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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Magpie Murders in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Absolutely innovative and intriguing listening
Listened to on Audible.co.uk.
Listening to a murder mystery about a murder mystery was as intriguing as listening to a book about a book. A total reinvention of classic Agatha Christie type tale revamped for the modern reader. Is it guessable? One of the mysteries is, but the other solved by fictional PI Atticus Pund was definitely more of a mind bender. It leaves you analysing clues in the same way the narrator tries to do. As an Agatha Christie fan, I was hooked.
Well read and written by the literary genius that is Anthony Horowitz.
Listening to a murder mystery about a murder mystery was as intriguing as listening to a book about a book. A total reinvention of classic Agatha Christie type tale revamped for the modern reader. Is it guessable? One of the mysteries is, but the other solved by fictional PI Atticus Pund was definitely more of a mind bender. It leaves you analysing clues in the same way the narrator tries to do. As an Agatha Christie fan, I was hooked.
Well read and written by the literary genius that is Anthony Horowitz.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Duck the Halls (Meg Langslow, #16) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With the town churches being overrun by a series of pranks, Meg is called in to organize a schedule so all the Christmas concerts and services can still go on as planned. But who is behind the pranks? And why have things escalated to murder?
This is a second Christmas entry in the Meg series, and it was purely delightful. I finished it on Christmas Eve, and it helped put me in the Christmas spirit, yes even with murder involved.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-duck-halls-by-donna-andrews.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a second Christmas entry in the Meg series, and it was purely delightful. I finished it on Christmas Eve, and it helped put me in the Christmas spirit, yes even with murder involved.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-duck-halls-by-donna-andrews.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated 12th of Never (Women's Murder Club, #12) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Womens Murder Club is back and investigating a psychic who dreams about murders before they happen, a sleazy lawyer who might have murdered his wife, and a murder where the body was stolen from the morgue. You'd think these cases would be interesting by themselves, but the authors throw in a few more storylines for good measure. The result winds up being more jumbled mess than enjoyable. And very little detecting actually happens. Most of the solutions just fall in their laps.
My full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-12th-of-never-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
My full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-12th-of-never-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Maxine Taylor is the queen of the red carpet interviews. But her scoop at this year's Oscars, troubled teen star Halsey Hamilton, turns to tragedy when Halsey collapses at her feet. When no one else thinks it might be murder, Maxine decides to find out. I bought this book only because it had Jerrilyn's name on the cover (love her Madeline Bean books), and I'm glad I did. While the mystery was rather light, the book was fun from beginning to end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-murder-at-academy-awards-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-murder-at-academy-awards-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Moving is Murder (A Mom Zone Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Air Force wife Ellie is used to moving. They've arrived at a new base, this time one their best friends are also assigned to. However, one of those friends is soon accused of murder. Being new to the base, and Ellie work out the local politics to find the killer? The characters are a bit under developed and the plot moves slowly in the first half. It does pick up later, but it wasn't the strongest debut overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-moving-is-murder-by-sara.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-moving-is-murder-by-sara.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Georgia Hubley recommended Peeping Tom (1960) in Movies (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Martyr in Books
Feb 27, 2022
37 of 230
Book
Martyr ( John Shakespeare book 1)
By Rory Clements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ingenious debut introduces John Shakespeare, Elizabethan England's most remarkable investigator, in a tale of conspiracy and murder that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller.
This is one of my favourite eras to read! I really enjoyed this book it was full of murder and intrigue in a very dark time especially if you were religious and on the wrong side. It’s definitely a book I recommend if you like historical fiction. It has some very interesting characters along the way.
Book
Martyr ( John Shakespeare book 1)
By Rory Clements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ingenious debut introduces John Shakespeare, Elizabethan England's most remarkable investigator, in a tale of conspiracy and murder that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller.
This is one of my favourite eras to read! I really enjoyed this book it was full of murder and intrigue in a very dark time especially if you were religious and on the wrong side. It’s definitely a book I recommend if you like historical fiction. It has some very interesting characters along the way.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated Blood on the Stone in Books
Apr 26, 2019 (Updated Apr 26, 2019)
A well-researched, exciting historical murder-mystery.
