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All the Names They Used for God: Stories
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Spanning centuries, continents, and a diverse set of characters, these alluringly strange stories...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers [Audiobook] in Books
Apr 16, 2023
![Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/300/2ffa3ab2-a7f9-4edd-8d81-161ea4223300.jpg?m=1681658635)
After initially thinking "oh dear, I'm not going to like this", the more I listened the more I grew to love Vera Wong.
Vera lives on her own after the death of her husband, her son being successful and not in her life quite as much as she would like. Once a thriving tea shop, Vera Wang's World Famous Tea House is now on it's last legs having only one regular customer so when she discovers a dead body in the middle of her shop one morning, she decides it has to be murder and begins to investigate and find out who killed Marshall.
Using her own logic, Vera decides that those who turn up at her shop to ask questions about the body immediately become suspects and she begins to ingratiate herself into their lives using her forthright nature, a little bit of manipulation, fantastic cooking and, if course, tea.
As the story develops, we get to know each of the characters and suspects more so by the end, you don't want any of them to be guilty of murder but one of them must be surely?
This is definitely within the 'cosy mystery' genre and whilst there is little action, I was caught up in the story hook, line and sinker and desperate to know what the ultimate outcome was going to be and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
The narrator was excellent and she totally drew me into the story and into Vera's life. This, for me, was definitely a book to listen to rather than to read myself and I am hopeful that Vera will do more investigating in the future.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.
Vera lives on her own after the death of her husband, her son being successful and not in her life quite as much as she would like. Once a thriving tea shop, Vera Wang's World Famous Tea House is now on it's last legs having only one regular customer so when she discovers a dead body in the middle of her shop one morning, she decides it has to be murder and begins to investigate and find out who killed Marshall.
Using her own logic, Vera decides that those who turn up at her shop to ask questions about the body immediately become suspects and she begins to ingratiate herself into their lives using her forthright nature, a little bit of manipulation, fantastic cooking and, if course, tea.
As the story develops, we get to know each of the characters and suspects more so by the end, you don't want any of them to be guilty of murder but one of them must be surely?
This is definitely within the 'cosy mystery' genre and whilst there is little action, I was caught up in the story hook, line and sinker and desperate to know what the ultimate outcome was going to be and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
The narrator was excellent and she totally drew me into the story and into Vera's life. This, for me, was definitely a book to listen to rather than to read myself and I am hopeful that Vera will do more investigating in the future.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.
Monument Valley
Games and Entertainment
8.0
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** Apple Game of the Year 2014 ** ** Winner of Apple Design Award 2014 ** In Monument Valley you...
Catriona Ward has got to be one of the best thriller writers around at the moment. I loved The Last House on Needless Street (although it was strange) and this book was just as good, and even more odd. I can’t say that I enjoyed the book as it touched upon some horrifying themes, but I couldn’t put it down as I needed to know what happened. When it came to the twists, I didn’t see most of them coming and Sundial had me guessing the whole way through. The cliffhanger that Catriona Ward ended this book on left some hope that the ending wasn’t as bad as it could be, but also left me with so many questions that are going to remain unsolved.
We meet Rob, a mother who seems to be in a bad marriage with Irving, who seems to cheat on her constantly. There is a lot of manipulation and abuse that is obvious throughout the book, and you consistently wonder why they are still together and don’t just leave each other. Things get worse when Rob starts to suspect something is wrong with her eldest daughter, Callie, and ends up taking Callie back to her childhood home in the desert: Sundial. Here, Rob tells Callie her story and hopes that it explains why Rob and ultimately Callie are the way they are.
I didn’t see the twists coming, and I was shocked by each one right up to the very end of the book. I would say that there should be some trigger warnings for domestic violence and animal abuse though, although the animal abuse isn’t in detail and is glossed over enough to not upset the reader but that they still know what is going on. I look forward to reading more of Catriona Ward’s books in the future.
We meet Rob, a mother who seems to be in a bad marriage with Irving, who seems to cheat on her constantly. There is a lot of manipulation and abuse that is obvious throughout the book, and you consistently wonder why they are still together and don’t just leave each other. Things get worse when Rob starts to suspect something is wrong with her eldest daughter, Callie, and ends up taking Callie back to her childhood home in the desert: Sundial. Here, Rob tells Callie her story and hopes that it explains why Rob and ultimately Callie are the way they are.
I didn’t see the twists coming, and I was shocked by each one right up to the very end of the book. I would say that there should be some trigger warnings for domestic violence and animal abuse though, although the animal abuse isn’t in detail and is glossed over enough to not upset the reader but that they still know what is going on. I look forward to reading more of Catriona Ward’s books in the future.
Extinction
6.0
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An epic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston, perfect for fans of...
