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The Pocket Wife
The Pocket Wife
Susan H. Crawford | 2015 | Mystery, Thriller
3
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
182 of 250
Book
The Pocket Wife
By Susan Crawford

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.

Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.

Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?

A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.


I just didn’t click with it. It started out ok but I just got so bored it became a chore to read. I didn’t get a good representation of Bipolar disorder either as some one who has Bipolar it just didn’t feel authentic.
  
The Christie Affair
The Christie Affair
Nina de Gramont | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Christie Affair is a reimagining of the real disappearance of Agatha Christie - I actually had to do a quick internet search to see if any of this novel was true. It’s not. Agatha Christie really did go missing for 11 days, though. Her husband really did leave her for another woman (I have no idea if she was younger). But I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless!

This novel tells the story from the point of view of the mistress. Nan O’Dea (Nancy Neele in real life) gives her version of events: who she is, her past, why she became Archie Christie’s mistress, and why she is destroying their marriage. It’s all compelling reading. She has her reasons, and you can see why she has done what she has - but is it true?

It was fascinating hearing the story from the mistress’ point of view, and I really enjoyed reading about Nan’s early years, even though they were tragic. We see her going to help on a family farm in Ireland as a teenager, and a stay at a convent, reminiscent of a Magdalen Laundry (not quite). Then she returns to London and tries to rebuild her life.

You can never be quite sure as the reader, whether Nan is really telling Agatha’s side of the story, or whether she’s making it up. She’s a thoroughly unreliable narrator - but I liked that. The characters were really well developed, and it was an exciting story. Recommended!
  
Army of Darkness (1992)
Army of Darkness (1992)
1992 | Action, Comedy, Horror
I love The Evil Dead. It's gritty, low budget, scary as fuck. I love Evil Dead 2 for its perfect marriage of horror and slapstick comedy. I love Army of Darkness for just how fucking silly it is. The original three films of this franchise all have their own identity, and stand out as very different chapters of the same story. AoD is arguably the weirdest of the bunch, dropping all of the gore in favour of a medieval gateway-horror comedy, and it works a treat, thanks in no small part to some fantastic practical effects, and of course, Bruce Campbell. Campbells physical comedy chops are one of the highlights of Evil Dead 2, and those skills are put front and centre here. There are multiple sequences that are just brazenly ridiculous, and simply wouldn't work anywhere near as well if it was any other actor in the drivers seat. His commitment to the bit is wholly admirable. The practical work looks great for the most part, especially the army of skeletons that are introduced in the final third. Some signature style from Sam Raimi occasionally butts in to remind us that this is still an Evil Dead film, and there are some memorable monster and deadite designs to keep its foot firmly in the horror genre. Above all, AoD is just a whole load of fun that knows exactly what it is. Hail to the King baby.
  
Second Match (Perfect Match Agency #5)
Second Match (Perfect Match Agency #5)
Wendy Rathbone | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SECOND MATCH is Morgan Dor's story. I first met him in Chance Match when the omega he'd been paired with fell for his assistant instead. So when I saw Morgan in this story, I knew I had to read it.

It did help me, having read about Morgan before, as there isn't much background to him in this book. Riley is the omega he gets matched with, who suffers from an extreme UV allergy. This means he gets called a demon and shunned by everyone, including most of his family, by the religious cult he grew up with.

This book moves at a breakneck pace which, unfortunately, means most parts are not fleshed out or given the attention they deserve. At best, points are skimmed over and the reader is told what has happened, rather than being shown, ie. Riley's UV treatments, the year of their marriage, and the crazy cult leader. I was left with many questions after reading this, which was a shame as I had loved the other story.

A good addition to the Perfect Match Agency series that I did enjoy, but I would recommend you read Chance Match first, just so you get a little more background.

** 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!
Aug 3, 2023
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated The Right Sort of Man in Books

Sep 29, 2023 (Updated Sep 29, 2023)  
The Right Sort of Man
The Right Sort of Man
Allison Montclair | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Match Made for Murder
Its 1946 London, and people are looking to get back to normal after the end of World War II. Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge and formed an unlikely partnership in a marriage bureau, both of them looking for something new in their lives. They’ve been opened a few months and are beginning to see some successes, but all that is threatened when one of their clients is murdered and the man they’d matched her with is arrested for the crime. With their personal and professional reputations on the line, they set about trying to prove he is innocent. Can they do it?

When I first heard about this series, I was drawn to the time in history and the premise. I truly appreciated how that time in history is brought to life. I did find the book hard to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. The mystery is good, with some surprises along the way to the suspenseful climax. The characters grow on you, and the sub-plots both of the leads get make them into fully developed characters. What I wasn’t expecting was the humor, which had me laughing as I read. This is more a traditional mystery due to some of the content, but it is still mild. I will definitely be back to see what happens to these characters next.