Search
Search results
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Mar 2, 2018
A little too over the top
I think I completely lost the plot trying to follow this fairytale within a fairytale. A modern day version of a Brothers Grimm-style folklore, the story follows Alice, who is trying to find her missing mother, and discovers that all is not what it seems.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated Death in Four Courses (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Key West's annual literary conference is focusing on food this year, something that excites Hayley since she is now covering food for a local magazine. However, when she finds the keynote speaker floating face down in a reflection pool, her weekend gets crowded with sleuthing as well as food.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated A Heart's Obsession (A Journey of the Heart, #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The story continues with Sarah. She get free from her family. We meet up with a few new characters. So Sarah and Joel decide to leave and go towards Fort Laramie. Wally has other plans. Will he seceded in what he wants for Sarah or will Rachel help her. Rachel is expecting her child soon. Will this make Wally more understanding or not.
Sarah and Joel ride out with Jacob and his wife. Once she arrives in Fort Laramie, sees Rand and she meets Jessica and her mother. She finds out that Rand and Jessica are to marry. In the meantime, Ben is out to get Sarah back in his arms.
We meet two new Indian girls and children. This put Sarah to help teach the children more English. What happens next is surprising. Rand is asked to see this new fur trader. When he finds out who it is. He needs to go ask Sarah if she knew that Ben was back.
Sarah and Joel ride out with Jacob and his wife. Once she arrives in Fort Laramie, sees Rand and she meets Jessica and her mother. She finds out that Rand and Jessica are to marry. In the meantime, Ben is out to get Sarah back in his arms.
We meet two new Indian girls and children. This put Sarah to help teach the children more English. What happens next is surprising. Rand is asked to see this new fur trader. When he finds out who it is. He needs to go ask Sarah if she knew that Ben was back.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Birds of Passage, An Italian Immigrant Coming of Age Story in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Bird of Passage Bird of Passage is a story about a boy and girl finding their own way. The boys name is Leonardo. It also about a girl named Azara. Leonardo goes to America to find work. He learns a lot about himself.He runs into trouble with a job and making friends. While there he meets up with a guy named Rizzo. Though he runs into a boy named Carlos too. He tries to help out family members of the girl he loves.What will happen to Leonardo and his family back in Italy? He finds out who his real father is, once he goes back to Italy to be with his mother. There are many twists and turns in this book though out.There another boy that commits murder and tries to escape by going to America. What will happen to Carlos? There a gang that helps out and is on the estate of Mazzi.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Three Days to Forever (Mac Faraday Mystery, #9) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The author has you guessing from beginning to end. It's action packed along with a mystery through out. Laura Carr gives you what you look for in a mystery along with a little romance.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 27, 2018)
Warm and funny coming-of-age movie written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Seventeen-year-old girl Christine (aka Lady Bird) contends with the last year of school, troublesome romances, college applications, and her fraught relationship with her mother.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan, #13) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Definitely not one of the best of the series. The science plot twist was a bit of a surprise, but the "who is this guy?" was telegraphed (for me, at least) pretty early on. I'm fairly tired of the on again, off again love thing with Ryan, but the depiction of Brennan's relationship with her young adult daughter is very accurate to this mother of a 20-year-old. Bringing in the "gangsta" angle seemed ridiculous to me, but I suppose there had to be some immediate danger somewhere to keep the publisher interested.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Kneaded to Death in Books
Feb 19, 2018
Ivy Culpepper has come back to her home town of Santa Sofia and is trying to put her life back together after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. When a murder occurs outside the local bakery where Ivy is taking a baking lesson, the three sisters who own the bakery are suspected of the crime. Sure that they wouldn’t kill anyone, Ivy starts investigating on her own.
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Midwife Sarah Brandt is returning to visit a mother and newborn when she learns there has been a death at the home. A boarder was strangled during the night, and it turns out this is the younger sister of someone she knew years ago. Determined to see justice done, Sarah teams up with the very reluctant Frank Malloy, the detective assigned to the case, to find the killer.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
ClareR (5716 KP) rated She Was The Quiet One in Books
Jun 13, 2018
Boarding School drama
This is my second boarding school drama in under a month, and whilst I thought this was better than Tradition, I still found it hard going in parts. There's a lot of teenage angst which frankly, I am well past the need to experience (other than having to live the dream of being the mother to a hormonal teenaged boy). There were just so many FEELINGS and it all got a bit hard going towards the mid-way point. It was a great mystery though. I didn't guess the perpetrator until about 70% in to the story, so that's not a bad thing. Others might get to it earlier. I could have well done without the epilogue at the end though. It seemed really out of place, and not like the rest of the novel at all. I don't think it added anything to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.