Search
Search results
The Sentry
8.5
Rate It
Book
Private investigators Joe Pike and Elvis Cole get double-crossed in this twisty, gripping New York...
Too many slow episodes (1 more)
Not what I expected
Disappointing
This looked interesting, a spin off series from silence of the lambs set a few months later.
It's all over the place with some very good episodes but far too many slow rather dull episodes. Rather than tracking serial killers as you might expect this covers many areas of the FBI. The main plot running through the series is of some murders to cover up the results of a drug trial of a major company. It goes off track at times and can be hard to follow. More due to lack of interest. The ties to the Silence of the lambs which pop up tend to be the best episodes.
Overall not a very gripping storyline make it slightly disappointing.
It's all over the place with some very good episodes but far too many slow rather dull episodes. Rather than tracking serial killers as you might expect this covers many areas of the FBI. The main plot running through the series is of some murders to cover up the results of a drug trial of a major company. It goes off track at times and can be hard to follow. More due to lack of interest. The ties to the Silence of the lambs which pop up tend to be the best episodes.
Overall not a very gripping storyline make it slightly disappointing.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Nanny Needed in Books
Apr 28, 2022
This is a gripping story that had me eagerly listening at every opportunity.
Sarah is up to her eyes in debt and when she comes across an advert for a job as a nanny which could be the answer to her troubles, she jumps at the chance but if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!!
Sarah quickly discovers that the people she is working for a little bit odd and as secrets are revealed, she is in too deep to get out.
A very entertaining and engrossing story with a twist that I didn't see coming and with a narrator who does a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Sarah is up to her eyes in debt and when she comes across an advert for a job as a nanny which could be the answer to her troubles, she jumps at the chance but if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!!
Sarah quickly discovers that the people she is working for a little bit odd and as secrets are revealed, she is in too deep to get out.
A very entertaining and engrossing story with a twist that I didn't see coming and with a narrator who does a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The War Pianist in Books
Feb 19, 2023
Who knew radio operators during WWII were known as pianists? I certainly didn't.
The story is told from the perspectives of the two pianists ... Marnie in London and Connie in Amsterdam. Marnie and Connie are exceptionally strong characters and the author transported me into their worlds amongst the bombs of the blitz and the invasion of the Nazi's where trust can be a dangerous thing.
With oodles of tension, the fear palpable and the bravery and courage of those working against the Nazi war machine excellently portrayed, the War Pianist is a gripping story and whilst this is a work of fiction, it felt authentic and was totally riveting.
Many thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The War Pianist.
The story is told from the perspectives of the two pianists ... Marnie in London and Connie in Amsterdam. Marnie and Connie are exceptionally strong characters and the author transported me into their worlds amongst the bombs of the blitz and the invasion of the Nazi's where trust can be a dangerous thing.
With oodles of tension, the fear palpable and the bravery and courage of those working against the Nazi war machine excellently portrayed, the War Pianist is a gripping story and whilst this is a work of fiction, it felt authentic and was totally riveting.
Many thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The War Pianist.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Unforgivable (2021) in Movies
Jan 7, 2022
Great story
Well after watching a short while I realised this is actually based on a short TV series from the UK in 2009 starring Suranne Jones. A really gripping drama. This is basically a remake but set in the US.
The key story elements are the same as a young woman released after a long period in Prison for killing a cop tries to track down her younger sister. She struggles as her past catches up and the victims family are keen for revenge.
It holds up pretty well to the original, the writer also help produced this. Just the ending seemed a little less dramatic in this version. Still a very good story and a gritty role for Sandra Bullock.
The key story elements are the same as a young woman released after a long period in Prison for killing a cop tries to track down her younger sister. She struggles as her past catches up and the victims family are keen for revenge.
It holds up pretty well to the original, the writer also help produced this. Just the ending seemed a little less dramatic in this version. Still a very good story and a gritty role for Sandra Bullock.
The Whispering Muse
9.0
Rate It
Book
Be careful what you wish for... it may just come true. At The Mercury Theatre in London's West...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Craftsman (The Craftsman, #1) in Books
Dec 25, 2023
203 of 235
Book
The Craftsman (book. 1)
By Sharon Bolton
⭐️⭐️⭐️
OLD ENEMIES... NEW CRIMES
Thirty years ago, WPC Florence Lovelady's career was made when she arrested coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook for three shocking murders.
