Search
Search results
The Collectors: A His Dark Materials Story
Book
Now the FX limited series Fosse/Verdon starring Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams with Lin-Manuel...
The Man Of Steel
8.0
Rate It
Book
Genre-defining author Brian Michael Bendis makes his triumphant debut at DC Comics, as an alien...
Altered Carbon
5.5
Rate It
Book
This must-read story is a confident, action-and-violence packed thriller, and future classic noir SF...
Hereafter (Shadowlands #2)
6.0
Rate It
Book
Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2672 KP) rated A Trace of Poison in Books
Aug 14, 2025
Murderous Mystery Fete
The local mystery writers are hosting a Murder Fete to raise funds for the local orphanage, and they have convinced Agatha Christie to invite some of her famous friends. The weekend will include talks about the craft of mystery writing, author signings, and a short story contest where the winner gets a publishing contract on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the opening night’s cocktail reception ends with a murder. Since Phyllida is helping make sure the event is a success, she’s on hand. Can she solve a second real life murder?
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
David McK (3932 KP) rated Star Wars: Convergence (The High Republic #5) in Books
May 30, 2026
When I read the blurb of this, the first thing I immediately thought of was:
Romeo and Juliet.
But in space.
And with warring planets instead of warring families.
Now that I've finished it, I can say that - while there *is* a (strong) element of truth in that, it's also not the whole picture.
Set during the High Republic era of Star Wars (so even before the much-maligned TV series 'The Acolyte'), this was an actually an era I hadn't yet dipped my toes in to - to me, Star Wars has always been in and around the time of the original trilogy (showing my age here).
Still, for a 99 pence offer, I thought I might as well give it a try.
While it's by no means the worst Star Wars book I've read (and I've read a few...), it's also not the strongest contender: there's nothing wrong with it per se, and the setting does free it from the usual Jedi vs Sith shenanigans, and so whilst I may pick up any the direct sequel (by a different author, I believe), I'm also not in any rush to do so.
Romeo and Juliet.
But in space.
And with warring planets instead of warring families.
Now that I've finished it, I can say that - while there *is* a (strong) element of truth in that, it's also not the whole picture.
Set during the High Republic era of Star Wars (so even before the much-maligned TV series 'The Acolyte'), this was an actually an era I hadn't yet dipped my toes in to - to me, Star Wars has always been in and around the time of the original trilogy (showing my age here).
Still, for a 99 pence offer, I thought I might as well give it a try.
While it's by no means the worst Star Wars book I've read (and I've read a few...), it's also not the strongest contender: there's nothing wrong with it per se, and the setting does free it from the usual Jedi vs Sith shenanigans, and so whilst I may pick up any the direct sequel (by a different author, I believe), I'm also not in any rush to do so.
Destiny's Way (The Doomed Earth #2)
6.0
Rate It
Book
Lieutenant Selene Genji is hurled into the past to try and save a world that doesn’t want her in...
Merissa (14214 KP) rated A Little Christmas: Morrie in Books
Dec 19, 2022
MORRIE is part of the Little Christmas series and I loved it from start to finish. Morrie has his issues and Scott is just the person to help him work through them. Scott doesn't push and gives Morrie time and space to figure out what he needs or wants to do. Their relationship is warm and fuzzy from the beginning. Morrie is quite clear on what he can and can't do and Scott is supportive of that.
This is the first book by this author I have read, although I can guarantee it won't be the last. I really need Perry and Silas to get together, plus Russ needs his own partner. Plus, I need to read Hobie and Ambrose's story. I'm hooked!
Heartbreaking, tender, supportive, loving - all these words describe this book. It was an absolute delight and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
This is the first book by this author I have read, although I can guarantee it won't be the last. I really need Perry and Silas to get together, plus Russ needs his own partner. Plus, I need to read Hobie and Ambrose's story. I'm hooked!
Heartbreaking, tender, supportive, loving - all these words describe this book. It was an absolute delight and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Bronze and the Brimstone in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book is the sequel to The Lens and the Looker: Book #1 of the Verona Series (History Camp: the Verona Trilogy) and opens with the main character, Hansum, in a dream. This is actually rather confusing, as I don't realize he is dreaming until afterwards, and it seems like a poorly-timed ploy to re-introduce the reader to what has occurred so far in the series.
