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Kim Pook (101 KP) rated The Woman in the Window (2021) in Movies
Jul 26, 2021
A woman, Anna, wakes up and we get a view around her home, followed by a conversation with her daughter and her husband. We see her watching her neighbours before engaging in a therapy session. It is soon clear that Anna has problems. She has attempted suicide, has a drinking problem and is agrophobic meaning she is too scared to leave the house.
One evening her new neighbours son Ethan, comes over to introduce himself and they get talking, but something is worrying him. The next day his judgemental mum, Jane, comes over after Anna's House is egged on Halloween and they also get talking, but she is worried about her son and husband. That same evening, the husband comes over asking her if his family had come to see her, she lies and says no.
One evening whilst in the bath, Anna hears a scream coming from her new neighbours house, she speaks to Ethan who is clearly distraught but won't say why. Then whilst watching them again, she witnesses a brutal crime where a Russell family member is stabbed, but when she reports it nobody believes her, so she decides to try and find out what happened, which isn't going to be easy for someone with agrophobic.
I want to say I have never seen a movie like this before, and in truth I haven't, but I have seen a very similar storyline on the simpsons, when Bart thinks ned flanders has killed maude, it even plays out in a similar way.
It was an interesting movie though, with so many twists that I didn't see coming and it kept me interested right to the end. I did feel the end wasn't In keeping with the tone of the movie though, it started off like a psychological thriller but ended like a teen Slasher.
One evening her new neighbours son Ethan, comes over to introduce himself and they get talking, but something is worrying him. The next day his judgemental mum, Jane, comes over after Anna's House is egged on Halloween and they also get talking, but she is worried about her son and husband. That same evening, the husband comes over asking her if his family had come to see her, she lies and says no.
One evening whilst in the bath, Anna hears a scream coming from her new neighbours house, she speaks to Ethan who is clearly distraught but won't say why. Then whilst watching them again, she witnesses a brutal crime where a Russell family member is stabbed, but when she reports it nobody believes her, so she decides to try and find out what happened, which isn't going to be easy for someone with agrophobic.
I want to say I have never seen a movie like this before, and in truth I haven't, but I have seen a very similar storyline on the simpsons, when Bart thinks ned flanders has killed maude, it even plays out in a similar way.
It was an interesting movie though, with so many twists that I didn't see coming and it kept me interested right to the end. I did feel the end wasn't In keeping with the tone of the movie though, it started off like a psychological thriller but ended like a teen Slasher.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel in Books
May 9, 2021
Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is only the second book by Ruth Hogan that I’ve read (The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes was the first), and I had only read the first 20% of this book when I pre-ordered her latest book Madame Burova. That’s how much I loved this book.
This story is told from two points of view: 6 year old Tilly and 46 year old Tilda. We see Tilly in flashbacks as Tilda goes to her late mothers seaside home to clear out her belongings.
Tilly had been an outgoing, happy child, who adored her Daddy. But one day he leaves the house and doesn’t return. Her Mummy tells her that he’s dead. Tilly doesn’t really seem to understand the concept of ‘dead’. Indeed, Tilly doesn’t seem to understand that there are people she sees that others don’t seem to notice - dead people (this isn’t a huge theme in this book , so if you don’t like reading about the supernatural, it doesn’t dominate. But I like the supernatural, so 🤷🏼♀️). This is such a lovely story filled with very likeable people, such as the flamboyant Queenie Malone and her mother, who has a different Hollywood starlet name according to the day of the week.
In the present day, Tilda starts to work through her feelings of resentment towards her mother: the way that she felt abandoned when went to boarding school, in particular.
Tilda is a very solitary figure - a polar opposite to her childhood self, in fact. When she finds her mothers diaries and starts to read them, there are many revelations that explain her mothers motivations - some of them very sad.
This is another wonderful book from Ruth Hogan, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it (I bought a copy for my mum as soon as I finished it, in fact!).
This story is told from two points of view: 6 year old Tilly and 46 year old Tilda. We see Tilly in flashbacks as Tilda goes to her late mothers seaside home to clear out her belongings.
Tilly had been an outgoing, happy child, who adored her Daddy. But one day he leaves the house and doesn’t return. Her Mummy tells her that he’s dead. Tilly doesn’t really seem to understand the concept of ‘dead’. Indeed, Tilly doesn’t seem to understand that there are people she sees that others don’t seem to notice - dead people (this isn’t a huge theme in this book , so if you don’t like reading about the supernatural, it doesn’t dominate. But I like the supernatural, so 🤷🏼♀️). This is such a lovely story filled with very likeable people, such as the flamboyant Queenie Malone and her mother, who has a different Hollywood starlet name according to the day of the week.
