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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Child in Books
Jan 20, 2018 (Updated Jan 20, 2018)
Good twist at the end
Fiona Barton's thrillers are always very accessible, it truly feels like you're reading an updated whodunit. The story surrounds various women with lots of secrets, that seem to emerge after the discovery of the remains of a baby at a building site.
Emma, a neurotic writer, her cold mother Jude, the mother of a missing infant Angelica, and of course, journalist Kate Walker take centre stage in this book. Each voice is unique with Kate being driven and ambitious, Emma appearing secretive, and the fragile Angelica breaking down fairly regularly. In this way, you're unlikely to become confused as the characters are distinct.
No doubt, a lot does happen so there is a question of whether Barton may have overdone the story. However, the last twist at the end was less obvious than the others and so the story concluded satisfactorily. An enjoyable read.
Emma, a neurotic writer, her cold mother Jude, the mother of a missing infant Angelica, and of course, journalist Kate Walker take centre stage in this book. Each voice is unique with Kate being driven and ambitious, Emma appearing secretive, and the fragile Angelica breaking down fairly regularly. In this way, you're unlikely to become confused as the characters are distinct.
No doubt, a lot does happen so there is a question of whether Barton may have overdone the story. However, the last twist at the end was less obvious than the others and so the story concluded satisfactorily. An enjoyable read.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2387 KP) rated Truffled to Death in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Michelle are Erica are pleased when their combined chocolate and bookstore is chosen to host a reception to honor a donation of ancient Maya artifacts to a local museum. However, the day after the reception, the artifacts are missing, and a day later someone is murdered. Can the friends figure out what is going on?
I enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. The characters are strong, and I loved seeing how the returning characters developed further over the course of the book. The plots was strong, and because of the subject matter included more than the typical cozy plot, which I also enjoyed. I’m already looking forward to book three.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-truffled-to-death-by-kathy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. The characters are strong, and I loved seeing how the returning characters developed further over the course of the book. The plots was strong, and because of the subject matter included more than the typical cozy plot, which I also enjoyed. I’m already looking forward to book three.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-truffled-to-death-by-kathy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2387 KP) rated Presumed Puzzled (Puzzle Lady #17) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Roger Martindale is missing, and his wife, Pamela, has received a crossword puzzle. That evening, he returns home only to be hacked to death. Chief Harper thinks that Pamela did it since she was found with the bloody knife in her hand, but the twists for Puzzle Lady Cora Felton are just beginning.
And twists there are. Yes, Cora is right in the thick of things, and as the book progresses she gets even more involved. The characters are a little thin, but they usually are in this series. The real star here is the verbal battles the characters have, which are fun and funny as always. The quick wit and the banter made me laugh several times before we reached the logical conclusions.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-presumed-puzzled-by-parnell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
And twists there are. Yes, Cora is right in the thick of things, and as the book progresses she gets even more involved. The characters are a little thin, but they usually are in this series. The real star here is the verbal battles the characters have, which are fun and funny as always. The quick wit and the banter made me laugh several times before we reached the logical conclusions.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-presumed-puzzled-by-parnell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Mercy (2018) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
A little depressing
I think the problem with this film is that it's a little too depressing. It's a true story that hasn't been hollywood-ised, and it comes across as very bleak and sad.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City in Books
Mar 15, 2018
An anthology of horror stories commissioned by producer Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity", "Insidious", "Sinister", "The Purge"), and written by many of the people who made those films with him, sounds like a pretty genius idea. Unfortunately, it turns out to be more than a little less so in actuality. Don't get me wrong, most of the stories here are pretty decent at the very least, and many contain interesting ideas, but there is one all-important thing missing across the board: fear. While there is no shortage of creepy imagery, upsetting situations and gore, at no point did any of these actually scare me. Some of the stories were so lacking in any sense of suspense that it was hard not to wonder if they were actually even horror. All in all it's not a bad read, but it's hard not to come out of this at least somewhat disappointed.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2387 KP) rated Woof (Bowser and Birdie #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Bowser is thrilled when Birdie and her Grammy pick him to be their new dog. The trio has just returned from the shelter when they discover that Grammy’s prize marlin is missing. The stuffed fish was only worth sentimental memories. Or was it? Rumors of a treasure map spark Bowser and Birdie’s interest. Can they solve the mystery?
