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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Sticks and Stones in Books

Nov 24, 2018

Sticks and Stones

Jo Jakeman | 2018 | Crime, Thriller

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is the debut novel for this author and, I think, a pretty accomplished one at that; a little unbelievable at times I admit but quite a satisfying read. Dealing with the difficult subject matter of domestic violence, this book is more about the subtleties of this abhorrent crime rather than the "in your face" violence although there is some violence.

The books starts with the funeral of a decorated Police Officer but thoroughly unpleasant man - Phillip - and "mourning" his death are 3 women; Ruby, Imogen and Naomi.

Ruby is the first wife who has never moved on and remains under Phillip's spell.
Imogen is the current but estranged wife and mother of their son.
Naomi is the girlfriend and soon to be third wife.

Phillip is an absolute a**hole; a master at manipulation and control, a bully and downright despicable person however, the tables are turned when Imogen manages to lock him in the cellar and so begins the story of the developing relationship between the three women, their growing strength and confidence and their common goal of getting revenge on the man that has caused them so much pain and heartache ... but, how did he die?

Well written with a good pace and well developed characters, this is a great debut psychological thriller and Jo Jakeman is certainly an author I will watch out for.

My thanks go to the publisher, Random House UK Vintage, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

Kudos

AT (1676 KP) rated Vigilance in Books

Jul 22, 2019

Vigilance

Robert Jackson Bennett | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy

6.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

I tried. I really did. It sounded like a story that I was going to like, plus, it's a very short novel. Vigilance is about a reality TV show that puts active shooters in randomly selected places while the violence and drama plays out on national TV. The premise being that America should constantly stay vigilant against foreign and domestic threats of any kind. However, for a 190 page book, the actual TV show hadn't even been set up with a chosen shooter "cast" yet by the 50th or so page. Up until that point, it was just the executive producer, preparing to launch the episode in one way or another. At some point, he is supposed to get wound up in the action, or at least some sort of trouble, according to the blurb on the back of the book. However, at that point, the rest of the book gives little to no time to make for a good, descriptive story, so I can't imagine that it could blow my mind by the end. Most of what I've read is part satire, part almost lecture about gun-control and how owning doesn't equal trained to use properly, disguised as some of the characters' backstories. I truly looked forward to reading this book, but have decided to quit. There are way too many books out there to be read to spend time on a bad one. I think the premise was good, and the story had the potential of being really interesting. This one, however, just seems to have missed its mark. Pass.

Kudos

Versusyours (757 KP) rated Man About the House in TV

Nov 3, 2019 (Updated Nov 4, 2019)

Man About the House

1973 | Comedy

7.1

(15 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

Reflected the changing attitudes of the mid 70s

I fell in love with the innocence of this sitcom through modern eyes but this made me think of the impact at the time when attitudes were more prudish. A man sharing with 2 women!! oh the scandal!! The main characters have great interplay and there are some classic sitcom tropes that make it fun. Robin is the man who tries to live up to the macho stereotypes but is also reflective of the changing attitudes of young men in the 1970s. The woman are always more than a match for the men and this is shown best with the landlord George and Mildred Roper, who appeared in there own sitcom due to this great dynamic. Some silly jokes and ludicrous situations but this allows a sense of escapism and the jokes are clever at times. Robin also spawned his own sitcom Robins Nest so the roles and characters in this sitcom made an impact beyond the show.

The last series was heartbreaking in parts and the will they or won't they with Robin and Chrissy reached its crescendo with a familiar face from the series returning as a doppelganger and forever changing the dynamic of the 2 girls and 1 man living in sin.

If you like a look into British life's and attitudes in the 1970s then this shows it in an interesting light. Although I wasn't there I so feel I understood the themes and the significance of this snapshot of domestic living.