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Merissa (13822 KP) rated Mist on Water in Books

Apr 18, 2023  
Mist on Water
Mist on Water
Shea Berkley | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a fairy tale going back to the ways of old - there are layers of meaning with this tale and not a Disney princess in sight! Reading this story, I am immediately reminded of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen - Fairy Tale Tellers Extraordinaire who seemed to specialise in tales with a twist, a darker kind of fairytale, the kind that gave you shivers as you huddled beneath your blankets as your parent read your bedtime story.

This book is split into three different sections - Ryne, the Nix and Nari. Ryne is our young hero whose whole life has been affected by tales of the Nix, although he has yet to see any proof that she exists. The nix is the villain of the piece that I actually felt sympathy for. Yes, she was evil and twisted but there were reasons for that, which just about broke my heart! Nari is our spitfire heroine, not content to sit back and be rescued, she is the one doing the rescuing.

Well written and with a smooth plot and timeline, this is a new 'old' fairytale that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 8, 2015
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated The Drop (Harry Bosch #17) in Books

Jul 26, 2022  
The Drop (Harry Bosch #17)
The Drop (Harry Bosch #17)
Michael Connelly | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
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ClareR (6106 KP) rated Triflers Need Not Apply in Books

Jun 27, 2022  
Triflers Need Not Apply
Triflers Need Not Apply
Camilla Bruce | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Triflers Need Not Apply is based on the true story of Belle Gunness, a Norwegian who emigrated to America. And that’s what makes it so unnerving: her normality. Outwardly, Belle is a nice, god-fearing woman. But if you are married to her, that’s a different story.

I enjoyed how the two different sides of Belle were portrayed, and how her sister wanted to always think the best of her. But she knew there was a darker side. Belle’s children seemed oblivious to her proclivities, but would they have been? In fact, it does seem that at least one had a pretty good idea of her mothers capabilities.

Part of me likes to think that Belle did what she did to keep herself and her children financially safe. Men were a means to an end in a time where women had no rights. Belle really was a woman scorned - and boy, did she hold a grudge! There are some truly gruesome scenes described in an offhand way, so much so that I just got used to them: “Oh, she’s chopping them into bits! Well, that’ll make disposal easier, I suppose!” I mean, I’m not in the market for this type of thing, but it all seemed quite reasonable. That’s what made it truly horrific!

It’s a great story. I might bear some of Belle’s methods in mind…😉
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated A Stolen Child in Books

Jun 21, 2023  
A Stolen Child
A Stolen Child
Sarah Stewart Taylor | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?

Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated What Comes Around in Books

May 22, 2025 (Updated May 22, 2025)  
What Comes Around
What Comes Around
Annette Dashofy | 2024 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
We’ve Been Waiting for This
This book opens just days after book twelve ended, which makes sense. Helpless ended with Zoe deciding to finally stand up to Dr. Charles Davis publicly. But before she can line everything up to fire him, Pete and Zoe are called to scene of a homicide. A woman has been brutally murdered in a hotel room. The surprise is that the victim was Davis’s ex-wife who came to the area to tell Zoe something. What was it?

Because this storyline has been brewing in the background for multiple books now, I was hooked from the moment I picked up this one, always have a hard time putting it down. I didn’t expect the ending, but it made perfect sense when Zoe figured it out. As always, the characters are entertaining, new and old alike. Zoe and Pete split the point of view character duties, and the shifts are always clear. This series is darker than the cozies I often read, but don’t let that stop you from reading these books. Sadly, this is the final book (sob!), at least for now. Fortunately, the author is working on other things to entertain us. If you are already a fan of Zoe and Pete, you’ll love this book. If you aren’t yet a fan, dive in today. You’ll be hooked in no time.