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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated Death on the Golden Mile in Books
Apr 17, 2025
Murder on a Dark and Stormy Night
Book store owner Clark Thomas is surprised when a woman comes in with an invitation to join her father for dinner. Even more surprising is that the man is John Allen Howard, famed Hollywood composure. The night of the dinner party turns out to be the night the remnants of a hurricane are passing through town. During the chaos, someone kills the host. It seems the rest of the guests all had motive. Can Clark figure out who did it?
The plot employs a few mystery cliches, and I did roll my eyes a couple of times at them. I also spotted a key clue early on. Overall, the mystery is good, however, with an ending that did surprise me. We don’t see quite as much of the supporting players as we might, but I did appreciate the updates on them. That also includes a little forward progress on Clark’s wife’s murder, an ongoing story. I did spot a couple of timeline issues, but they were more annoying than anything else. We meet the suspects at one time, but it wasn’t long before I was able to keep them all straight. As always, I enjoyed the vacation setting of the series. Those who enjoyed the first two books will be glad they picked this one up.
The plot employs a few mystery cliches, and I did roll my eyes a couple of times at them. I also spotted a key clue early on. Overall, the mystery is good, however, with an ending that did surprise me. We don’t see quite as much of the supporting players as we might, but I did appreciate the updates on them. That also includes a little forward progress on Clark’s wife’s murder, an ongoing story. I did spot a couple of timeline issues, but they were more annoying than anything else. We meet the suspects at one time, but it wasn’t long before I was able to keep them all straight. As always, I enjoyed the vacation setting of the series. Those who enjoyed the first two books will be glad they picked this one up.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Scarecrows in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I am a sucker for horror books ever since I picked up The Rats by James Herbert when I was a teenager and I have been hooked ever since so when I saw this title offered for review by the publisher, Samhain Publishing, on Netgalley, I requested a copy in the hope that I would be chosen to provide an unbiased review. I was. Unfortunately, what I read wasnt horror for me which was a bit of a disappointment to be honest; it was more like a murder/mystery.
For full review, please go to my blog - http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/scarecrows-by-christine-hayton.html
For full review, please go to my blog - http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/scarecrows-by-christine-hayton.html
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Snotgirl, Vol 1: Green Hair Don't Care in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com
I picked this up on a whim (I find that I really enjoy most Image titles), and what started out as a seemingly fluff story about fashion bloggers and their rather shallow lives takes a surprising turn into something more... sinister? A mysterious "resurrection", possible supernatural elements, a stalker, a police investigation into the possible death of the possibly resurrected friend, and another possible murder. Or is it all just an allergy drug-induced hallucination? We'll have to wait until the next collected edition to find out more, but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly intrigued to find out what happens next.
I picked this up on a whim (I find that I really enjoy most Image titles), and what started out as a seemingly fluff story about fashion bloggers and their rather shallow lives takes a surprising turn into something more... sinister? A mysterious "resurrection", possible supernatural elements, a stalker, a police investigation into the possible death of the possibly resurrected friend, and another possible murder. Or is it all just an allergy drug-induced hallucination? We'll have to wait until the next collected edition to find out more, but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly intrigued to find out what happens next.
Daniel Johnson (11 KP) rated Brick (2006) in Movies
Sep 5, 2017
Mystery (2 more)
plot
character
Excellent
Rian Johnson is a genius.
With his directorial debut he crafts an excellent story, that features some of the best young adult actors in recent history. It becomes even more impressive when you realise how few adults feature in the film.
With a mystery that puts you on the edge of your seat, a murder, a drug den and adult themes that most would refrain from showing in this context, this neo-noir is a reminder of what is great about the noir genre.
Expertly filmed, edited and scored, with some beautiful shots that leave you breathless, this film will not disappoint.
With his directorial debut he crafts an excellent story, that features some of the best young adult actors in recent history. It becomes even more impressive when you realise how few adults feature in the film.
With a mystery that puts you on the edge of your seat, a murder, a drug den and adult themes that most would refrain from showing in this context, this neo-noir is a reminder of what is great about the noir genre.
