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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone, #19) in Books
May 15, 2021
Kinsey Tries to Solve a Very Cold Case
On July 4, 1953, Victoria Sullivan vanished without a trace and was never heard from again. Her abusive husband lived under the shadow of suspicion, and her then seven-year-old daughter, Daisy, has lived with the questions about what happened to her mother and why. And so, thirty-four years later, she hires PI Kinsey Millhone to try to finally solve this mystery. Kinsey is reluctant to take on the case. After all this time, what can she find? Yet, as she begins to poke around, she suspects that the people she is talking to know more than they’ve ever told the police or are telling her. Can she figure out what happened?
Cold cases can make excellent novels, and this is a perfect example. It is obvious early on that Kinsey is gaining new information, but how that is going to play out keeps us guessing until the end. I was certain I knew who it was, but I was wrong. Still, the ending did make sense to me. The characters are strong as always. Kinsey spends much of the book out of town, so we don’t see much of the regulars, which was disappointing, but a minor issue. While all the “modern” 1987 scenes are narrated from Kinsey’s first-person point of view, there are sections from other character’s point of view back in 1953. As good as some of those scenes are, sadly, there are some very graphic scenes in them. We could have easily done without them and it wouldn’t have impacted the story at all. I’m taking a star off for that. If you are a fan, be prepared to skim those scenes and you’ll still enjoy the book overall.
Cold cases can make excellent novels, and this is a perfect example. It is obvious early on that Kinsey is gaining new information, but how that is going to play out keeps us guessing until the end. I was certain I knew who it was, but I was wrong. Still, the ending did make sense to me. The characters are strong as always. Kinsey spends much of the book out of town, so we don’t see much of the regulars, which was disappointing, but a minor issue. While all the “modern” 1987 scenes are narrated from Kinsey’s first-person point of view, there are sections from other character’s point of view back in 1953. As good as some of those scenes are, sadly, there are some very graphic scenes in them. We could have easily done without them and it wouldn’t have impacted the story at all. I’m taking a star off for that. If you are a fan, be prepared to skim those scenes and you’ll still enjoy the book overall.
ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Shape of Darkness in Books
Feb 21, 2021
The Shape of Darkness was well worth the wait! I’ve read two of Laura Purcell’s books on The Pigeonhole, so when this book came up on NetGalley, I knew that I had to read it. This has been one of my half term reads, and well worth the wait!
Agnes is a silhouette artist in Victorian Bath, and she struggles to support her sickly mother and her nephew - although his father does contribute some money to help feed and clothe him (and help Agnes and her mother too).
Shortly after one of Agnes’ clients leaves her studio, he is murdered. She then discovers that another client has also been murdered - there is an unnerving pattern forming here, because this is just the start. In order to get some insight, Agnes decides that she should consult a medium. This is where Pearl and her sister Myrtle, a mesmerist-in-training, come in. Pearl is ethereal, a child with albinism, and seems to genuinely possess the gift of communicating with the dead.
This is an unnerving, chilling and at times, quite a scary book. It’s full of the detail of Victorian life too: poverty, class distinctions, the hustle and bustle of a busy Victorian Bath. I loved the dark, gothic feel, too. It contained loads of details of life, of how technology was changing and affecting the lives of Victorians. And it was just a really excellent mystery that kept me guessing to the very end. If you’re going to read it (and I strongly suggest that you do!), just don’t read it with only the little light on if you’re spooked easily!
Many thanks to Raven Books for providing me with an e-book through NetGalley to read and review.
Agnes is a silhouette artist in Victorian Bath, and she struggles to support her sickly mother and her nephew - although his father does contribute some money to help feed and clothe him (and help Agnes and her mother too).
Shortly after one of Agnes’ clients leaves her studio, he is murdered. She then discovers that another client has also been murdered - there is an unnerving pattern forming here, because this is just the start. In order to get some insight, Agnes decides that she should consult a medium. This is where Pearl and her sister Myrtle, a mesmerist-in-training, come in. Pearl is ethereal, a child with albinism, and seems to genuinely possess the gift of communicating with the dead.
This is an unnerving, chilling and at times, quite a scary book. It’s full of the detail of Victorian life too: poverty, class distinctions, the hustle and bustle of a busy Victorian Bath. I loved the dark, gothic feel, too. It contained loads of details of life, of how technology was changing and affecting the lives of Victorians. And it was just a really excellent mystery that kept me guessing to the very end. If you’re going to read it (and I strongly suggest that you do!), just don’t read it with only the little light on if you’re spooked easily!
