Search

Search only in certain items:

DG
DV8: Gods and Monsters
Brian Wood | 2011
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a fantastic series. It is a shame that more people don't know about it. As a sequel to the first DV8, the first thing I noticed about this comic is that the artwork is so much better than the first. In fact, I find it beautiful.

The story line is one of the best I have read in a long time. These eight people with powers are dropped onto a primitive planet where they are seen as gods. The story is told through Copy Cat, or Gem, who has the power to control people but also has split personalities. The story begins with her sitting in an interrogation cell. As she explains what happened to them after they were dropped on the planet, the art flashback to show what happened in the past.

Such an intriguing story that had me entranced from page one. I couldn't put it down. A must read for the comic fan looking for a different type of story.
  
Murder In Steeple Martin
Murder In Steeple Martin
Lesley Cookman | 2006 | Crime, Mystery
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Slow starter but soon pulls you in
This book starts a little slowly but very soon rewards those who stick with it and becomes one of the most engaging books I have read in a long time. Vaguely reminiscent of Agatha Raisin, in that the heroine is a dumpy middle-aged, neurotic woman who lives in deeply rural England with a cat. Yet this is by no means a rip-off.

Somewhat less manic than A.R., both series carry on an old and well-established style of British Mystery writing. That said, it is clear that Lesley Cookman has gone out of her way to break some of the rules. For example there is only -shock, horror!- *one* murder in her book;her characters have no access to the Police enquiry, so are working completly in the dark; and as much as she can she has avoided having characters do obviously stupid things.

This is not an earth-shattering book, but it is a thoroughly good read.
  
Hanna (2011)
Hanna (2011)
2011 | Action, Mystery
Saoirse Ronan (0 more)
Did you know that "Lady Bird" star Saoirse Ronan and "Darkest Hour" director, Joe Wright, teamed up for this fantastic action/thriller in 2011?

Within the wilderness of Finland, A teenage girl is raised by her CIA father to be the perfect assassin. She is then sent on a killing spree across Europe while pursued by other agents and Cate Blanchett.


The intensity of the action scenes and the cat-and-mouse aspects of the chases are really top notch. As I get to know the work of Saoirse Ronan, I love her more and more. Especially her ability with foreign accents (she is really very Irish)


I have to also mention the camera work and structure of much of the film is unique. You do not feel like you have seen this type of film before.


Give it a chance. You will not be disappointed!


  
40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) Feb 2, 2018

For sure!

Charlie Harris is helping put together a display about the various teen detectives for the Athena Public Library. Since he’s a fan of the little known Veronica Thane series, he’s hoping to highlight it. He’s delighted to learn that the author lives nearby and is willing to make a rare appearance during that time. But news that she will be there brings out some obsessed fans, and a murder quickly follows. Can Charlie figure out what happened?

As a fan of teen detectives myself, I found this book a lot of fun. The mystery was strong with a few elements from the teen detective genre thrown in for good measure, which added to the plot. We didn’t see quite as much of the supporting cast as usual, but the new characters more than made up for it, and Diesel, Charlie’s cat, is as charming as ever.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-silence-of-library-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
NC
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Athena College Library has a new director, and Oscar Reilly seems determined to drive all the staff away. The heads of the library’s departments hate him and Charlie’s friend Melba is ready to quit. In fact, Charlie’s issue, that Oscar is claiming allergies as a reason that Charlie can’t bring his cat Diesel to work anymore, seems minor. It’s not terribly surprising when Oscar turns up dead, but who actually killed him?

Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Athena College is playing host to the Southern Academic Libraries Association convention and Charlie Harris’s old grad school classmate Gavin Fong is giving the keynote address. Charlie doesn’t have fond memories of Gavin, and an encounter opening night proves that Gavin is still as arrogant as ever. But when Gavin collapses and dies in the middle of his speech, Charlie is surprised. Yes, Gavin was a jerk, but who hated him enough to kill him?

As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Purrder She Wrote
Purrder She Wrote
Cate Conte | 2018 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Purrfectly Fun Return Visit
It’s opening day for Maddie James’ new cat café on Daybreak Island. However, the day has hardly started when Adele, one of her volunteers, gets into a shouting match with socialite Holly over one of the cats. When Holly turns up dead, naturally Adele becomes a suspect. Maddie is sure the police are missing something. Can she figure out what it is?

I love the setting of this series. Daybreak Island is a place I’d love to visit – between the murders, of course. The mystery gets a bit sidetracked early on here due to some strong sub-plots, but I was enjoying those sub-plots as well, and things get back on track before too long with a surprising ending. The suspects are all strong, but it’s the main characters who made me excited to return to this series. They are all fantastic, and spending time with them was as enjoyable as spending time in the setting.
  
    Vignettes

    Vignettes

    Games and Stickers

    7.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    **iPhone 5/iPad Mini 2 or higher recommended** Vignettes is a casual but unique exploration game...