Search
Search results

Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Clean Win (A Sam Quinton Mystery #4) in Books
Apr 28, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Homicide Hérault (Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery #6) in Books
Jan 26, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Hardy Durkin is on a bicycle tour around France with his group. As they are following a delightful path a couple of the group decide to have a little splash in the water so one of the group goes behind a rock to change and ends up getting the fright of her life, 2 skeletons. Hardy contacts his friends who are in the know and discover a lot more!
I have enjoyed this story it is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is a lot of good information which is very interesting to read. I had an issue with one of Bluette's previously and was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to upset her if I didn't like the story or style of writing, but there were no issues at all with that she has done a fantastic job and made it legible and exciting. Well done, Bluette, a fantastic job.
Recommended by me
** 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. *
Hardy Durkin is on a bicycle tour around France with his group. As they are following a delightful path a couple of the group decide to have a little splash in the water so one of the group goes behind a rock to change and ends up getting the fright of her life, 2 skeletons. Hardy contacts his friends who are in the know and discover a lot more!
I have enjoyed this story it is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is a lot of good information which is very interesting to read. I had an issue with one of Bluette's previously and was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to upset her if I didn't like the story or style of writing, but there were no issues at all with that she has done a fantastic job and made it legible and exciting. Well done, Bluette, a fantastic job.
Recommended by me
** 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 (12897 KP) rated Forever Ink (Tewsbury Daddies #2) in Books
Nov 24, 2023
FOREVER INK is the second book in the Tewsbury Daddies series, and we follow Rhys and Simon as they prepare for their first Christmas together. Rhys only has bad memories of Christmas, so Simon is determined to make it one to remember for him. But Simon doesn't know about Rhys' own surprise he has planned!
There is a lot that goes on in this story. You not only catch up with Rhys and Simon, but you also have interactions with Simon's dad, Rhys' grandad, Mouse, Cal, and Cullen, as well as a character from book one that Rhys would rather forget. There is a lot of background-building for future books, which is great, but I do feel it took the edge off Rhys and Simon. So much time is spent with others that I found myself missing the connection and playtime between Rhys and Simon.
I still enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 22, 2023
There is a lot that goes on in this story. You not only catch up with Rhys and Simon, but you also have interactions with Simon's dad, Rhys' grandad, Mouse, Cal, and Cullen, as well as a character from book one that Rhys would rather forget. There is a lot of background-building for future books, which is great, but I do feel it took the edge off Rhys and Simon. So much time is spent with others that I found myself missing the connection and playtime between Rhys and Simon.
I still enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 22, 2023

Merissa (12897 KP) rated Demon Princess (Demon Kingdom Fairy Tales #1) in Books
May 24, 2023
Adriana is a Demon Princess who is about to ascend to the throne, due to the disappearance of her father and brother, who was the heir. She is convinced that they are still alive and plans on finding them as soon as she can. However, when she is pulled away from her world at her coronation, she finds things that will change her perspectives on a lot of things.
This is a well-written, detailed, fantasy that skips on some parts and not on others. There is a generic description of places, oftentimes vague, but the characters are well-described and rounded. With connections between the main ones, they are easy to read about. There is obviously a lot more to come with this story, and it does end with a sort of cliffhanger, just to advise you. Time skips ahead with this novel, and months pass in quite a quick time.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this was an enjoyable read into a world with magic and perils aplenty. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Feb 27, 2016
This is a well-written, detailed, fantasy that skips on some parts and not on others. There is a generic description of places, oftentimes vague, but the characters are well-described and rounded. With connections between the main ones, they are easy to read about. There is obviously a lot more to come with this story, and it does end with a sort of cliffhanger, just to advise you. Time skips ahead with this novel, and months pass in quite a quick time.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this was an enjoyable read into a world with magic and perils aplenty. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Feb 27, 2016

Merissa (12897 KP) rated Finding Finlay (Hawthorne Bluff #1) in Books
Jun 5, 2023
FINDING FINLAY is the first book in the Hawthorne Bluff series and tells the tale of Clay, who fell in with a bad crowd after moving to Chicago and did his time, and also Finlay, local boy done good who stayed in Hawthorne Bluff. Now, Clay's back in town so maybe the timing is finally right for them both.
I enjoyed this story. It was low-angst considering the set-up of the story but I will admit to not really having much of a connection with the main characters. For me, it seemed like there was a lot of telling, and not a lot of showing. Plus, things were mentioned and sorted out so easily. I'm not into trouble where there really shouldn't be but this was just too easy. Even the thread of uncertainty that ran through it was sorted out very quickly and with little hassle.
All in all, a good story that I enjoyed.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 5, 2023
I enjoyed this story. It was low-angst considering the set-up of the story but I will admit to not really having much of a connection with the main characters. For me, it seemed like there was a lot of telling, and not a lot of showing. Plus, things were mentioned and sorted out so easily. I'm not into trouble where there really shouldn't be but this was just too easy. Even the thread of uncertainty that ran through it was sorted out very quickly and with little hassle.
All in all, a good story that I enjoyed.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 5, 2023