Many thanks to Raven Books for providing me with an e-book through NetGalley to read and review.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Too Good To Be True in Books
Mar 4, 2021
A compelling and twisty thriller
Skye Starling is beautiful, wealthy, and smart. She has a good job and a group of close friends. But she's never found lasting love thanks to her horrible OCD, which she's suffered from since her mother's death when she was young. But when Skye meets Burke Michaels, that all changes. Yes, he's older, but Skye can't help falling for this handsome man who wants her. However, Burke has a secret of his own: he's married, and he's using Skye for her family's money.
"All I'm saying is that if he seems too good to be true, he probably is."
This is one of those fun, twisty thrillers that keeps you reading and guessing. It's filled with wild characters and if you're willing to slightly suspend disbelief while reading, it's a great ride. Skye is a sympathetic yet enjoyable protagonist, and Burke is complex in his own way. The book is told from Skye's point of view and interspersed with letters from Burke to his therapist. We also get the perspective of Heather, a young woman, speaking from her past, who knew Burke when they were kids.
The result is quite compelling, and I blew through this one in a couple of days. The first half is probably a bit stronger than the second, though the last half certainly unveils some crazy surprises. Some you can work out; others caught me off guard.
Overall, I went into this one looking for a fun thriller, and it delivered. It also has a bit of romance thrown in, too. It's crazy and twisty and an excellent distraction. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review. It releases on March 2nd.
"All I'm saying is that if he seems too good to be true, he probably is."
This is one of those fun, twisty thrillers that keeps you reading and guessing. It's filled with wild characters and if you're willing to slightly suspend disbelief while reading, it's a great ride. Skye is a sympathetic yet enjoyable protagonist, and Burke is complex in his own way. The book is told from Skye's point of view and interspersed with letters from Burke to his therapist. We also get the perspective of Heather, a young woman, speaking from her past, who knew Burke when they were kids.
The result is quite compelling, and I blew through this one in a couple of days. The first half is probably a bit stronger than the second, though the last half certainly unveils some crazy surprises. Some you can work out; others caught me off guard.
Overall, I went into this one looking for a fun thriller, and it delivered. It also has a bit of romance thrown in, too. It's crazy and twisty and an excellent distraction. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review. It releases on March 2nd.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Books
Mar 11, 2021 (Updated Mar 11, 2021)
Twisty thriller with a determined young protagonist
Pippa (Pip) decides to write her senior capstone project on the missing persons case of Andie Bell. Everyone in the town of Fairview believes popular Andie was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then killed himself. The story still haunts the town five years later--including Sal's family and his younger brother, Ravi. Pip knew Sal, though, and he was always so kind to her. As she starts digging into the case, with Ravi's help, hoping to cast some doubt on the investigation, Pip starts discovering evidence that could exonerate Sal--and a lot of dark secrets that people in Fairview do not want dug up.
"'Because I don’t think your brother did it—and I’m going to try to prove it.'"
This is a dark and twisty thriller with an improbable but immediately likable protagonist. While I found it a bit unlikely that this high schooler could become such an excellent detective, I soon put my doubts aside. Pip is tough and determined and while some of the plot bordered on implausible, I was there for it, because I quickly fell for her, and for Ravi, Sal's younger brother.
“'It’s not just that he’s gone. It’s that…well, we’re not allowed to grieve for him, because of what happened.'"
Forming a partnership, the two dig deep into Andie's case, interviewing friends, family, and turning their town on its side. The result is an incredibly twisty and dark story-its sad, but sweet too. I loved the pluckiness of Pip; her friendship with Ravi; and the way the clues slowly unfolded, allowing us to see the horrible secrets and lies that led to what truly happened to Andie.
All in all, this is a quick read, full of twists and turns, and featuring a strong protagonist.
"'Because I don’t think your brother did it—and I’m going to try to prove it.'"
This is a dark and twisty thriller with an improbable but immediately likable protagonist. While I found it a bit unlikely that this high schooler could become such an excellent detective, I soon put my doubts aside. Pip is tough and determined and while some of the plot bordered on implausible, I was there for it, because I quickly fell for her, and for Ravi, Sal's younger brother.
“'It’s not just that he’s gone. It’s that…well, we’re not allowed to grieve for him, because of what happened.'"
Forming a partnership, the two dig deep into Andie's case, interviewing friends, family, and turning their town on its side. The result is an incredibly twisty and dark story-its sad, but sweet too. I loved the pluckiness of Pip; her friendship with Ravi; and the way the clues slowly unfolded, allowing us to see the horrible secrets and lies that led to what truly happened to Andie.
