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Written in the Blood (The String Diaries #2)
Written in the Blood (The String Diaries #2)
Stephen Lloyd Jones | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Written in the Blood was a mystical, thrilling, gripping adventure that feels like it takes place far away in a distant land, but like it could also take place right in your hometown. The mystery never dissipates, even as the story continues to grow and develop. Even as I learned more about these strange people and their strange enemies, it was like they still remained a marvelous mystery.

The climax was shocking, the conclusion was beautiful and full of hope. I loved every minute of the adventure and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a kick-ass heroine and good plot with a hint of the supernatural in their life.

apparently this is the second book in the series, but I didn’t know until I looked it up on Goodreads. It was wonderful by itself.

Recommendation: ages 17+ for intense scenes
  
AW
A Wanted Woman
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How many female assassin's have you come across in your lifetime. Probably not too many. And that is exactly what the Barbarians are expecting when they send MX-401 out in the field. The woman with a thousand faces. Beautiful enough to entice any man, but dangerous enough to handle herself. When MX-401 aka. Goldilocks Reaper is sent to Trinidad on a mission, she is forced to improvise, due to false intel. Unfortunately, this makes her targets and her bosses very upset. Sent to the island of Barbados to escape Trinidad, she is trapped on this island with no way out. Her company isn't paying her and the LKs from Trinidad are hunting her down. Will she make it out of Barbados? A gripping novel, that will leave you wanting to be a female assassin.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The White Crow (2018) in Movies

Mar 28, 2019 (Updated Mar 28, 2019)  
The White Crow (2018)
The White Crow (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama
Left-field remake focuses less on vengeful undead Goths and more on cold war politics and ballet dancing. Talented, driven, arrogant dancer Rudolf Nureyev chafes against the Soviet system seeking to exploit and control him; a visit to Paris offers him the hope of freedom. (You know, the more I think about it, the more I suspect this doesn't actually have anything to do with that Brandon Lee movie...)

Solid, typically measured stuff from Ralph 'Little Sunbeam' Fiennes; strong performances and good photography, together with a thoughtful script, make this engaging even if you're not that into people bounding around doing plies and what-have-you. Sags a bit in the middle, but the scenes depicting Nureyev's defection are gripping. Oleg Ivenko isn't quite the full Rudolf, but he gets near enough (thanks everyone, I'm here all week).
  
The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #5; Harry Bosch Universe, #25)
The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #5; Harry Bosch Universe, #25)
Michael Connelly | 2013 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mickey Haller’s latest murder case involves the death of a prostitute with her pimp as the prime suspect. Only Mickey knew Gloria when she was alive, working out what he thought was a deal to get her out of the life. Where has she been for the last eight years? And can Mickey get his client off when the odds keep piling up against him?

This was another gripping legal thriller that was almost impossible to stop reading. There were great twists and surprises along the way, yet there was still time for the characters to continue growing. I hope it isn’t too long before we are treated with another case for this great team.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-gods-of-guilt-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins | 2016 | Mystery, Thriller
8
7.6 (173 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gripping thriller by an excellent author. Girl on the Train doesn't fail to excite you the whole way through, with twists and turns around every corner!

Rachel is a troubled, and somewhat annoying and nosey, character who leads us through her bland existence which begins unravelling due to events she would have been better keeping her nose out of, but you'll be glad she did! This story comes at you thick and fast, entertaining anybody who reads it.

Though I predicted most of the end of the book by about halfway in, that didn't take any of the excitement away from the story and it actually made want to keep turning the pages to see how things were going to turn out.

A book I've recommended highly to many family and friends, be sure not to miss this off your reading list!
  
Prisoner 4374 by A.J. Griffiths-Jones
Prisoner 4374 by A.J. Griffiths-Jones
A.J. Griffiths-Jones | 2017 | Crime
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
I can honestly say the true crime reader won't be disappointed with this gripping account of the life and times of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream the Lambeth poisoner.The book is well researched and well written and I highly recommend you read it.

Spolier alert

A.J's book proves with little room for doubt that Dr.Thomas Neill Cream was not and could not have been Jack the Ripper. The book is made even more appealing my the way the author has chosen to write the book. She has given the book a unique perceptive by allowing Dr Cream to tell the reader his story from his point of view you. So if you haven't already, read the book and allow Dr Cream to take you on journey through his life that ultimately ends on the steps of the gallows.
  
The Affair  - Season 1
The Affair - Season 1
2014 | Drama
Excellent gripping drama/mystery. The lives of Noah's family and Alison's family become entangled when the bored wannabe author falls for the free spirit, but damaged, waitress. Brilliant depiction of the thrill and excitement of a new relationship but also the hurt inflicted on others as that is revealed.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
  
Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Jay Asher | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
10
7.8 (108 Ratings)
Book Rating
Story line (1 more)
The brutal truth
Contains spoilers, click to show
This show has some bad press but the inflencial essence this show has and the benefits and awareness it gives to viewers who have suffered or inflicted is amazing
The Hannah baker rape seen is brutal and explicit but it shows that not phisycally fighting back doesn't not make it rape
The suicide scene has especially explicit content but show the brutal truth to the consequences of other people's hurtful actions and doesn't glorify the fact but In all essence spreads awareness and honestly believe this show is a must watch for anyone and everyone who is or has a teenager going into high school the show keeps you gripping your seat and in some cases hard to watch but the brutally honest truth to what goes on in a lot of children's lives.
  
Rivers of London: The First PC Grant Mystery
Rivers of London: The First PC Grant Mystery
Ben Aaronovitch | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lovable characters and a gripping plot. (0 more)
Laugh out loud read
Ben Aaronovitch has excelled himself in this novel. Having never read any urban fantasy books before, I was dubious about reading this book, which was purchased for me as a gift. Having picked up the book during a bored moment on holiday, I became hooked before the end of the first chapter.


PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.

Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
  
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Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Red Snow in Books

Jan 13, 2019  
Red Snow
Red Snow
Will Dean | 2019 | Crime
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characterisation (0 more)
Gripping Scandinavian Crime
This is Dean's second novel featuring reporter Tuva Moodyson.

Set in the northerly town of Gravik, death arrives in the shape of suicide: the owner of the town's main employer - a liqourice factory - throws himself to his death one morning.

It's solid piece of crime fiction with a plot that weaves around and throws out plenty of misdirection, keeping the reader on their puzzle-solving toes.

What gives this book edge is the characters. Dean has delivered some of the most believable female characters I have ever read, and chief amongst them is Cece. That old woman is an absolute delight and should have books all of her own. I don't know if she is modelled on a flesh and blood person, but Will gets full marks just for writing her in.