David McK (3562 KP) rated Black Adam (2022) in Movies
Jul 2, 2023
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson did a lot of cheerleading for this movie.
Like, a lot.
I was still completely unaware, however, that it would include Pierce Brosnan's Dr Fate nor Hawkman not Atom Smasher nor Cyclone (all of which, for me, were the first time I had seen any of them on the big screen).
It also fits into the - current - DCEU - with Black Adam getting his powers from the same council of Wizards as Shazam (and using the same word), alongside cameos by Viola Davis' version of Amanda Waller and - in possibly the worst kept secret - a certain superhero during the end credits (the actor for who was told he would be returning to that role, then told not).
Anyway, this sees The Rock's Black Adam released from his tomb 5 centuries after being imprisoned within it, to modern-day Kahndaq which is now occupied by foreign invaders with some very advanced weaponry. The plot is then your usual run-of-the-mill softening of Adam's hard edges, teaming up with his supposed enemies to fight his real enemies, lots of destruction and a few general quips thrown in ...
The result? Somewhat messy; not as good (or surreal) as, say, Aquaman or Wonder Woman. Maybe a B+.
Like, a lot.
I was still completely unaware, however, that it would include Pierce Brosnan's Dr Fate nor Hawkman not Atom Smasher nor Cyclone (all of which, for me, were the first time I had seen any of them on the big screen).
It also fits into the - current - DCEU - with Black Adam getting his powers from the same council of Wizards as Shazam (and using the same word), alongside cameos by Viola Davis' version of Amanda Waller and - in possibly the worst kept secret - a certain superhero during the end credits (the actor for who was told he would be returning to that role, then told not).
Anyway, this sees The Rock's Black Adam released from his tomb 5 centuries after being imprisoned within it, to modern-day Kahndaq which is now occupied by foreign invaders with some very advanced weaponry. The plot is then your usual run-of-the-mill softening of Adam's hard edges, teaming up with his supposed enemies to fight his real enemies, lots of destruction and a few general quips thrown in ...
The result? Somewhat messy; not as good (or surreal) as, say, Aquaman or Wonder Woman. Maybe a B+.

Dean (6927 KP) rated Avatar (2009) in Movies
Sep 21, 2017
Amazing visuals
A great, stunning audio/visual treat for the senses! The story though has been done quiet a few times already it has to be said. It didn't feel like a 2.5 hour film. The level of detail and creativeness in terms of the alien planet Pandora and creature design was great. I can understand the hype for this, it does take a lot of things to the next level. It has some great action scenes. However on the whole the plot is not ground breaking by any means. Still one that has to be seen and experienced!

Ross (3284 KP) rated 24: Legacy - Season 1 in TV
Oct 2, 2017
Should really have been called "12". The series ends at the end of episode 12 with the line "12 hours later" and then a final scene.
It was a decent show, though a lot of it had been done before in 24. Having a non-CTU employed ex-marine as the new Jack Bower was an interesting premise but it also felt a bit hard to believe. Would he really risk everything like he did? Maybe, but I doubt it.
My advice would be to not think of this as being 24 and try to enjoy it in its own right.
It was a decent show, though a lot of it had been done before in 24. Having a non-CTU employed ex-marine as the new Jack Bower was an interesting premise but it also felt a bit hard to believe. Would he really risk everything like he did? Maybe, but I doubt it.
My advice would be to not think of this as being 24 and try to enjoy it in its own right.

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance in Books
Oct 7, 2017
Work hard, and smart, don't just rely on talent
I'm always a little dubious about books in the self-help genre as 200 pages can be translated into one tagline. However, as a book, Grit is intelligently put together, with interesting research and anecdotes which was pleasant to read. You do need to use external resources that she provides from time to time, which I didn't do, so some of it may not make complete sense.
And unlike a lot of pretentious self-help books, Angela Duckworth is a pioneer in her field, and she keeps the self-congratulations to a minimum.
And unlike a lot of pretentious self-help books, Angela Duckworth is a pioneer in her field, and she keeps the self-congratulations to a minimum.

Southern Today (21 KP) rated After the Dark (2014) in Movies
Nov 6, 2017
After the Dark: A Movie Review
Philosophy in a movie. Actually.
This entire movie is based around the final day in a philosophy and what they would do if only half of them could go into a bunker at the end of the world and how they would chose who would go, and what would happen after.
I loved this movie. I watched with a friend and we had a lot of discussions.
Also, Ginny from Harry Potter was in this movie.
If y;all would like a more indepth review, let me know and I can update this!
This entire movie is based around the final day in a philosophy and what they would do if only half of them could go into a bunker at the end of the world and how they would chose who would go, and what would happen after.
I loved this movie. I watched with a friend and we had a lot of discussions.
Also, Ginny from Harry Potter was in this movie.
If y;all would like a more indepth review, let me know and I can update this!