Early in the book, Hansum is separated from his friends, but not before he manages to marry Guillietta in secret. What bugs me about this is how Guillietta's father still treats him like a child, even though he is certainly entitled to be treated as an adult by this time. Hansum exhibits a certain level of maturity that few seem to recognize or respect. Once Hansum is moved to a private estate, his story exchanges with the rest of his friends in alternating sections.
The drama that occurs between Shamira and the artist is quite transparent to me. I am not sure if the author intended for the reader to discern the artist's true intentions so easily, but the artist's lack of talent combined with obvious lies and an obsessive interest in the lookers made it apparent what he was really about. I can only feel sorry for Shamira in her first foray into the realm of romance.
Hansum does well at creatively avoiding an engagement to Lady Beatrice, but I had to wonder how long he would be successful at this. With Hansum's almost constant protectiveness over the genie, Pan, I also wondered how long he would really be able to keep up the ruse.
With a greater focus on the technological advancements that Hansum is introducing, and less of a focus on the relationship-building of the first book in the series, this book was better written and a more enjoyable read for me. The author's evident strengths lie in his knowledge of the technology used in the series and the history of 14th-century Verona, so when those are brought to the forefront, the writing is quite intriguing. I still feel that the author is trying to do too much with this novel and trying to appeal to a too-large audience with everything from romance, history, suspense, political intrigue, and technology, to numerous science fiction themes, but it is better written than the first book in the series.
Early in the book, Hansum is separated from his friends, but not before he manages to marry Guillietta in secret. What bugs me about this is how Guillietta's father still treats him like a child, even though he is certainly entitled to be treated as an adult by this time. Hansum exhibits a certain level of maturity that few seem to recognize or respect. Once Hansum is moved to a private estate, his story exchanges with the rest of his friends in alternating sections.
The drama that occurs between Shamira and the artist is quite transparent to me. I am not sure if the author intended for the reader to discern the artist's true intentions so easily, but the artist's lack of talent combined with obvious lies and an obsessive interest in the lookers made it apparent what he was really about. I can only feel sorry for Shamira in her first foray into the realm of romance.
Hansum does well at creatively avoiding an engagement to Lady Beatrice, but I had to wonder how long he would be successful at this. With Hansum's almost constant protectiveness over the genie, Pan, I also wondered how long he would really be able to keep up the ruse.
With a greater focus on the technological advancements that Hansum is introducing, and less of a focus on the relationship-building of the first book in the series, this book was better written and a more enjoyable read for me. The author's evident strengths lie in his knowledge of the technology used in the series and the history of 14th-century Verona, so when those are brought to the forefront, the writing is quite intriguing. I still feel that the author is trying to do too much with this novel and trying to appeal to a too-large audience with everything from romance, history, suspense, political intrigue, and technology, to numerous science fiction themes, but it is better written than the first book in the series.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated This Secret We're Keeping in Books
Dec 7, 2018
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
A pupil and a teacher. Is it ever right to break the rules?</i> This is the dilemma which debut author Rebecca Done basis her novel on. <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> is set seventeen years after a maths teacher began an inappropriate relationship with a schoolgirl; but did he really deserve what happened to him, after all he loved her and she loved him?
Jess has never got over her love for the teacher she ran away with when she was fifteen. Although she has got her life together: living in Norfolk, freelance catering business, a rich boyfriend; she cannot help but think back to way Mr. Landley, Matthew, made her feel. Suddenly, after a chance encounter, Matthew is back in her life with a new name, Will, and a girlfriend and daughter. Delighted to see each other again, it is not long before they fall back into their illicit affair, however the potential consequences are almost as bad as the previous time.
<i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> causes the reader to question strong personal beliefs, primarily whether a teacher-student relationship is as wrong as it sounds. If certain events in this novel were to be made public through the media, the majority would instantly hate Matthew, deem him a paedophile, and be satisfied with his punishment. However on reading the situation from his point of view, initial opinions begin to crumble. It appears he genuinely loved Jess, and she him; there were no abusive occurrences, and it was Jess that instigated the relationship in the first place. Did Matthew truly deserve to go to prison for something that would have been legal in a year’s time?