Larry confessed; it was an open and shut case. But now he's dead, and events from the past are repeating themselves.
The town Florence left behind still has many secrets. Will she finally uncover the truth? Or will time run out for her first?
This was a decent read I did enjoy it but it took me a while to read. It wasn’t as gripping as I expected. These poor children it was so heartbreaking and I didn’t really see that ending and I’m normally pretty good at catching the killer. Overall it was a good read!
Book
The Craftsman (book. 1)
By Sharon Bolton
⭐️⭐️⭐️
OLD ENEMIES... NEW CRIMES
Thirty years ago, WPC Florence Lovelady's career was made when she arrested coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook for three shocking murders.
Larry confessed; it was an open and shut case. But now he's dead, and events from the past are repeating themselves.
The town Florence left behind still has many secrets. Will she finally uncover the truth? Or will time run out for her first?
This was a decent read I did enjoy it but it took me a while to read. It wasn’t as gripping as I expected. These poor children it was so heartbreaking and I didn’t really see that ending and I’m normally pretty good at catching the killer. Overall it was a good read!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Serial in Podcasts
Jan 4, 2018 (Updated Jan 4, 2018)
Gripping first series, second underwhelming
Serial is one of those high-trending true crime phenomena, gripping a nation similar to the likes of @Making A Murderer - Season 1. The first series follows the murder case of a young student Hae Min Lee, allegedly killed by her former boyfriend Adnan Syed and the apparent failings in the investigation. Is he guilty or innocent? Journalist Sarah Koenig tries to retrace the steps of both Adnan and other suspects to get to the bottom of this disturbing story in 12 episodes.
The first series is well-made, each episode carefully crafted to leave you on a cliffhanger. It is easy to binge-listen, but like MAM, there are parts that have been omitted from the case, so not all is what it actually seems. Either way, I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
The second series, unfortunately, is an entirely different ballgame. Unlike its true crime predecessor, Koenig looks at the infamous case of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, a US soldier who allegedly defected and was subsequently captured by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. The series focuses on his perception and experiences, and eventual vilification, as his release caused much political controversy over whether a deal should have been negotiated or not. The price of his freedom was an exchange for five Taliban-linked inmates held at maximum security prison Guantanamo Bay. The reason he says, for his defection, was that he attempted to become a whistleblower for the apparently mismanaged unit he belonged to.
Sadly, as with most popular media, the change in direction with the podcast came at a price, as many felt the subject was too dry and too heavy. With dense military language, it seem to become too bogged down with the details, losing its edge.
It's not a perfect podcast, but the first series is still worth the listen.
The first series is well-made, each episode carefully crafted to leave you on a cliffhanger. It is easy to binge-listen, but like MAM, there are parts that have been omitted from the case, so not all is what it actually seems. Either way, I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
The second series, unfortunately, is an entirely different ballgame. Unlike its true crime predecessor, Koenig looks at the infamous case of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, a US soldier who allegedly defected and was subsequently captured by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. The series focuses on his perception and experiences, and eventual vilification, as his release caused much political controversy over whether a deal should have been negotiated or not. The price of his freedom was an exchange for five Taliban-linked inmates held at maximum security prison Guantanamo Bay. The reason he says, for his defection, was that he attempted to become a whistleblower for the apparently mismanaged unit he belonged to.
Sadly, as with most popular media, the change in direction with the podcast came at a price, as many felt the subject was too dry and too heavy. With dense military language, it seem to become too bogged down with the details, losing its edge.
It's not a perfect podcast, but the first series is still worth the listen.
After-all-this-time? (11 KP) rated 13 Reasons Why - Season 1 in TV
Dec 30, 2018 (Updated Dec 30, 2018)
Very gripping (3 more)
Thought provoking
Emotional
Relatable cast
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was gripped from episode 1 of 13 Reasons. The cast of young actors and actresses are brilliant, and they made it a really gripping show.
