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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Fatal First Edition in Books
Feb 15, 2024
Murder Aboard a Moving Train
This book starts out in Chicago, where Lindsey Norris and her husband, Sully, are attending the annual archivist convention. Lindsey is having a fantastic time, and that includes the train trip back home to Connecticut. Quite a few of the attendees are also on the train. However, when Lindsey wakes up the next morning, someone is dead in the compartment next to her and Sully. Does it have anything to do with the valuable first edition that Lindsey stumbled upon during the keynote address?
One thing I love about cozy mysteries are the familiar locations and characters, so I was happy to see this book found an excuse to spend a lot of time at home while continuing the plot. The series regulars gave us some great laughs. Meanwhile, the plot zigs in a different direction part way through, and I was hooked as a result. Unfortunately, it did make the climax a bit rushed, although it was still logical. Fans will be pleased with this entry in the series. If you haven’t started these books yet, you’ll be happy you changed that.
One thing I love about cozy mysteries are the familiar locations and characters, so I was happy to see this book found an excuse to spend a lot of time at home while continuing the plot. The series regulars gave us some great laughs. Meanwhile, the plot zigs in a different direction part way through, and I was hooked as a result. Unfortunately, it did make the climax a bit rushed, although it was still logical. Fans will be pleased with this entry in the series. If you haven’t started these books yet, you’ll be happy you changed that.
The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper
10.0
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Beatlemania is back and better than even in this revised second edition. Former teen idol Sandy...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Storm Track (Deborah Knott Mysteries, #7) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Hurricane Fran is barrelling down toward Judge Deborah Knott's Colleton County, but that isn't even the worst of it. A young woman is found murdered in town: Lynn Bullock was the wife of Jason Bullock, a lawyer in Colleton. It looks like Lynn's philandering has finally caught up with her. Deborah begins her own investigation -- mostly in attempt to make sure that her cousin, Reed, who was involved with Lynn, wasn't also a part of her murder. But as Deborah keeps digging, she finds that Lynn and Jason's story goes much deeper and links in with many of the townspeople of Colleton County. When someone else turns up dead, Deborah knows there is more to Lynn's death than meets the eye.
Goodreads tells me that I haven't picked up one of Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott mysteries since 2009, which is hard to believe, because reading one of these cozy mystery novels is always easy and familiar. My kids and I have been participating in our library's Summer Reads program, and this year the program gives away free books to adults, too! (How cool is that?) I chose a Maron book for June's prize and quickly realized how long it had been since I read a Deborah Knott mystery--and how many books I'd need to read to catch up with the one I picked up (#13, I think).
So here we are. I have a soft spot for Maron's mysteries due to my love of southern literature. She has a lovely and easy way of capturing her southern characters--their drawls, their southern ways, the complicated (yet simple) sprawling nature of Deborah's large extended family. This novel features a sweet young boy named Stan, who easily steals the show, as well as Deborah's typical interactions with her family and friends. While I always feel like trouble finds Deborah awfully easily (the murder rate in Colleton County is awfully high), these books are enjoyable, quick reads. Even after all these years, it was easy to pick back up again with Deborah and her clan. Deborah's sleuthing isn't particularly complicated--and the ending was fairly quick, with a twist that I had started to guess--but it was still a comfortable mystery. I always enjoy Deborah and will try to keep catching up with the series over the next few months. Oh who are we kidding... years. I still have a ways to go before I catch up and can read that free book from the library's program!
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/justacatandbook">Twitter</a>;
Goodreads tells me that I haven't picked up one of Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott mysteries since 2009, which is hard to believe, because reading one of these cozy mystery novels is always easy and familiar. My kids and I have been participating in our library's Summer Reads program, and this year the program gives away free books to adults, too! (How cool is that?) I chose a Maron book for June's prize and quickly realized how long it had been since I read a Deborah Knott mystery--and how many books I'd need to read to catch up with the one I picked up (#13, I think).
So here we are. I have a soft spot for Maron's mysteries due to my love of southern literature. She has a lovely and easy way of capturing her southern characters--their drawls, their southern ways, the complicated (yet simple) sprawling nature of Deborah's large extended family. This novel features a sweet young boy named Stan, who easily steals the show, as well as Deborah's typical interactions with her family and friends. While I always feel like trouble finds Deborah awfully easily (the murder rate in Colleton County is awfully high), these books are enjoyable, quick reads. Even after all these years, it was easy to pick back up again with Deborah and her clan. Deborah's sleuthing isn't particularly complicated--and the ending was fairly quick, with a twist that I had started to guess--but it was still a comfortable mystery. I always enjoy Deborah and will try to keep catching up with the series over the next few months. Oh who are we kidding... years. I still have a ways to go before I catch up and can read that free book from the library's program!
