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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Hallowed Out in Books
Aug 17, 2022
Haunted Tour Ends in Mystery
Julia Snowden has gotten roped into an effort to bring some tourists to town during October via a haunted homes tour. One of the stops is Gus’s restaurant where a rumrunner was killed by gangsters during Prohibition. An actor has been brought in to help with the reenactment, but the night of the first tour, he is shot when the lights go out. Who did it?
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
David McK (3576 KP) rated Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) in Movies
Jan 3, 2022
I remember watching the first Ice Age film, way back not long after it came out, in about 2002 or thereabouts.
While it was enjoyable enough, it was also - I felt - nothing special (with Scrat the sabre-toothed squirrel stealing the show).
The franchise itself, as a whole, is proof of the old truism that sequels are never as good as the original, with each instalment struggling to match its predecessor.
This is the fifth movie in said franchise, and the core cast of characters has grown to almost unwieldy proportions: no longer just Sid, Manny and Diego but now also grown to encompass (both literally and metaphorically) their families.
The plot? With a meteor hurtling towards Earth (blame Scrat) an din danger of causing another mass-extinction event, Syd, Manny and co have to find a way of saving their way of life while also coming to terms with the fact that their daughter (wait? When did she appear gain?) is now all grown up and can make her own decisions.
The result? It's a pleasant enough way to spend about an hour and a half or so, but not a film I'd be rushing back to see.
While it was enjoyable enough, it was also - I felt - nothing special (with Scrat the sabre-toothed squirrel stealing the show).
The franchise itself, as a whole, is proof of the old truism that sequels are never as good as the original, with each instalment struggling to match its predecessor.
This is the fifth movie in said franchise, and the core cast of characters has grown to almost unwieldy proportions: no longer just Sid, Manny and Diego but now also grown to encompass (both literally and metaphorically) their families.
The plot? With a meteor hurtling towards Earth (blame Scrat) an din danger of causing another mass-extinction event, Syd, Manny and co have to find a way of saving their way of life while also coming to terms with the fact that their daughter (wait? When did she appear gain?) is now all grown up and can make her own decisions.
The result? It's a pleasant enough way to spend about an hour and a half or so, but not a film I'd be rushing back to see.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Yule Log Murder in Books
Dec 1, 2022
Christmas Murder on a Film Set
News has broken that a major Hollywood movie is going to be filmed just outside of town, and many of the townspeople are going to be used as extras. Lucy manages to snag one of those spots, but her joy turns to sorrow when a young woman dies on the set. The police seem quick to settle on a killer, but Lucy suspects that something else is going on. Can she figure things out?
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
Merissa (13063 KP) rated Estranged in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Set in dystopian/post-apocalyptic urban surroundings, Kalei is a police officer who keeps trying to gain entrance into SWORDE - a crack team who deals with Estranged. Kalei lost her parents and sister to the Estranged, and so she wants nothing more. This all changes one evening when her home is attacked and she becomes Estranged too. Now she not only has to deal with losing her family but becoming the very person she has sworn to kill.
This is an enjoyable story that is full of action. It became a bit difficult to read halfway through, simply due to the amount of action that was taking place, plus the 'street talk' that was prevalent. It did even itself out though, and once again, became a thrilling read. With plenty of twists and turns, you don't ever see what is coming before the author wants you to.
This story is all wrapped up in this book, but it has been left open for a sequel. I hope that the story does continue as I would love to carry on with Kalei's story. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2016
This is an enjoyable story that is full of action. It became a bit difficult to read halfway through, simply due to the amount of action that was taking place, plus the 'street talk' that was prevalent. It did even itself out though, and once again, became a thrilling read. With plenty of twists and turns, you don't ever see what is coming before the author wants you to.
This story is all wrapped up in this book, but it has been left open for a sequel. I hope that the story does continue as I would love to carry on with Kalei's story. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2016
The Women
10.0
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From the worldwide bestselling author of The Four Winds, The Nightingale and Firefly Lane (a Number...