All in all, this is a quick read, full of twists and turns, and featuring a strong protagonist.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Girls of Brackenhill in Books
Nov 5, 2020
As a kid, Hannah spent several summers at Brackenhill, her aunt and uncle's beautiful mansion in the Catskills. Joined by her older sister, Julia, they enjoyed a peaceful time away from their troubled mother and her boyfriend. But that final summer, Hannah made the journey home alone after Julia disappeared. Now, seventeen years later, Hannah is back at Brackenhill, accompanied by her calm and steady fiance Huck, to deal with the aftermath of her Aunt Fae's death. Her uncle Stuart is quite ill and Hannah must handle the necessary affairs. But once at Brackenhill, long buried memories flood to the surface, along with some undiscovered family secrets.
"She'd escaped Brackenhill once. She could do it again."
I read this completely captivating thriller in one breathless day. It's such a wonderfully eerie and ghostly mystery that excellently captures the spooky atmosphere of Brackenhill. I'm all for a read with a creepy castle, ghostly happenings, and a history of missing girls. Told in a then (Hannah and Julia's summers at Brackenhill) and now format, Moretti sucks you in from the beginning, making the reader feel as if they are a part of the haunted happenings at Brackenhill.
"The Ghost Girls of Brackenhill are an urban legend."
The result is a twisted and dark story--a true Gothic ghost tale. I figured out a few pieces, but still found this impossible to put down. Moretti excels at weaving in the devastation of family secrets and small town mystery. As Hannah unravels the mystery of her family history and her sister's disappearance, we do as well, and you'll share her sense of dread and the overall foreboding that sweeps across the pages.
I wished the ending offered a bit more resolution, but this is an excellent, haunting, and spooky supernatural read. You'll be madly flipping the pages (with the lights on)! 4+ stars.
"She'd escaped Brackenhill once. She could do it again."
I read this completely captivating thriller in one breathless day. It's such a wonderfully eerie and ghostly mystery that excellently captures the spooky atmosphere of Brackenhill. I'm all for a read with a creepy castle, ghostly happenings, and a history of missing girls. Told in a then (Hannah and Julia's summers at Brackenhill) and now format, Moretti sucks you in from the beginning, making the reader feel as if they are a part of the haunted happenings at Brackenhill.
"The Ghost Girls of Brackenhill are an urban legend."
The result is a twisted and dark story--a true Gothic ghost tale. I figured out a few pieces, but still found this impossible to put down. Moretti excels at weaving in the devastation of family secrets and small town mystery. As Hannah unravels the mystery of her family history and her sister's disappearance, we do as well, and you'll share her sense of dread and the overall foreboding that sweeps across the pages.
I wished the ending offered a bit more resolution, but this is an excellent, haunting, and spooky supernatural read. You'll be madly flipping the pages (with the lights on)! 4+ stars.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs in Video Games
Nov 14, 2020
Scary and Spooky
Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs- is a terrorfying, horrorfying, spooky, scary, creepy game.
The game features several interlocking storylines. Some take place in the past, some in the present, and some are overtly real while some may be imagined. Set in London on New Year's Eve, 1899, the game's protagonist is Oswald Mandus, a wealthy industrialist and butcher who is implied to be the great grand-nephew of Daniel, the protagonist of Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
The game is a survival horror game played from a first-person perspective.
Players explore the environments using a lantern, with diary entries and notes providing information on the lost memory of the title character. While the core of the game remains the same between the two, some elements of The Dark Descent have been removed for A Machine for Pigs, while new elements have been added, one reason being to provide a fresh gameplay experience to players of The Dark Descent.
Most of the puzzles are based on physically interacting with the environment because of this change. The sanity mechanic of the first game has been removed, meaning that the darkness and looking at the creatures no longer cause any drawbacks. Health lost when Mandus is injured, will regenerate after a certain period of time; thereby eliminating the need to find vials of laudanum to restore health as in The Dark Descent.
The game's level design has been touted as "significantly different" from that of The Dark Descent, with larger areas and outdoor environments included. AI was also adjusted to ensure players are unable to predict enemy behavior based on their experiences with the original game.
Its a excellent survival game.
The game features several interlocking storylines. Some take place in the past, some in the present, and some are overtly real while some may be imagined. Set in London on New Year's Eve, 1899, the game's protagonist is Oswald Mandus, a wealthy industrialist and butcher who is implied to be the great grand-nephew of Daniel, the protagonist of Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
The game is a survival horror game played from a first-person perspective.
Players explore the environments using a lantern, with diary entries and notes providing information on the lost memory of the title character. While the core of the game remains the same between the two, some elements of The Dark Descent have been removed for A Machine for Pigs, while new elements have been added, one reason being to provide a fresh gameplay experience to players of The Dark Descent.