In the present day, Tilda starts to work through her feelings of resentment towards her mother: the way that she felt abandoned when went to boarding school, in particular.
Tilda is a very solitary figure - a polar opposite to her childhood self, in fact. When she finds her mothers diaries and starts to read them, there are many revelations that explain her mothers motivations - some of them very sad.
This is another wonderful book from Ruth Hogan, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it (I bought a copy for my mum as soon as I finished it, in fact!).
BookInspector (124 KP) rated From the Shadows in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The main characters in this novel are detective Monica and social worker Michael. I really enjoyed the way the author developed these two characters throughout the book. Monica is a single mother who is trying her best to be a good mum and a good detective. She is an interesting character with a very distinctive appearance. Michael had his own issues in the past, but at the moment his main goal is to find his client Nichol, who suddenly disappeared, and he is the only one who cares enough to find him. While Monica is dealing with dead teenagers, Michael is launching his own investigation into finding the missing boy. The case gets more tangled and complicated, so Monica and Michael start working together to solve it all.
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
Merissa (13419 KP) rated Secret Legacy (The Windhaven Witches #1) in Books
Sep 11, 2020
Secret Legacy is the first book in The Windhaven Witches series and is full of quotes from Buffy, which I loved! Autumn thinks she is a 'normal' person and her mum encourages her to think that way. Her dad is supernatural but she doesn't have much to do with him. So imagine her surprise when she receives a full scholarship to a prestigious school that she never even applied for. She decides to go for it and then is swept away by forgotten memories, unknown abilities, and mysteries.
The one thing I wasn't too keen on is the Wade situation. Not only was it insta-love but there is seriously something off with that dude and Autumn never seems to notice! And please don't tell me about his silver eyes any more! I just can't cope!!
Apart from that, there was plenty here to keep me occupied and turning the pages. I would love to know more about the other main characters and the school Autumn is attending but, maybe, that is something that will follow in later books.
There are some usual tropes in this book - from normal girl with untold powers to slightly dodgy boyfriend - but it is entertaining. The world-building could do with some work as I have questions about how the supernatural fits into everything but, on the whole, it wasn't bad.
A great start to a new series and I can't wait to find out more. Definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
The one thing I wasn't too keen on is the Wade situation. Not only was it insta-love but there is seriously something off with that dude and Autumn never seems to notice! And please don't tell me about his silver eyes any more! I just can't cope!!
Apart from that, there was plenty here to keep me occupied and turning the pages. I would love to know more about the other main characters and the school Autumn is attending but, maybe, that is something that will follow in later books.
There are some usual tropes in this book - from normal girl with untold powers to slightly dodgy boyfriend - but it is entertaining. The world-building could do with some work as I have questions about how the supernatural fits into everything but, on the whole, it wasn't bad.
A great start to a new series and I can't wait to find out more. Definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel in Books
Oct 5, 2020
Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is a book that not all kinds of readers will relate to. You either love it or hate it. And me, well, I really wish I loved it.
The book flows in two parallel timelines: Tilda in the present and little Tilly in her childhood. Tilda has a broken relationship with her mother, who killed her dad. After her mum dies, Tilda goes to a place called Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, to find the truth of what happened in the past.
The writing style of when Tilda is little was hard for me to connect to. If felt as if the grown up version was talking in both timelines. The book is very slow, with no major plot twist, which made it boring. We had the whole ending dumped in the last chapters, with no anticipation. She is a girl that clearly has a troubled past, and she has with her a sense of mystery, as she is able to see what other people can’t. She is very attached to her father, even though he was absent most of her life, and she spent her childhood and teenage years holding a grudge against her mother.
And yet, I didn’t care about her.
In fact, I didn’t care about anyone in this book, and by the end, I just wished for the story to finish. I am sad that I couldn’t relate to this book, and I wish I liked it. But I didn’t. Moving on. A shame though, it has such a beautiful cover.If the synopsis seems interesting to you,
I would still encourage you to give it a go and let me know what you thought. You opinion is also valid.
The book flows in two parallel timelines: Tilda in the present and little Tilly in her childhood. Tilda has a broken relationship with her mother, who killed her dad. After her mum dies, Tilda goes to a place called Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, to find the truth of what happened in the past.
The writing style of when Tilda is little was hard for me to connect to. If felt as if the grown up version was talking in both timelines. The book is very slow, with no major plot twist, which made it boring. We had the whole ending dumped in the last chapters, with no anticipation. She is a girl that clearly has a troubled past, and she has with her a sense of mystery, as she is able to see what other people can’t. She is very attached to her father, even though he was absent most of her life, and she spent her childhood and teenage years holding a grudge against her mother.