The show not only touches upon, but runs head long into some very serious, hard hitting subjects, including sexual assault and rape, bullying, sexuality, drink driving, peer pressure and, of course, mental health and suicide. So, definitely not one for the easily upset. It portrays all of them in a very honest, very graphic way. It can definitely be upsetting, but is very thought provoking and helps you see things from several different perspectives. It was great seeing mental health finally being spoken about and highlighted in such a mainstream way, without it being belittled.
The storyline follows Clay, a teenage boy, who has recently suffered a bereavement in the form if the suicide of his friend and love interest, Hannah. Some time after Hannah's death, a package containing several tapes is delivered to Clay's house, with instructions for him to listen to them. Every side of each tape describes how each of the 13 people the tapes are intended for contributed to Hannah feeling as she did. Not only does she explain her feelings and why she committed suicide, but also how their actions have had repercussions for other people. They reveal, deep, dark and dangerous secrets about a large number of peoole at their High School, and the revelation of the tapes to the public has the potential to destroy multiple lives, and sees multiple people getting hurt, physically and emotionally.
How far will Clay listen? Can he change things to make things right for others? Can he get restitution for Hannah? And what dark secrets is he going to reveal along the way? Hit play, and find out! You won't regret it.
The show not only touches upon, but runs head long into some very serious, hard hitting subjects, including sexual assault and rape, bullying, sexuality, drink driving, peer pressure and, of course, mental health and suicide. So, definitely not one for the easily upset. It portrays all of them in a very honest, very graphic way. It can definitely be upsetting, but is very thought provoking and helps you see things from several different perspectives. It was great seeing mental health finally being spoken about and highlighted in such a mainstream way, without it being belittled.
The storyline follows Clay, a teenage boy, who has recently suffered a bereavement in the form if the suicide of his friend and love interest, Hannah. Some time after Hannah's death, a package containing several tapes is delivered to Clay's house, with instructions for him to listen to them. Every side of each tape describes how each of the 13 people the tapes are intended for contributed to Hannah feeling as she did. Not only does she explain her feelings and why she committed suicide, but also how their actions have had repercussions for other people. They reveal, deep, dark and dangerous secrets about a large number of peoole at their High School, and the revelation of the tapes to the public has the potential to destroy multiple lives, and sees multiple people getting hurt, physically and emotionally.
How far will Clay listen? Can he change things to make things right for others? Can he get restitution for Hannah? And what dark secrets is he going to reveal along the way? Hit play, and find out! You won't regret it.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Scent of Death (David Hunter #6) in Books
Sep 27, 2019
Gripping
I remember, many moons ago, reading The Chemistry of Death and Written in Bone and thoroughly enjoying them and have always had Simon Beckett on my radar as an author to pick up but alas I seem to have been side-tracked by the sheer plethora of excellent books out there so have sadly missed out on the other books in this series but on starting to read this, it was like putting on a comfy pair of slippers and snuggling down on the sofa (or, in my case whilst on holiday, in front of a swimming pool in the Portuguese sun) and losing a few hours amongst the pages of this gripping book.
The blurb gives an outline of what the story is about so I won't repeat it but what I will say is that it's as good, if not better, as it sounds. The setting is perfect and provides an additional layer of atmosphere and general creepiness and tension to this excellent book. The characters are well developed and believable; the details of the forensic side is not over done or too technical that you either get lost or lose interest and the plot development and twists means this is one book that I found hard to put down (cliché I know, but true).
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of fast-paced thrillers from a different perspective than the usual police-procedurals and don't be put off that this is the 6th in the series as it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
My thanks go to the Publisher via NetGalley for accepting my request for a copy in return for an honest and unbiased review; you have helped to remind me of how good Simon Beckett's work is.
The blurb gives an outline of what the story is about so I won't repeat it but what I will say is that it's as good, if not better, as it sounds. The setting is perfect and provides an additional layer of atmosphere and general creepiness and tension to this excellent book. The characters are well developed and believable; the details of the forensic side is not over done or too technical that you either get lost or lose interest and the plot development and twists means this is one book that I found hard to put down (cliché I know, but true).
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of fast-paced thrillers from a different perspective than the usual police-procedurals and don't be put off that this is the 6th in the series as it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
My thanks go to the Publisher via NetGalley for accepting my request for a copy in return for an honest and unbiased review; you have helped to remind me of how good Simon Beckett's work is.