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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Birth of the Black Orchids in Books
Mar 25, 2026
Two Cozy Stories Introduce Us to a Fun New Trio
This book is really two separate longish short stories that introduce us to JD Thomas and his friends Dianne Cortez and Johnny Ly. They have moved into a mansion in the town of Beauchamp, Texas. They have separate rooms upstairs and are opening businesses downstairs, lawyer, accountant, and vet. Days before Christmas, they hold an open house to show off the renovations and promote their businesses. Might something go wrong? Then, a couple of weeks later, a neighbor they are supposed to be helping vanishes. Where might she have gone?
I really did love meeting these characters. You can feel the bonds of friendship between them. However, the mystery in neither story is super strong. The Christmas setting of the first story helps with the cozy vibes. And if you are looking for those vibes, you won’t be disappointed to pick up this book.
I really did love meeting these characters. You can feel the bonds of friendship between them. However, the mystery in neither story is super strong. The Christmas setting of the first story helps with the cozy vibes. And if you are looking for those vibes, you won’t be disappointed to pick up this book.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Death at the Sign of the Rook in Books
Nov 23, 2025
I read my first Jackson Brodie in July 2021, and I’ve since worked my way through them all, not wanting any of them to end too quickly. I love this little corner of the literary world.
Death at the Sign of the Rook gives a nod to the Golden Age of Agatha Christie I think, with the murder set in a grand country house that’s fighting for survival, by turning part of it into a country hotel.
There are some very Christie-esque characters: an army major, a vicar, a dowager and of course, the sleuth with his sidekick (in the form of Jackson Brodie and DC Reggie Chase).
There’s art theft, people in disguise, secrets, lies and a truly awful Murder Mystery weekend! And Brodie can’t even get away because of the snowstorm!
This is everything I’d hoped for: funny, clever, fast-paced and immersive. I loved how it all came together at the end.
I can’t wait for the next instalment now!
Death at the Sign of the Rook gives a nod to the Golden Age of Agatha Christie I think, with the murder set in a grand country house that’s fighting for survival, by turning part of it into a country hotel.
There are some very Christie-esque characters: an army major, a vicar, a dowager and of course, the sleuth with his sidekick (in the form of Jackson Brodie and DC Reggie Chase).
There’s art theft, people in disguise, secrets, lies and a truly awful Murder Mystery weekend! And Brodie can’t even get away because of the snowstorm!
This is everything I’d hoped for: funny, clever, fast-paced and immersive. I loved how it all came together at the end.
I can’t wait for the next instalment now!
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Eternals (2021) in Movies
Nov 6, 2021
Now I have to say that there does seem to be some mixed feeling about Eternals upon its initial release and I was a bit dubious upon entering the cinema to check out the film after hearing what “critics” had been saying about the movie, but as with all my reviews, these are my thoughts and as most of you know I do like to give an honest opinion on anything I watch and review.
OK, Eternals is no Avengers, but will we ever get anything that is going to bring us the love that we have all built up with Marvels first three phases, maybe who knows. I found myself enjoying some of the characters more than others. I wasn’t too sure about Dane Whitman (Kit Harrington) but after watching the post-credits scene things are brought to light and it’s looking like we have some exciting times on the way from Marvel Studios in cinemas and coming to Disney+.
OK, Eternals is no Avengers, but will we ever get anything that is going to bring us the love that we have all built up with Marvels first three phases, maybe who knows. I found myself enjoying some of the characters more than others. I wasn’t too sure about Dane Whitman (Kit Harrington) but after watching the post-credits scene things are brought to light and it’s looking like we have some exciting times on the way from Marvel Studios in cinemas and coming to Disney+.
Prince of Frogs (Curse of the Dark Kingdom, #1)
8.0
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Book
At the moment tyrannical King Aegron the Cruel was assassinated, each of his children was struck by...
Fantasy Romance Fairytale Retelling
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Trial of Lotta Rae in Books
Jun 7, 2022
I read this beautifully written book on The Pigeonhole, and I’m so glad that I didn’t miss the opportunity.
The Trial of Lotta Ready Siobhan MacGowan is a story about the legal trial, and subsequent tribulations of a working class girl. Raped at 15 by a wealthy man, Lotta’s Mam and Pap support her in the battle to bring him to justice. But it all goes terribly wrong and before long, Lotta finds herself alone, on the street and trying to live under everyones radar. She is, however, often recognised from the newspaper articles, where they printed all of the lies from the trial.