Like Spencer Quinn’s series for adults, this middle grade novel is narrated by Bowser the dog. That part of the story is cute and feels right, although it can get over done, especially as the good reaches the end. The human characters are just as well drawn and lovely. Unfortunately, the plot is very uneven with a slow start and a rush to wrap things up that leaves a major plot thread unanswered.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-woof-by-spencer-quinn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Like Spencer Quinn’s series for adults, this middle grade novel is narrated by Bowser the dog. That part of the story is cute and feels right, although it can get over done, especially as the good reaches the end. The human characters are just as well drawn and lovely. Unfortunately, the plot is very uneven with a slow start and a rush to wrap things up that leaves a major plot thread unanswered.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-woof-by-spencer-quinn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2387 KP) rated Spaced Out (Moon Base Alpha #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When you are living in a small base on the moon, it’s hard to vanish. And yet, that’s exactly what has happened to Nina Stack, the commander. Dash Gibson finds himself in the middle of the hunt for the missing woman, all the time with one thought in the back of his mind – if they don’t find her soon, time might run out.
This is a delightful combination of mystery and science fiction that will keep fans of either genre turning pages. The characters are sharp and well done. There are plenty of twists and clues. Plus there are some very funny scenes. My only warning is that this book spoils the first in the series, but that’s a very minor issue since both books are delightful reads.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-spaced-out-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a delightful combination of mystery and science fiction that will keep fans of either genre turning pages. The characters are sharp and well done. There are plenty of twists and clues. Plus there are some very funny scenes. My only warning is that this book spoils the first in the series, but that’s a very minor issue since both books are delightful reads.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-spaced-out-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Luke Skywalker Can't Read: And Other Geeky Truths in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I was really excited to read this book. I love all things filled with geekdom but this one was a little too much for me. I felt like this book was filled with so much opinion that I had a hard time finishing it.
The author was funny and it kept me entertained at times but I felt that this was a giant rant about fandoms. I think that this book could have been marketed a little differently. This is definitely a book that would fit in as a literary essay or critical thinking in a science fiction class. I enjoyed it but I really wish there was more to it than rants about specific details.
All in all, I'm not a huge fan but if you like rants or are missing that science fiction fanatic in your life, this would be the book for you.
The author was funny and it kept me entertained at times but I felt that this was a giant rant about fandoms. I think that this book could have been marketed a little differently. This is definitely a book that would fit in as a literary essay or critical thinking in a science fiction class. I enjoyed it but I really wish there was more to it than rants about specific details.
All in all, I'm not a huge fan but if you like rants or are missing that science fiction fanatic in your life, this would be the book for you.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Jul 5, 2018
This book was great - I love a good mental health illness book! I think that aspect of the book was interesting to read and the description toward the mid-end there was amazing in the description. I think the aspect of the, lets track down this missing person was a bit of a wildcard in the book - cool concept but very random. And was not a very "all there" part of the book.
I liked where the title of the book came in too, I was like, why the heck is this book called that? ohk now I get it hah. Overall a great read, but taking a 1 star away for the overall cohesiveness of the concept working together, and it was a bit slow in a few places especially the beginning, but then I powered through the last 186 pages pretty quickly!
I liked where the title of the book came in too, I was like, why the heck is this book called that? ohk now I get it hah. Overall a great read, but taking a 1 star away for the overall cohesiveness of the concept working together, and it was a bit slow in a few places especially the beginning, but then I powered through the last 186 pages pretty quickly!
Sue (5 KP) rated Rescue Team (Grace Medical, #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.