one could have been stronger, but I did still enjoy the book. The plot was always moving forward, and the characters are great. Watching the growth between the books makes it even more interesting.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
SECOND NOTE: Tace Baker is actually a pen name for Edith Maxwell and no relation to me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-bluffing-is-murder-by-tace.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
ierce Fighters: Predators Nature's Toughest Go Head to Head by Lee Martin, and Paul Beck is a neat documentary on animals that brings their characteristic and put them face to face. The photographers who captured these magnificent creatures in these brief moments did a wonderful job of showcasing that predatory instinct that makes your skin shiver knowing you are about to be on the bottom of Mother Nature’s food chain.
The reader is provided a wealth of information; such as, the battles and animal statics along with where the various creatures live, their habitats. The reader learns about animal weapons, as in their body parts, which help them attack or defend themselves.
This is a great book for children who love animals and facts about animals.
The reader is provided a wealth of information; such as, the battles and animal statics along with where the various creatures live, their habitats. The reader learns about animal weapons, as in their body parts, which help them attack or defend themselves.
This is a great book for children who love animals and facts about animals.

Ross (3284 KP) rated Bottleneck in Books
Jul 16, 2018
Excellent pacing to the next Cullen adventure. A body is discovered in the hidden streets underneath Edinburgh's old town and the ensuing investigation leads them to investigate members of the Scottish music scene and venture North to Cullen's hometown of Dalhousie (loosely based on my own hometown of Carnoustie), and West to Glasgow.
The story also continues the ups and downs of Cullen's relationship with Sharon McNeill and his career aspirations, building on the previous books in the series.
This is quite a short and very pacey book that is a genuine page-turner (as the chapters are quite short it's always "one more chapter", until the cleaner gets angry at me spending too long on the toilet at work).
The story also continues the ups and downs of Cullen's relationship with Sharon McNeill and his career aspirations, building on the previous books in the series.
This is quite a short and very pacey book that is a genuine page-turner (as the chapters are quite short it's always "one more chapter", until the cleaner gets angry at me spending too long on the toilet at work).
This is a fine debut novel from the TV host. A body is unearthed in a small Irish village and PJ Collins, the local policeman, must dig through the characters’ past to find the killer. This is an exciting plot set against the humdrum of village life. The characters are believable in their mundanity, the tone of their conversation, peppered with occasional profanity, secrets and gossip, is a joy to read. The story is told with observational wit and flair but doesn’t rely too much on overplaying the Irish accent when reading. If you’re a fan of the author, I highly recommend listening to the audio version that’s available as Norton’s narration brings the characters to life, full of lilt and accent.

Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Everlasting Rose (The Belles, #2) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for provide ng me with a copy of The Everlasting Rose in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot tell a lie. The Belles was one of my favorite books of 2018 and I was thrilled when I got the chance to review this one.
I loved it. The cat-and-mouse in the beginning was so well done and Camille having no idea who to trust just added the right amount of suspense.
The Belle mythology is intriguing and horrifying and like the first book this one has no small amount of body horror.
The only "complaint" I really have is that I wish we could have met the Iron Ladies sooner. I was so fascinated by them!
I cannot tell a lie. The Belles was one of my favorite books of 2018 and I was thrilled when I got the chance to review this one.
I loved it. The cat-and-mouse in the beginning was so well done and Camille having no idea who to trust just added the right amount of suspense.
The Belle mythology is intriguing and horrifying and like the first book this one has no small amount of body horror.
The only "complaint" I really have is that I wish we could have met the Iron Ladies sooner. I was so fascinated by them!

Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Twisted (Pretty Little Liars, #9) in Books
Dec 30, 2019
Huh. I thought the story had ended.
Maybe A will hook up with Gossip Girl and they'll take on corrupt politicians?
***STOP! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS***
Now, that I've read the book. Am I the only one that kinda thinks with all the A shenanigans, the girls would never, ever keep a secret as long as they lived?
Seriously, some chick who looks like Ali (sort of) shows up in Jamaica and NONE of them think to send a pic in anonymously to a tabloid site? The conspiracy theorists are legion and somebody would have dug up something on Tabitha.
Also, it took a freaking year for the body to wash up? I find that pretty suspicious.
Poor Hanna. She's always been my favorite.
Maybe A will hook up with Gossip Girl and they'll take on corrupt politicians?
***STOP! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS***
Now, that I've read the book. Am I the only one that kinda thinks with all the A shenanigans, the girls would never, ever keep a secret as long as they lived?
Seriously, some chick who looks like Ali (sort of) shows up in Jamaica and NONE of them think to send a pic in anonymously to a tabloid site? The conspiracy theorists are legion and somebody would have dug up something on Tabitha.
Also, it took a freaking year for the body to wash up? I find that pretty suspicious.
Poor Hanna. She's always been my favorite.

Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Big (1988) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
The film that made us realise Tom Hanks wasn’t just a goon, but had some really big acting chops! Personally, I think this should have been his first Oscar; so perfect is his body / age swap interpretation (that was in vogue but never matched at the time) that you can see the younger Josh at all times during this wonderful performance. So much fun, but always grounded in the idea that being a grown up is horrible, and we shouldn’t do it! There is the iconic giant piano playing; the shimy, shimy, cocopop song, the trampoline sleepover and the white tux caviar scenes, amongst so many good moments. In the end it is his mother’s joy to have him back that breaks the heart!