And yet, I didn’t care about her.
In fact, I didn’t care about anyone in this book, and by the end, I just wished for the story to finish. I am sad that I couldn’t relate to this book, and I wish I liked it. But I didn’t. Moving on. A shame though, it has such a beautiful cover.If the synopsis seems interesting to you,
I would still encourage you to give it a go and let me know what you thought. You opinion is also valid.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sunshine & Secrets (The Paradise Cookery School #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
This review and more can be found at my blog
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
This was a bargain £1 book from my favourite sells-pretty-much-everything store, The Works. I'd been eyeing the book online for a while in the stores 3 for £5 promotion they do but wasn't sure if it was something I'd enjoy as I can be really picky with my chick-lit.
Sunshine & Secrets starts with Amelia (Millie) at the airport, ready to go spend some time with her mum but instead gets a phone call from her sister with a great opportunity in St Lucia where she can help a successful chef open a Paradise Cookery School. The lady wanting to open the school has had an accident and broken her leg and can't fly out yet so Millie is left arranging the inputting of the top notch kitchen and checking the recipes the chef want to do with her clients are as good as they can be.
While on the island she meets some of the locals and people from the UK who stayed there after falling in love with the serene life. The Purple Parrot - a local bar - becomes her favourite place away from the Villa and she makes friends with its clientele, including the Villa's estate manager, Zach.
The secrets part of the title only really comes into play towards the end when it turns out some people have been using the cocoa husks of the Villa's trees for illegal deeds.
This book focused more on the food and island portion of things, whereas I would have preferred more of the romance aspect between Millie and Zach, although I understand that both characters are going to be in the next book, too. However, I don't think I will bother reading it.
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
This was a bargain £1 book from my favourite sells-pretty-much-everything store, The Works. I'd been eyeing the book online for a while in the stores 3 for £5 promotion they do but wasn't sure if it was something I'd enjoy as I can be really picky with my chick-lit.
Sunshine & Secrets starts with Amelia (Millie) at the airport, ready to go spend some time with her mum but instead gets a phone call from her sister with a great opportunity in St Lucia where she can help a successful chef open a Paradise Cookery School. The lady wanting to open the school has had an accident and broken her leg and can't fly out yet so Millie is left arranging the inputting of the top notch kitchen and checking the recipes the chef want to do with her clients are as good as they can be.
While on the island she meets some of the locals and people from the UK who stayed there after falling in love with the serene life. The Purple Parrot - a local bar - becomes her favourite place away from the Villa and she makes friends with its clientele, including the Villa's estate manager, Zach.
The secrets part of the title only really comes into play towards the end when it turns out some people have been using the cocoa husks of the Villa's trees for illegal deeds.
This book focused more on the food and island portion of things, whereas I would have preferred more of the romance aspect between Millie and Zach, although I understand that both characters are going to be in the next book, too. However, I don't think I will bother reading it.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Whisper Man in Books
Jul 11, 2019
Spine chilling atmosphere set up (1 more)
Jake the cool if spooky kid
Not much mystery in the crime (1 more)
Poor police characters
If you leave a door half open, soon you'll hear the whispers spoken.......
This book got off to a great start with a really creepy feeling to it. A spooky kids rhyme will always get the chills going.
Jake and his father Tom are struggling with life after the death of Jake’s mum and a fresh start in a new house doesn't lead to the new start Tom hopes for when Jake continues to keep saying freaky stuff and knowing things he couldn’t possibly know. There is a very supernatural feel to the beginning of this book that is well done, and how that is wrapped up is also well dealt with.
However I felt the crime plot let this book down, the killer was obvious to me as soon as they were vaguely mentioned but the police detective Amanda Beck just seemed flat out incompetent. I nearly screamed out loud at her when she gave herself the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done. Staying up all night because a kid has gone missing does not in itself make you a good cop - doing some good old style investigating that actually gets results does.
I liked the complex relationship between Jake and Tom but a lot of the other characters left much to be desired for me. Reformed alcoholic cop Pete Willis; haunted by his past felt like a character I have read/ seen a hundred times before. And the reporter with morals seemed a stretch.
All in all I’d recommend coming to this book for the chills but don’t expect the crime mystery to knock your socks off.
Jake and his father Tom are struggling with life after the death of Jake’s mum and a fresh start in a new house doesn't lead to the new start Tom hopes for when Jake continues to keep saying freaky stuff and knowing things he couldn’t possibly know. There is a very supernatural feel to the beginning of this book that is well done, and how that is wrapped up is also well dealt with.
