Search
Search results
Allison Knapp (118 KP) rated Public Secrets in Books
Jan 22, 2019
Well written and complex characters (7 more)
Covers a broad range of social topics such as addiction, domestic violence, and homosexuality in a way which is both well written and accurate with the times
Strong character dynamics
Not nearly as cheesy as the romance novels of which she is known for writing
At times creepy or psychologically disturbing in a way which makes you care even more about the life of the main character
Strong ensemble cast
Great nostalgic look at music and cinema from the 60s up through the 90s
Excellent and unpredictable plot twists
Murder Mystery set in the world of the Music Industry
The illegitimate daughter of a young rock star witnesses the accidental murder of her baby brother when she is still very young, and due to a case of isolated amnesia, cannot identify the murderer. As she grows up under the public eye, amidst the tragedy and its effects on her family, struggling to let go of her nightmares of that fateful night while struggling to find her own identity aside from the shadow of her father and the legendary status of her family, she faces many struggles and challenges just to prove an identity of her own. Yet as she grows up into a mature young woman, she learns that there are some tragedies from her past which were worth suffering through if she were to finally help bring justice for her brother and their family.
ClareR (5789 KP) rated Nothing to Hide (DC Constance Fairchild #2) in Books
Jul 27, 2019
Nothing to Hide is the second book in a series about DC Constance (Con) Fairchild. I haven’t read the first book - but I will be reading it. Not having read the first book didn’t cause me any problems with understanding and enjoying this one.
It’s a police procedural of sorts: Con is suspended because of something that happened in the previous book, and trouble seems to follow her. First the tabloids won’t leave her alone and are camped outside her flat, and then she finds the barely alive body of a young black man in her bins. He has had his tongue and testicles removed.
Even though she is suspended, Con finds herself involved in the investigation of this case. She travels up to Edinburgh where the boys mother lives, via a visit to her estranged mother. There she meets the enigmatic Reverend Dr Edward Masters, the leader of the Church of the Coming Light.
I couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop reading this - it was fast paced, exciting and completely engrossing. The supporting characters were great to read too (a bit of other-worldly guidance from two very well written characters).
I can’t wait for the next in the series, and I shall be definitely looking for a copy of the first book!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another excellent read, and to the author, James Oswald, for reading along with us!
It’s a police procedural of sorts: Con is suspended because of something that happened in the previous book, and trouble seems to follow her. First the tabloids won’t leave her alone and are camped outside her flat, and then she finds the barely alive body of a young black man in her bins. He has had his tongue and testicles removed.
Even though she is suspended, Con finds herself involved in the investigation of this case. She travels up to Edinburgh where the boys mother lives, via a visit to her estranged mother. There she meets the enigmatic Reverend Dr Edward Masters, the leader of the Church of the Coming Light.
I couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop reading this - it was fast paced, exciting and completely engrossing. The supporting characters were great to read too (a bit of other-worldly guidance from two very well written characters).
I can’t wait for the next in the series, and I shall be definitely looking for a copy of the first book!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another excellent read, and to the author, James Oswald, for reading along with us!
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Ones Who Got Away (The Ones Who Got Away, #1) in Books
Jan 26, 2019
Something good emerges from the wreckage
THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY has the makings of an excellent series. Book one, of the same name, builds some of the background but focuses in on Liv and Finn. The characters, both main and side are survivors of a high school trauma and remain affected into their 30s.
The book started off with an intense bang and slowly but surely lost a bit of traction, leaving a lull. I have still rated it four stars because by 40% it had grabbed by attention fully. The story built and built to an emotional and impactful ending.
Finn and Liv have a second chance story to tell and it was believable. I found their feelings for one another powerful and feverish which fit with their traumatic past. Both characters were well developed and I liked them. Finn, in particular, made for some serious hero swoon. That cover, well let’s just say that’s brought to life. The side characters of Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn have me intrigued from their stories.
So, I guess I wanted this to blow me away following the beginning but I did really like it. I think some of the background to build the series might have impeded the flow but I’ll be reading the next in the series and generally checking out Roni Loren’s other books.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.