Expertly filmed, edited and scored, with some beautiful shots that leave you breathless, this film will not disappoint.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Little Deaths in Books
Aug 11, 2017
A depressing tale about victim blaming
This is a deceptively feminist book showing how society portrays women and how they are expected to behave. At first it resembled Albert Camus' The Stranger in which the protagonist is victimised for not behaving the appropriate way after a death. But it looked further into how a mother is essentially blamed for killing her children because she partook in inappropriate behaviour following their murder. The book is intelligent because it leads the reader away from thinking about the real killer and focuses on the mother. Right until the end you almost forget what the story is really about. Surprisingly enjoyable.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This wasn't Patterson's best novel.
it was obvious to me from the beginning that the killers were hiding underground. i knew Samson was going to get hurt, but honestly i think the blood-lust would have been better if he died. (even though Samson is one of my favorite characters.) some of the scenes were just a bit too... descriptive... for me. both in the murder details and that of the rapes. i skipped a few pages. and he was incredibly repeditive with Nana-- she always had to have the last word. (dude. you said it five times. we've got it.)
i'm hoping the next one is better.
it was obvious to me from the beginning that the killers were hiding underground. i knew Samson was going to get hurt, but honestly i think the blood-lust would have been better if he died. (even though Samson is one of my favorite characters.) some of the scenes were just a bit too... descriptive... for me. both in the murder details and that of the rapes. i skipped a few pages. and he was incredibly repeditive with Nana-- she always had to have the last word. (dude. you said it five times. we've got it.)
i'm hoping the next one is better.
Sue (5 KP) rated The Cupcake Caper (Undercover Cat, #1) in Books
Apr 23, 2018
Dr. Bree Mayfield-Watson is most comfortable solving chemistry problems and logically looking at things. She never signed up to find her boss murdered in a secured building and is considered the number one suspect. Who wanted him dead and why are they framing Bree?
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Keisha Davis (8 KP) rated Then She Was Gone in Books
Apr 9, 2018
Wow. Just wow. What a story. This reminded me heavily of The Lovely Bones. The stories bore some similarities. I liked how the book was referenced in the story (pay attention or you’ll miss it).
The story moved along well. I personally had the plot figured out mid book but then again I watch hours and hours of criminal programs so I’m kind of an armchair expert haha.
I enjoyed the fact it jumped from perspective. It gave personality to the story.
The loss of a child. Unanswered questions. A runaway? Murder? Kidnapping? Hope. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Guilt. This story has a plethora of emotions. Definitely a must read.
The story moved along well. I personally had the plot figured out mid book but then again I watch hours and hours of criminal programs so I’m kind of an armchair expert haha.
I enjoyed the fact it jumped from perspective. It gave personality to the story.
The loss of a child. Unanswered questions. A runaway? Murder? Kidnapping? Hope. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Guilt. This story has a plethora of emotions. Definitely a must read.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Snow (The Black Ice Trilogy, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
A NA book that takes gorey details and makes sure you can picture it in your mind. This was not at all what I was expecting when I first saw the cover and began the book. Right away you are thrown into vivid details about murder and blood. It continues through the whole book.
The story is well thought out and has many dimensions that continue to influence it. While I do not understand how this could be considered a YA.
I think those who enjoy more gore, detail, and a story that is focused on darker aspects of vampirism will enjoy this story.
The story is well thought out and has many dimensions that continue to influence it. While I do not understand how this could be considered a YA.
I think those who enjoy more gore, detail, and a story that is focused on darker aspects of vampirism will enjoy this story.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Buried Alive (2008) in Movies
Apr 30, 2019
Compared to many Slashers I've seen lately, and that's quite a lot, this was pretty good. From the same director as the Wishmaster and starring Tobin Bell of the Saw films. It is a bit slow building up to the kills, but when they come they are quite gory and different to the norm. A bunch of uni friends head out to one of the kids big house out in the desert looked after by the creepy caretaker. The house has a dark history involving a family curse, gold and murder. Good production value and a decent cast raise this above most straight to DVD slashers.