Most of the puzzles are based on physically interacting with the environment because of this change. The sanity mechanic of the first game has been removed, meaning that the darkness and looking at the creatures no longer cause any drawbacks. Health lost when Mandus is injured, will regenerate after a certain period of time; thereby eliminating the need to find vials of laudanum to restore health as in The Dark Descent.
The game's level design has been touted as "significantly different" from that of The Dark Descent, with larger areas and outdoor environments included. AI was also adjusted to ensure players are unable to predict enemy behavior based on their experiences with the original game.
Its a excellent survival game.
ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Western Wind in Books
Mar 28, 2021
I loved the setting of this book, and with the excellent narration of Nyasha Hatendi, I was immersed in the life of a 15th century Somerset village. I could feel the damp and chill of life at the start of Lent, and I was fascinated by the traditions surrounding people during this period.
The book works backwards from the time that a wealthy landowner, Thomas Newman, is seen floating, assumed drowned, in the river. The rural Dean arrives and advises the village priest, John Reve, to find the murderer or find proof that Newman has passed through purgatory - all before Lent begins.
There are a lot of confessions in this book. Villagers come to church to confess before the start of Lent, but none have the necessary information to tell Reve what happened. The Dean is a pretty unpleasant character: he pushes Reve to find a murderer, when it’s not really known whether Newman has been murdered at all.
John Reve appears to know and care for all of his parishioners. When two of them try to admit to Newman’s murder, Reve will not let them stand up and say that they’ve done it - and it does seem unlikely that they have. One, Sarah, a seriously ill woman, sees her confession as a way of escaping from her life of illness and pain.
This is a gentle, moving, descriptive book. There’s no fast action or tumultuous love affairs. This is the story of a priest who is doing his best for his parishioners. He takes his job seriously - it really is his calling. And there’s no earth shattering ending either. If you like a beautifully written book, then this will be the book for you.
The book works backwards from the time that a wealthy landowner, Thomas Newman, is seen floating, assumed drowned, in the river. The rural Dean arrives and advises the village priest, John Reve, to find the murderer or find proof that Newman has passed through purgatory - all before Lent begins.
There are a lot of confessions in this book. Villagers come to church to confess before the start of Lent, but none have the necessary information to tell Reve what happened. The Dean is a pretty unpleasant character: he pushes Reve to find a murderer, when it’s not really known whether Newman has been murdered at all.
John Reve appears to know and care for all of his parishioners. When two of them try to admit to Newman’s murder, Reve will not let them stand up and say that they’ve done it - and it does seem unlikely that they have. One, Sarah, a seriously ill woman, sees her confession as a way of escaping from her life of illness and pain.
This is a gentle, moving, descriptive book. There’s no fast action or tumultuous love affairs. This is the story of a priest who is doing his best for his parishioners. He takes his job seriously - it really is his calling. And there’s no earth shattering ending either. If you like a beautifully written book, then this will be the book for you.
Lindsay (1727 KP) rated Let's Talk! A Story of Autism and Friendship in Books
Apr 11, 2021
Let's Talk is about a story of a girl that meets a new girl that has Autism. So this book is about Autism and friendship. It is a sweet story; I enjoyed it. Though I have Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is a disability. Many people have it, and each person is on a different spectrum. Some are on the high end, some are somewhere in the middle, and some are on the lower side.
We may look standoffish or even act strangely or act differently than usual. I have Autism and am on the high end of the spectrum. Though I was different from my cousins when growing up and acted differently than them. I still do.
Autism is something we all need to learn and understand and accept, as it is still hard to see or understand. This book helps in a way or at least spotlights on the communication part of Autism. I can relate to this book, and I know quite a few people with Autism. We all act differently and our interests. I get along with them all.
This book hit Autism on one aspect but shows that we can enjoy some fun and form friendships even though we are different. Will they last well? That depends on the friends who want to understand and do not mind our quirks and the way we commute.
This book shows how a girl learns about Autism and understands and communicates with another little girl named Emma. The pictures are down well. It an excellent book to have on any child's bookshelf; It will teach parents and children or introduce them to Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The story is down well and sweet. I cannot wait to see what these girls do on their adventures.
We may look standoffish or even act strangely or act differently than usual. I have Autism and am on the high end of the spectrum. Though I was different from my cousins when growing up and acted differently than them. I still do.
Autism is something we all need to learn and understand and accept, as it is still hard to see or understand. This book helps in a way or at least spotlights on the communication part of Autism. I can relate to this book, and I know quite a few people with Autism. We all act differently and our interests. I get along with them all.
This book hit Autism on one aspect but shows that we can enjoy some fun and form friendships even though we are different. Will they last well? That depends on the friends who want to understand and do not mind our quirks and the way we commute.