Matthew/Will’s narrative helps to show that it is virtually impossible to pinpoint a single moment that changes a life forever. At which point did he know that he had stepped over the line from right to wrong? In hindsight it is fairly obvious, but at the time the warning signs are not so clear.
Due to the challenging of preset judgments, <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> can often be difficult to read. Whilst on the one hand logic will be screaming, “This is wrong!” Done plays with her readers’ sentimentalities to consider the other side of the argument. As the novel progresses it becomes easier to fall in line with Jess and Matthew/Will’s viewpoints, however a brief interaction towards the end forces readers to temporarily reconsider their forgone conclusion. After all, how much can a first person narrative really be trusted?
Having read the blurb I admit I was a bit wary about reading this book. For one, it falls under the genre of Chick Lit, which I am not all that fond of, but secondly the book’s theme appeared rather controversial. On the whole, <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> was much better than I was anticipating, however I began to lose interest towards the end as nothing much had changed throughout the present day chapters, and it was already obvious how the past narrative would pan out. The ending is also frustratingly ambiguous, as we never find out whether either of the key characters gets a “happy ever after.”
If you are someone who enjoys Chick Lit, do not let the themes of the book put you off. <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> is essentially a romance story, one that is written remarkably well for a first time author. Rebecca Done will be a name to look out for in the world of contemporary literature.
A pupil and a teacher. Is it ever right to break the rules?</i> This is the dilemma which debut author Rebecca Done basis her novel on. <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> is set seventeen years after a maths teacher began an inappropriate relationship with a schoolgirl; but did he really deserve what happened to him, after all he loved her and she loved him?
Jess has never got over her love for the teacher she ran away with when she was fifteen. Although she has got her life together: living in Norfolk, freelance catering business, a rich boyfriend; she cannot help but think back to way Mr. Landley, Matthew, made her feel. Suddenly, after a chance encounter, Matthew is back in her life with a new name, Will, and a girlfriend and daughter. Delighted to see each other again, it is not long before they fall back into their illicit affair, however the potential consequences are almost as bad as the previous time.
<i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> causes the reader to question strong personal beliefs, primarily whether a teacher-student relationship is as wrong as it sounds. If certain events in this novel were to be made public through the media, the majority would instantly hate Matthew, deem him a paedophile, and be satisfied with his punishment. However on reading the situation from his point of view, initial opinions begin to crumble. It appears he genuinely loved Jess, and she him; there were no abusive occurrences, and it was Jess that instigated the relationship in the first place. Did Matthew truly deserve to go to prison for something that would have been legal in a year’s time?
Matthew/Will’s narrative helps to show that it is virtually impossible to pinpoint a single moment that changes a life forever. At which point did he know that he had stepped over the line from right to wrong? In hindsight it is fairly obvious, but at the time the warning signs are not so clear.
Due to the challenging of preset judgments, <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> can often be difficult to read. Whilst on the one hand logic will be screaming, “This is wrong!” Done plays with her readers’ sentimentalities to consider the other side of the argument. As the novel progresses it becomes easier to fall in line with Jess and Matthew/Will’s viewpoints, however a brief interaction towards the end forces readers to temporarily reconsider their forgone conclusion. After all, how much can a first person narrative really be trusted?
Having read the blurb I admit I was a bit wary about reading this book. For one, it falls under the genre of Chick Lit, which I am not all that fond of, but secondly the book’s theme appeared rather controversial. On the whole, <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> was much better than I was anticipating, however I began to lose interest towards the end as nothing much had changed throughout the present day chapters, and it was already obvious how the past narrative would pan out. The ending is also frustratingly ambiguous, as we never find out whether either of the key characters gets a “happy ever after.”
If you are someone who enjoys Chick Lit, do not let the themes of the book put you off. <i>This Secret We’re Keeping</i> is essentially a romance story, one that is written remarkably well for a first time author. Rebecca Done will be a name to look out for in the world of contemporary literature.