This is a story of love and loss, betrayal and retribution, privilege and misogyny, with a background of the Suffragette movement and the First World War.
The narrator is, without wanting to give too much away, very interesting - and much more hard hitting because of that choice.
It’s a stunning book and highly recommended.
The Trial of Lotta Ready Siobhan MacGowan is a story about the legal trial, and subsequent tribulations of a working class girl. Raped at 15 by a wealthy man, Lotta’s Mam and Pap support her in the battle to bring him to justice. But it all goes terribly wrong and before long, Lotta finds herself alone, on the street and trying to live under everyones radar. She is, however, often recognised from the newspaper articles, where they printed all of the lies from the trial.
This is a story of love and loss, betrayal and retribution, privilege and misogyny, with a background of the Suffragette movement and the First World War.
The narrator is, without wanting to give too much away, very interesting - and much more hard hitting because of that choice.
It’s a stunning book and highly recommended.
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) in Movies
Aug 11, 2022
Peter cushing (2 more)
Daleks
Roy castle
Watched today I've seen this movie several times over the years and still I love the movie based on the BBC TV show doctor who not many realise back in the 60s they made two movies with the doctor and the daleks in colour and it really is amazing the casting of Peter cushing as the doctor is the best choice in the role plays it so well and then there's Roy Castle who would go on later for a lot of children in the 70s and 80s to make a tv show called record breakers plays the comedy side rather. And then there's the daleks looking glorious in colour for the first time. Recenlty the film had been restored in glorious HD looking better than ever which is the version I watched today. Overall good movie based on a tv but dalek invasion earth 2150 still my favourite of the two
Kourtney Becraft (1 KP) rated A scatter of light in Books
Nov 11, 2022
The book A Scatter of Light written by Malinda Lo was a very wonderfully written novel and a great read. My reasons for choosing to read A Scatter of Light are I love the theme of the novel and Malinda Lo is one of my favorite authors so when I saw this book it was an automatic read for me. I rated A Scatter of Light a four out of five stars because the book was great from the start to the end of it. It's a coming of age story about discovering bisexuality. It takes place during the first major decision dealing with legalizing same sex marriage by the Supreme Court. During the story Aria Tang West is sent to her Grandmother's after a party gone wrong. She goes there exspecting not to have fun until she meets her Grandmother's gardener. Her Grandmother's gardener changes the outcome of her summer for the better. I hope others enjoy this great read too.
We Are Not Like Them
8.0
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Not every story is black and white. Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children,...
Race Literary Fiction Social Justice African American Black Lives Matter
Walk the Deck (Walk the Walk #2) by Marilyn Barr
9.0
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Branko has created a monster. Magda grows more aggressive by the day as she reclaims her inner...
Paranormal Romance Vampires
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Finding Never ( Tasting Never 2) in Books
Oct 8, 2023
145 of 235
Kindle
Finding Never ( Tasting Never 2)
By C.M. Stunich
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Tell me, Never, do you still love him?"
Never Ross and Ty McCabe have come a long way - but they can't stop now. Their pasts are still there, ready to sweep over and consume them if they don't confront them. A visit to Never's family seems like the first logical step, but will it make things better or worse? And what about Noah Scott? Ty is Never's tortured other half, but can he also be the healing balm that she so desperately needs? With McCabe's past still a virtual unknown, Never is going to have to make more than one decision capable of breaking both their hearts.
Oh I loved this compared to book one it was so cute and sweet and a little heartwarming to see Never put things at peace with herself and family! And Ty well just read it to see why 😍
Kindle
Finding Never ( Tasting Never 2)
By C.M. Stunich
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Tell me, Never, do you still love him?"
Never Ross and Ty McCabe have come a long way - but they can't stop now. Their pasts are still there, ready to sweep over and consume them if they don't confront them. A visit to Never's family seems like the first logical step, but will it make things better or worse? And what about Noah Scott? Ty is Never's tortured other half, but can he also be the healing balm that she so desperately needs? With McCabe's past still a virtual unknown, Never is going to have to make more than one decision capable of breaking both their hearts.
Oh I loved this compared to book one it was so cute and sweet and a little heartwarming to see Never put things at peace with herself and family! And Ty well just read it to see why 😍