This book shows how a girl learns about Autism and understands and communicates with another little girl named Emma. The pictures are down well. It an excellent book to have on any child's bookshelf; It will teach parents and children or introduce them to Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The story is down well and sweet. I cannot wait to see what these girls do on their adventures.
Lindsay (1727 KP) rated Lost Locket (The Magic Magnifying Glass #1) in Books
Jul 29, 2021
Are you looking for a good clean book for your middle-grade children? The Magic Magnifying Glass is a good one. The first book is called “Lost Locket” by Wendy Ann Mattox. This book introduces you to a boy that loves to solve mysteries.
This book also is clean and talking about God helping him along the way. Your child or children will meet some new characters along the way. I enjoy the fact that this book does center around a boy named Finley. Though he needs the help of friends,
Will he learn that God made me the way he is for a reason. Will he know that having new friends might be able to help when he needs it? The way the author puts nature animals in this story. I enjoyed how they come to help or do as they would typically do in natural wildlife.
Children will learn about nature and the wild animals in their backyard. We learn along the way some of the friends that Finley meets as he tries to solve the tricky case. Will he figure out how he got so tiny? Will he learn to trust God?
This book is excellent. Will Finley find the missing locket? This adventure book is ideal for girls and boys. Parents can read it to their children. Children can pick this book up and read it themselves if they want. I was pleased with it. Children learn about nature and animals in their backyard. Some of the animals are common.
Parents could add more activities or learning activities with their children once they have read this book. Children will learn some animal facts about some of the new friends Finley meets in this book.
This book also is clean and talking about God helping him along the way. Your child or children will meet some new characters along the way. I enjoy the fact that this book does center around a boy named Finley. Though he needs the help of friends,
Will he learn that God made me the way he is for a reason. Will he know that having new friends might be able to help when he needs it? The way the author puts nature animals in this story. I enjoyed how they come to help or do as they would typically do in natural wildlife.
Children will learn about nature and the wild animals in their backyard. We learn along the way some of the friends that Finley meets as he tries to solve the tricky case. Will he figure out how he got so tiny? Will he learn to trust God?
This book is excellent. Will Finley find the missing locket? This adventure book is ideal for girls and boys. Parents can read it to their children. Children can pick this book up and read it themselves if they want. I was pleased with it. Children learn about nature and animals in their backyard. Some of the animals are common.
Parents could add more activities or learning activities with their children once they have read this book. Children will learn some animal facts about some of the new friends Finley meets in this book.
Lindsay (1727 KP) rated A Celebration of Spring (Mariana Books Rhyming #8) in Books
May 23, 2021
Are you looking for a book that explains the seasons? Well, this one describes what Spring is about in a fun and enjoyable way. Children can learn to rhyme with this book. It is a rhyming book. However, I came to the end of the book. I have also seen other potential fun things to do with children, not only what you could do or your children could do outdoors.
The book utilized young children learning to read and older children by asking what fun activities they could develop during Spring. What could the children come up with some outdoor fun with after reading this book?
Parents could use this book to enough their children to want to play outdoors or come up with a family outing and take this book along to read later on their trip. Children will learn rhyming and some excellent outdoor activities and maybe come up with their own by being inspired by A Celebration of Spring or pictures in the book. Parents might find some activities ideas to do with their child or children after reading this book. One activity I thought of was going outdoors, counting the birds that I see in my backyard. Watching the birds fly around my area or walking to get my mail. Though they are just some ideas, another might be a coloring activity or drawing activity.
I have no idea if this is what the author had in mind when he wrote the book. The activities do some to come up and think about after reading this book. This book can bring that out with just reading the book and giving children some ideas to come up with independently. Parents could ask their children what kind of outdoor activities they can do outdoors.
The book utilized young children learning to read and older children by asking what fun activities they could develop during Spring. What could the children come up with some outdoor fun with after reading this book?
Parents could use this book to enough their children to want to play outdoors or come up with a family outing and take this book along to read later on their trip. Children will learn rhyming and some excellent outdoor activities and maybe come up with their own by being inspired by A Celebration of Spring or pictures in the book. Parents might find some activities ideas to do with their child or children after reading this book. One activity I thought of was going outdoors, counting the birds that I see in my backyard. Watching the birds fly around my area or walking to get my mail. Though they are just some ideas, another might be a coloring activity or drawing activity.
I have no idea if this is what the author had in mind when he wrote the book. The activities do some to come up and think about after reading this book. This book can bring that out with just reading the book and giving children some ideas to come up with independently. Parents could ask their children what kind of outdoor activities they can do outdoors.