This is a very enjoyable murder mystery, set in 17th century Oxford. The English Parliament is being hosted by Oxford, with King Charles II, his wife and mistresses also present (although we don’t really see them)
Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Bailiffs, is called on to solve the murder of an MP (Member of Parliament), and also to stop a treasonous plot against the King.
The Bailiffs were an early precursor of the modern police force from what I could make out. There’s some great historical detail about them, about everyday lives at this time, and about religious and political tensions between Protestants and catholics. It’s just a really good story overall!
There is a historical note at the end of the story that was very interesting, and I really appreciated the extra information.
In all, a well researched and exciting story!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author, Jake Lynch, for reading along!
Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Bailiffs, is called on to solve the murder of an MP (Member of Parliament), and also to stop a treasonous plot against the King.
The Bailiffs were an early precursor of the modern police force from what I could make out. There’s some great historical detail about them, about everyday lives at this time, and about religious and political tensions between Protestants and catholics. It’s just a really good story overall!
There is a historical note at the end of the story that was very interesting, and I really appreciated the extra information.
In all, a well researched and exciting story!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author, Jake Lynch, for reading along!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Murder at Redwood Cove in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelly Jackson has flown into a small town in Mendocino County to run a bed and breakfast for her boss. The previous manager fell to his death off a cliff, and Kelly quickly begins to wonder if it was murder. As strange events start happening, Kelly is certain of her conclusion. But can she prove it before something else bad happens?
The book doesn’t waste much time debating whether a murder happened or not, instead spending time on Kelly trying to prove it. There’s plenty to keep you reading to find out exactly what is going on. The characters are super strong, and I fell in love with them. The suspects were a tad weak, but that’s a minor complaint. The writing needed a bit more polish near the beginning, but again, that’s a minor complaint.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-murder-at-redwood-cove-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book doesn’t waste much time debating whether a murder happened or not, instead spending time on Kelly trying to prove it. There’s plenty to keep you reading to find out exactly what is going on. The characters are super strong, and I fell in love with them. The suspects were a tad weak, but that’s a minor complaint. The writing needed a bit more polish near the beginning, but again, that’s a minor complaint.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-murder-at-redwood-cove-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Nine Lives and Alibis in Books
Oct 4, 2023
Murder Old and New Haunts This Halloween
This October, Daybreak Island is trying to put on a Halloween festival to extend tourist season, and Maddie James has been roped into helping with it. The main draw is going to be celebrity psychic Balfour, who was raised on the island but hasn't been back since he made it big. Some are hoping he can solve a pair of forty year old cases, but Maddie doesn't put much stock into psychics. Then a murder happens. Are there modern motives for the murder? Or do the past crimes have to do with the modern killing?
Those looking for a quick murder will be disappointed here. Yes, I did feel there were some pacing issues, but for the most part, I found the book did a good job of introducing suspects and motives before the murder happened. I did figure one thing out early, but the rest was still a surprise. I didn't appreciate the emphasis on psychics in the book, but the rest of the Halloween events in the book were fun, making it perfect for this time of year. (And yes, I do realize that issue is all mine.) Fans of the author's Full Moon Mysteries will enjoy seeing a couple of those characters show up here. As a series fan, I definitely enjoyed seeing the characters again, and want to see how some new beginnings impact the next book in the series. There's still time to add this book to your October reading list, and if you enjoy Halloween set cozies, you'll be glad you did.
Those looking for a quick murder will be disappointed here. Yes, I did feel there were some pacing issues, but for the most part, I found the book did a good job of introducing suspects and motives before the murder happened. I did figure one thing out early, but the rest was still a surprise. I didn't appreciate the emphasis on psychics in the book, but the rest of the Halloween events in the book were fun, making it perfect for this time of year. (And yes, I do realize that issue is all mine.) Fans of the author's Full Moon Mysteries will enjoy seeing a couple of those characters show up here. As a series fan, I definitely enjoyed seeing the characters again, and want to see how some new beginnings impact the next book in the series. There's still time to add this book to your October reading list, and if you enjoy Halloween set cozies, you'll be glad you did.