However I felt the crime plot let this book down, the killer was obvious to me as soon as they were vaguely mentioned but the police detective Amanda Beck just seemed flat out incompetent. I nearly screamed out loud at her when she gave herself the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done. Staying up all night because a kid has gone missing does not in itself make you a good cop - doing some good old style investigating that actually gets results does.
I liked the complex relationship between Jake and Tom but a lot of the other characters left much to be desired for me. Reformed alcoholic cop Pete Willis; haunted by his past felt like a character I have read/ seen a hundred times before. And the reporter with morals seemed a stretch.
All in all I’d recommend coming to this book for the chills but don’t expect the crime mystery to knock your socks off.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated If You Could Go Anywhere in Books
Sep 12, 2019
So we meet Angie who lives in the outback in rural Australia, a mining town called Coober Pedy--famous for its opals. Her grandmother has just passed away after years of struggling with dementia and as her only living relative it's hit Angie hard. Her friend comes over and they decide to drink some of her grandfathers wine and behind one of the bottles they find a letter written by Angie's dead mum addressed to a man in Italy. Reading the letter she finds out that her dad is the man the letter is addressed to and that he never knew about her. Angie is thrilled at the idea of having family back in Italy and flies out to meet them.
The people she meets in Italy welcome her with open arms, ready to accept her into their large extended family. They're a nice bunch of people who want to hear all about her life in the desert and living in a "cave". They show her how to make Italian cuisine and she shares her own recipes with them.
Then there's Alessandro. He's related but not by blood and there's a connection between the two of them. Both want to travel; both lost parents at an early age. But Alessandro had a rough start to life and doesn't want any sort of commitment with anyone or anything.
I loved some of the secondary characters like Stefano and Cristina. They were fun; there arguments over the music that played and their nights out/nights.
I like that this is set in Rome, a city I have visited myself so I understand some of Angie's joy at seeing some of the famous sites. And a little time in Venice, too. Another city I've had the fortune of visiting.
And lastly, cover love! How cute is this cover? I love it!
The people she meets in Italy welcome her with open arms, ready to accept her into their large extended family. They're a nice bunch of people who want to hear all about her life in the desert and living in a "cave". They show her how to make Italian cuisine and she shares her own recipes with them.
Then there's Alessandro. He's related but not by blood and there's a connection between the two of them. Both want to travel; both lost parents at an early age. But Alessandro had a rough start to life and doesn't want any sort of commitment with anyone or anything.
I loved some of the secondary characters like Stefano and Cristina. They were fun; there arguments over the music that played and their nights out/nights.
I like that this is set in Rome, a city I have visited myself so I understand some of Angie's joy at seeing some of the famous sites. And a little time in Venice, too. Another city I've had the fortune of visiting.
And lastly, cover love! How cute is this cover? I love it!
Merissa (13419 KP) rated City Girl vs Country Boy (Forever Love #1) in Books
Sep 20, 2019
City Girl vs Country Boy is the first book in the Forever Love series, and we start with tragedy. Harper speaks to her mum only half an hour or so before they have a head on collision that changes the lives of so many.
Written mainly from Harper and Tane's point of view, but also with some from Stacey, this book was a delight to read, whilst also being very emotional. Harper is trying so hard to hold it together for everyone else, and yet is in desperate need herself. Tane can see the struggles she is having, and tries to help out in whatever way he can.
As for Stacey and Bianca, I can't wait for their book(s). I have no idea if they will be intertwined or separate, but either way... Stacey is dealing with her loss in the only way she knows how, the same as Bianca. Unfortunately, this is in two very different ways, and so their love for each other gets lost in the mix. I really hope they sort it out, and I want to Stacey to be happy. I just can't see it happening without some painful self-realisations. As for Bianca, she deserves someone who puts her first, and hopefully we've got a hint over just whom that might be.
Excellently written as expected, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. This was a gripping book that will definitely leave you wanting more. Highly recommended by me.
* 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!
Written mainly from Harper and Tane's point of view, but also with some from Stacey, this book was a delight to read, whilst also being very emotional. Harper is trying so hard to hold it together for everyone else, and yet is in desperate need herself. Tane can see the struggles she is having, and tries to help out in whatever way he can.
As for Stacey and Bianca, I can't wait for their book(s). I have no idea if they will be intertwined or separate, but either way... Stacey is dealing with her loss in the only way she knows how, the same as Bianca. Unfortunately, this is in two very different ways, and so their love for each other gets lost in the mix. I really hope they sort it out, and I want to Stacey to be happy. I just can't see it happening without some painful self-realisations. As for Bianca, she deserves someone who puts her first, and hopefully we've got a hint over just whom that might be.
Excellently written as expected, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. This was a gripping book that will definitely leave you wanting more. Highly recommended by me.
* 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!
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