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.

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Betrayal (The 1000 Revolution, #1) in Books
Sep 8, 2019
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.

Janeeny (200 KP) rated The Black Death in Books
Sep 13, 2019
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.

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in Movies
Aug 25, 2019
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.

Hazel (2934 KP) rated High Country Contract in Books
Aug 26, 2019
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.

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