The book started off with an intense bang and slowly but surely lost a bit of traction, leaving a lull. I have still rated it four stars because by 40% it had grabbed by attention fully. The story built and built to an emotional and impactful ending.
Finn and Liv have a second chance story to tell and it was believable. I found their feelings for one another powerful and feverish which fit with their traumatic past. Both characters were well developed and I liked them. Finn, in particular, made for some serious hero swoon. That cover, well let’s just say that’s brought to life. The side characters of Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn have me intrigued from their stories.
So, I guess I wanted this to blow me away following the beginning but I did really like it. I think some of the background to build the series might have impeded the flow but I’ll be reading the next in the series and generally checking out Roni Loren’s other books.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Gatekeeper (Afterlife #0.5) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
If you've read the author's rather excellent young adult Afterlife series about angels battling demons for control of mortal souls you will know The Gatekeeper as the cackling, taunting old man. If you have not read the series this novella may be a good introduction.
Aker might seem like a normal boy but there is something different about him. He is a little more cruel, a little more keen to cause trouble and misery than his peers. His downward path soon brings him to the attention of the demon world, a world he adapts to with ease. But demons survive either on their strength or their wits. Aker may not be strong but he is very cunning and very eager to prove himself.
One of the major achievements of this story is that the main protagonist is (hopefully) in no way relateable to the reader; he is sly, selfish and cruel, caring nothing at all for anybody but himself. Yet the writing means that although we might not agree with any of his choices, it is clear why he makes them. So although the reader has no sympathy for Aker, there is some understanding of him.
The story moves quickly as Aker progresses through the demon world and there is little to time to catch one's breath between scenes. This makes it an easy read, and one that manages to provide a lot of background on the wider series without ever deviating from telling the central story.
Aker might seem like a normal boy but there is something different about him. He is a little more cruel, a little more keen to cause trouble and misery than his peers. His downward path soon brings him to the attention of the demon world, a world he adapts to with ease. But demons survive either on their strength or their wits. Aker may not be strong but he is very cunning and very eager to prove himself.
One of the major achievements of this story is that the main protagonist is (hopefully) in no way relateable to the reader; he is sly, selfish and cruel, caring nothing at all for anybody but himself. Yet the writing means that although we might not agree with any of his choices, it is clear why he makes them. So although the reader has no sympathy for Aker, there is some understanding of him.
The story moves quickly as Aker progresses through the demon world and there is little to time to catch one's breath between scenes. This makes it an easy read, and one that manages to provide a lot of background on the wider series without ever deviating from telling the central story.
Leigh J (71 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Nov 14, 2019
Dead on Arrival
Doctor and Family man Louis and his wife Rachel decide to move to Maine with their 2 kids Ellie and Gage, so that Louis can work at a University Hospital and Rachel can have more time with the kids. Whilst running around the large property, Ellie literally stumbles into a large wall of trees, which she unsuccessfully tries to climb and thus meets Judd, an elderly neighbour who tends to her injury and advises her not to play around the area. When Judd meets Louis, he advises that the Pet Sematary near their property where Ellie was playing is actually their land also. However when the family Cat, Church, is fatally injured; Judd shows Louis what is behind the wall of Trees, and advises him to bury Church there. The next morning, Church is miraculously back... and he's acting vicious and erratic. Is Church really the family cat? Or has something else altogether possessed Church? And when tragedy befalls this family yet again, what lengths will Louis go to to keep his family?
I've read the Pet Sematary Book (by Stephen King) and it's an absolute page turner so I was really excited to see this Remake. However, the whole thing fell flat for me. It wasn't remotely scary or interesting, even. It was just bland and made you feel a bit "meh" about the whole thing. Such a shame as the Book is excellent.
I've read the Pet Sematary Book (by Stephen King) and it's an absolute page turner so I was really excited to see this Remake. However, the whole thing fell flat for me. It wasn't remotely scary or interesting, even. It was just bland and made you feel a bit "meh" about the whole thing. Such a shame as the Book is excellent.
Merissa (12392 KP) rated Collision at Roosevelt Ranch (Roosevelt Ranch #3) in Books
Nov 21, 2019
Collision at Roosevelt Ranch is the third book in the Roosevelt Ranch series, and we see Haley and Sam in more detail. Although they have both played parts in the two prior books, I don't think it is absolutely necessary to have read those two. I would still recommend it, just so you get the most out of each story, but they also standalone.