Necole (36 KP) rated The Boy at the Keyhole in Books
Oct 25, 2018
Powers of persuasion in this thriller of a read. A fast paced page turner that kept you guessing and trying to figure out what exactly happened to Samuel's mom and who is Ruth truly. Your hurt tugged for poor Samuel, a 9 year old orphan in a way because his dad passed away and then in the middle of the night his mom disappears without saying goodbye. Ruth, the housekeeper says Samuel's mom left to go to America to help fix the financial situation the family is under, however throughout the book skepticism in the mind of some of the characters and you the reader make this an irresistible read as you try and figure out what happened exactly.
Samuels' heart is aching for his mother's return and in general just wants love and kindness from someone. Ruth takes him in as a caregiver when Samuel's mom leaves and his Uncle Felix and grandfather don't seem to care what happens to the boy …. or that is what we are told!!! Is this really true or is it a lie to keep the boy under the eyes and watch of Ruth. Ruth doesn't like Samuel to stray too far and keeps him close. What are Ruth's true intentions? Others are coming up with their own theories and telling Samuel their thoughts and stories, so Samuel's mind is manipulated and conjuring thoughts and ideas because of persuasion. But can you blame him, he is only a 9 year old boy. What is everyone telling him, is Ruth manipulative, how will this story unfold, will answers be given and what will become of Samuel?
I gave this book a 3 because I loved it, kept my attention, but I kept waiting for a climax, waiting for answers that never came and the ending just confused me and fell flat. Definitely a great read if you like thrillers and mysteries that keep you guessing and have manipulation in the mix, however will you be as confused and disappointed at the end as I was?
Samuels' heart is aching for his mother's return and in general just wants love and kindness from someone. Ruth takes him in as a caregiver when Samuel's mom leaves and his Uncle Felix and grandfather don't seem to care what happens to the boy …. or that is what we are told!!! Is this really true or is it a lie to keep the boy under the eyes and watch of Ruth. Ruth doesn't like Samuel to stray too far and keeps him close. What are Ruth's true intentions? Others are coming up with their own theories and telling Samuel their thoughts and stories, so Samuel's mind is manipulated and conjuring thoughts and ideas because of persuasion. But can you blame him, he is only a 9 year old boy. What is everyone telling him, is Ruth manipulative, how will this story unfold, will answers be given and what will become of Samuel?
I gave this book a 3 because I loved it, kept my attention, but I kept waiting for a climax, waiting for answers that never came and the ending just confused me and fell flat. Definitely a great read if you like thrillers and mysteries that keep you guessing and have manipulation in the mix, however will you be as confused and disappointed at the end as I was?
Merissa (12654 KP) rated The Artist's Love (Book 2 of The Artist's Touch Books) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is the second part of The Artist's Touch set - Rissa and Spence are a couple, they've found out some of the secrets that their families have been keeping from them, and they are being stalked.
This story - as a whole - is simply stunning. Spence is a character that I could easily fall in love with over and over again. From quiet and nerdy, to being in control and HOT, he ticks the boxes for me. Rissa is wonderful, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to work to achieve it, whether that is going after Spence or making her work dream come true. Seriously, I wish this couple every happiness!
But there is, of course, the fly in the ointment and for Rissa and Spence, there are two. One is the secrets and the other is the stalker. This book brings about the culmination of both of those things, but not in a way that I was expecting. Layer upon layer of manipulation, deceit and murder need to be peeled back before Spence and Rissa can have their HEA, but they might not survive long enough to reach it.
With action, adventure, romance, and sorrow, this book was a delight to read. I will also say that I knew something was going to happen to one of the supporting characters, due to certain actions in book 1, but I never expected the outcome that S.H. Pratt gave us! I was not a happy bunny because my leaking eyes meant that I couldn't read as fast as I wanted to! And that is all I will say on the matter.
If you want a book that is steamy romance, coupled with psychological chills, then I can definitely recommend this set. Highly recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story - as a whole - is simply stunning. Spence is a character that I could easily fall in love with over and over again. From quiet and nerdy, to being in control and HOT, he ticks the boxes for me. Rissa is wonderful, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to work to achieve it, whether that is going after Spence or making her work dream come true. Seriously, I wish this couple every happiness!
But there is, of course, the fly in the ointment and for Rissa and Spence, there are two. One is the secrets and the other is the stalker. This book brings about the culmination of both of those things, but not in a way that I was expecting. Layer upon layer of manipulation, deceit and murder need to be peeled back before Spence and Rissa can have their HEA, but they might not survive long enough to reach it.
With action, adventure, romance, and sorrow, this book was a delight to read. I will also say that I knew something was going to happen to one of the supporting characters, due to certain actions in book 1, but I never expected the outcome that S.H. Pratt gave us! I was not a happy bunny because my leaking eyes meant that I couldn't read as fast as I wanted to! And that is all I will say on the matter.
If you want a book that is steamy romance, coupled with psychological chills, then I can definitely recommend this set. Highly recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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