Historical fiction Vietnam war
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated In the Event of Murder in Books
Aug 22, 2024
More Event Than Murder
It’s the final week of the year, which means it is time for the annual fundraiser for the library in Silvercrest, Colorado. Like the rest of the town, Emma Starrs is thrilled that the cast of Chasers, the popular mystery TV show, is coming to town to headline the events. However, when murder threatens the event, Emma is asked to step in and help make sure the gala on New Year’s Eve goes off without a hitch. Can she do that?
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Once Upon a Wardrobe in Books
Nov 13, 2024 (Updated Nov 13, 2024)
Mixed Journey of Self-Discovery
Megs’s younger brother George has a heart defect that keeps him in bed reading. It’s 1950, and he’s just discovered The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and he wants to know where Narnia came from. Since Megs is at Oxford, she goes to ask the author himself. But will C.S. Lewis’s answer help Megs and George?
I’ve been a Narnia fan since I first read the books in 3rd grade, so the premise of this book intrigued. However, it didn’t work for me. It felt too scattered, with too many storylines. It’s part biography of C.S. Lewis with vignettes about his life. It’s part coming of age story for Megs. I see where the author was trying to combine them thematically, but it didn’t quite work for me. I needed a bit more focus on something. Plus, some events in the story really strained what I could believe. But I did enjoy the characters, and I found myself tearing up a time or two. If the premise really intrigues you, check it out. Otherwise, give this one a pass.
I’ve been a Narnia fan since I first read the books in 3rd grade, so the premise of this book intrigued. However, it didn’t work for me. It felt too scattered, with too many storylines. It’s part biography of C.S. Lewis with vignettes about his life. It’s part coming of age story for Megs. I see where the author was trying to combine them thematically, but it didn’t quite work for me. I needed a bit more focus on something. Plus, some events in the story really strained what I could believe. But I did enjoy the characters, and I found myself tearing up a time or two. If the premise really intrigues you, check it out. Otherwise, give this one a pass.
ClareR (5911 KP) rated The Bell Witches in Books
Mar 16, 2025
I don’t read much YA anymore, but when I do I realise just how much I enjoy it (and wonder why I don’t read more of it 🤷🏼♀️).
A winning combination for me is the supernatural and coming of age.
Emily is recently orphaned and has been taken to live with her rich grandmother in Savannah. She learns that her fathers side of the family has an unusual and rich family history. On her 17th birthday, Emily will become a fully fledged witch at a special ceremony. However her new boyfriend may risk everything.
There are some great characters: a haughty, glamorous grandmother, a resentful aunt, a very attractive boyfriend, and some great new friends.
This is the start of a new series, which I hope will be as exciting as this first book. Ashleigh Haddad narrated this so well - although I feel an accent for Emily might have helped show just how much out of her comfort zone she was (she had never lived in the US, she’d last lived in Wales).
If you’re a fan of all things witchy, then you’ll probably enjoy this as much as I did!
A winning combination for me is the supernatural and coming of age.
Emily is recently orphaned and has been taken to live with her rich grandmother in Savannah. She learns that her fathers side of the family has an unusual and rich family history. On her 17th birthday, Emily will become a fully fledged witch at a special ceremony. However her new boyfriend may risk everything.
There are some great characters: a haughty, glamorous grandmother, a resentful aunt, a very attractive boyfriend, and some great new friends.
This is the start of a new series, which I hope will be as exciting as this first book. Ashleigh Haddad narrated this so well - although I feel an accent for Emily might have helped show just how much out of her comfort zone she was (she had never lived in the US, she’d last lived in Wales).
If you’re a fan of all things witchy, then you’ll probably enjoy this as much as I did!
No Hallowed Ground
8.0
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In a relentless chase across Missouri, four brave souls confront a hidden cabal of Confederate...
Lindsay (1771 KP) rated The Pretender (Mifflin County Mystery #3) in Books
Aug 14, 2025
We are introduced to Anthony, who is working while waiting for a young woman who is running late for her shift. This young woman, who goes by the name Eileen Person. She came on, tears in her eyes, and she seemed ashamed at what she did.
They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.
We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life.
Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband? The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.
Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?
They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.
We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life.
Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband? The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.
Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?