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This is the third and final book I was given for Christmas, another collection of classic crime stories. It's similar to Murder On Christmas Eve, so I'm not going to write too much in this review. Out of the two, though, this is my favourite collection.

The stories in this collection are, for the most part, very good. The last couple weren't as engaging, but there's always going to be one or two you don't like. This collection even includes a tale about Sherlock Holmes (and Watson, of course) bt Arthur Conan Doyle himself. It was actually the first I've read of his work, and it was definitely as fantastic as I'd hoped.

Like the other book, the ten stories very from missing jewels hidden inside geese, to missing candle sticks, to death-by-radio. They're all very interesting mysteries, again seemingly simple on the surface but always a lot more incricate than they seem.

A nice collection of classic "festive" crimes. 3.5 stars.
  
Betrayal (The 1000 Revolution, #1)
Betrayal (The 1000 Revolution, #1)
Pippa DaCosta | 2017 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Action scenes (0 more)
Shortness (0 more)
Well I found this a quick read, I started it last night (7th Sep) and it was so quick to pull me in that I read 25% in one sitting and then picked it up again first thing this morning to carry on.

It easily had me intrigued with all the fragments of memory that #1001 kept remembering and the failure to reset or follow the commands. It became clear that she had some sort of background with Caleb, something that didn't end very well for them.

I also liked how Caleb and Fran sort of argued and didn't always get on but could work together brilliantly and outwit the fleet. There's quite a lot of action for how short it is but it's very engaging.

It's an interesting start and I'm definitely intrigued enough to carry on with the series but I'm going to work through my list of to-read before I go buying any new ones.
  
40x40

Janeeny (200 KP) rated The Black Death in Books

Sep 13, 2019  
The Black Death
The Black Death
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was actually my reading roulette for July, but I was a bit behind on Julys books so it got bumped to Augusts reads.

I bought this book when it was first released as it interested me, gradually my interest waned and it’s now been sitting on my shelf for seven years.

The Black Death is a non-fiction account of a little village in Suffolk during the plague years. Each chapter starts with a factual account of what was going on in the rest of the world regarding the spread of the disease then it launches into the story of this little village.

Hatcher has taken factual records and accounts and added a little poetic licence to create an engaging story that really involves you in the day to day life. He does take great pains to reiterate how poor the records were for that time and how much of a liberty he was taking, but I feel it’s unnecessary.
  
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
1977 | Fantasy, Sci-Fi
A bonafide game changer
It cannot be overstated how important and game changing A New Hope was/is.
The first Star Wars film (but 4th chapter of course) is a classic that truly stands the test of time.

Everything managed to hook me in when I first saw it as a young child, from John Williams flawless soundtrack (surely the most iconic movie soundtrack of all time) to the engaging characters.
Characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader were iconic from the get go.
The set pieces are truly legendary, especially the climatic assault on the Death Star.
All of the locations and planets seem exciting and magical.
The different droids and alien species that we come across are memorable.
All these things that I fell in love with as a child are still intact when I watch it now.

George Lucas lovingly crafted a classic that will always be important.
  
High Country Contract
High Country Contract
Lance Morcan, James Morcan | 2019 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this quick but engaging read, we are transported to the highlands of the South Island of New Zealand; a beautiful but remote backdrop to this thrilling tale of the hunter unwittingly becoming the hunted.

Once again, I am not disappointed by the writings of Lance and James Morcan; they know how to pull you in and keep you there until the end. I was however disappointed that it wasn't a bit longer ... no sooner had the action began, than it ended which was a shame as I really feel more could have been made of the terrain and the cat and mouse games between the hunter and the hunted. However, it is what it is and it's still a great thriller with interesting and believable characters.

I would recommend anyone read Lance and James' books particularly The Orphan Trilogy which is for lovers of action, espionage, conspiracy theories or just people who enjoy a flippin’ good read ... you won't be disappointed.