Haley has just finished her shift at the hospital, and is exhausted. Sam has just finished his day, and is exhausted. Are you seeing a link here yet? Due to wildlife, they have an accident and Sam realises just how much of a woman Haley now is. For her part, Haley has always crushed on Sam, but he was involved with her sister, so there's no way anything can happen... is there?
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of emotion, of taking the blame for something you haven't done just because it's easier, for always feeling second-best but then realising that the other person has the same doubts as you.
This story is an excellent addition to the series, and if I was allowed half stars, it would be four and a half. Best one of the series so far and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Haley has just finished her shift at the hospital, and is exhausted. Sam has just finished his day, and is exhausted. Are you seeing a link here yet? Due to wildlife, they have an accident and Sam realises just how much of a woman Haley now is. For her part, Haley has always crushed on Sam, but he was involved with her sister, so there's no way anything can happen... is there?
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of emotion, of taking the blame for something you haven't done just because it's easier, for always feeling second-best but then realising that the other person has the same doubts as you.
This story is an excellent addition to the series, and if I was allowed half stars, it would be four and a half. Best one of the series so far and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Signature Kill (Frank Behr #4) in Books
Jan 5, 2020
Gritty, dark atmospheric and suspenseful
This is another book that has been on my "to be read" list since 2015 and I have finally got round to reading it and so pleased I did as I really enjoyed it. Although this is book 4 in the Frank Behr series, I haven't read any of the others and I admit that it would probably be better to read the others in order to get some clarity and background to Frank but having said that, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book so will say it works well as a standalone.
This is a pretty disturbing story written from Frank's perspective and that of the killer; this I think was genius in that it gave Frank a strong voice and made him come alive but it also did the same for the killer which was chilling and oddly satisfying but perfect for this book.
The writing style was excellent and easy to read; the suspense and action scenes were described perfectly and all the characters were well developed and authentic.
This is a gritty, dark, atmospheric and suspenseful read that I found gripping and very difficult to put down; I will certainly read more of this series and from this author but hopefully won't delay it so long next time.
Thank you to RandomHouseUK / Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
This is a pretty disturbing story written from Frank's perspective and that of the killer; this I think was genius in that it gave Frank a strong voice and made him come alive but it also did the same for the killer which was chilling and oddly satisfying but perfect for this book.
The writing style was excellent and easy to read; the suspense and action scenes were described perfectly and all the characters were well developed and authentic.
This is a gritty, dark, atmospheric and suspenseful read that I found gripping and very difficult to put down; I will certainly read more of this series and from this author but hopefully won't delay it so long next time.
Thank you to RandomHouseUK / Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Dracula (English) (1931) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
I am Dracula
Dracula- such a classic film, such a excellent film. It is so perfect, its a masterpeice. This film really started "the unviersal monsters franchise", this and "Frankenstien". Without those two films, we would have no "unverisal monsters", we would have no "monster/creature films", i mean we still would but their wouldnt be good/the same. So thanks to this film and frankenstein, we got "the universal monster franchise" and films about "monsters/creatures". Also if it wasnt for "Dracula" and "Nosferatu", we wouldnt have any movies about vampires. So once again thanks to "Dracula" and "Nosferatu" we have movies about vampires.
The plot: The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count's never-ending bloodlust.
And of course, you cant forgot about the amazing and fantasic Bela Lugosi. When you think of Dracula, you think of him. He was so perfect as Dracula.
Like i said before this film is a masterpiece and my second favorite film of "the unverisal monster franchise".
The plot: The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count's never-ending bloodlust.
And of course, you cant forgot about the amazing and fantasic Bela Lugosi. When you think of Dracula, you think of him. He was so perfect as Dracula.
Like i said before this film is a masterpiece and my second favorite film of "the unverisal monster franchise".
Pettson's Inventions Deluxe
Education and Games
App
This is the ultimate Pettson’s Inventions Collection app! Play all the inventions from Pettson's...
Ubuy Mobile
Shopping and Lifestyle
App
Ubuy is a well known name in the current online shopping market. It allows you to choose your best...