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/justacatandbook">Twitter</a>;
Darren (1599 KP) rated Scooby Doo: Return to Zombie Island (2019) in Movies
Sep 16, 2019
Characters – Scooby-Doo and Shaggy have both become tired of solving mysteries, they want the team to stop and get their way, they win the holiday for the gang which sees them going to an old location needing to decide whether to let the group solve the mystery on the island. Fred has sold the Mystery Machine, he is having daytime dreams of it returning to him, where he judges most other vehicles for not being on the same level as his beloved. Daphne is here, though we don’t see anything we haven’t seen before from her, while Velma has a blog showing us just how the character has evolved for the time, which does show the frustration here character has when she can’t solve the mysteries anymore. Most of the new characters are left to feel just here with only Alan the hotel manager and Seaver being properly introduced.
Story – The story here follows the mystery inc gang who get invited back to an old location to solve the mystery from their past, only to find themselves needing to fight cat people once again. The story tries to be self-aware of many of the previous films, which has worked before, but for some reason doesn’t quite click this time. The fact we have seen the evolution of Velma and not the rest of the characters disappoints, which also seems to play along the idea of being a film within a film, that just again puts too much wink, wink, nudge, nudge to the audience. If you are a Scooby Doo fan, this story is everything you need, even if it does have a couple of flaws along the way.
Adventure/Comedy – The adventure does see the gang return to one of their most famous locations, which is different to much of what we have seen before, while the comedy does land in a couple of places very well.
Settings – The film does take the gang back to Moonscar island to face a new host of enemies in one of the most famous locations.
Animation – This does have the typical animation you are used to seeing for the Scooby Doo movies, it never lets down and works for the slapstick side of things.
Scene of the Movie – The big jump.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Daphne is almost just painted background character.
Final Thoughts – This isn’t the best Scooby Doo animated movie, it disappoints in a lot of places with how it handles certain decisions in the story and too many wink wink nudge nudge moments.
Overall: Basic Scooby Doo.
Story – The story here follows the mystery inc gang who get invited back to an old location to solve the mystery from their past, only to find themselves needing to fight cat people once again. The story tries to be self-aware of many of the previous films, which has worked before, but for some reason doesn’t quite click this time. The fact we have seen the evolution of Velma and not the rest of the characters disappoints, which also seems to play along the idea of being a film within a film, that just again puts too much wink, wink, nudge, nudge to the audience. If you are a Scooby Doo fan, this story is everything you need, even if it does have a couple of flaws along the way.
Adventure/Comedy – The adventure does see the gang return to one of their most famous locations, which is different to much of what we have seen before, while the comedy does land in a couple of places very well.
Settings – The film does take the gang back to Moonscar island to face a new host of enemies in one of the most famous locations.
Animation – This does have the typical animation you are used to seeing for the Scooby Doo movies, it never lets down and works for the slapstick side of things.
Scene of the Movie – The big jump.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Daphne is almost just painted background character.
Final Thoughts – This isn’t the best Scooby Doo animated movie, it disappoints in a lot of places with how it handles certain decisions in the story and too many wink wink nudge nudge moments.
Overall: Basic Scooby Doo.
Noddy Toyland Detective - Let's Investigate
Education and Games
App
Join Noddy as Toyland’s most famous detective in an adventure filled with storytelling, learning...
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Old Loves Die Hard ( Mac Faraday Mystery #2) in Books
Sep 7, 2017
Old Love, Die Hard is done well. You get to meet up with Mac’s Ex Wife. The mystery starts once she is in town. There are two murders once Mac takes his ex-wife to this penthouse in Spencer Inn.
Did Mac do the murders? Did his ex-wife go and killed her lover? There is not much going on. Who is behind all the murders. We meet or at least learn about his two children. Who would murder Mac two children mother?
Lauren Carr is one talented writer. She brings you along to find out who the killer is. One thing I love about her mysteries is that you never know who the murderer is? I have read a few of her books already and reviewed a few of them. You are welcome to read my reviews that are part of this audio book palooza. My reviews are Cancelled Vows, A Fine Year for Murder, Killer in the Band, The Murders at Astaire Castle, Candidate for Murder, 3 Days to Forever, Kill and Run. We do see what Mac is up to and we also got David O'Callaghan in being the chief of police. Lauren Carr series are all interconnected which is cool. You can read them as stand alone as well.
Did Mac do the murders? Did his ex-wife go and killed her lover? There is not much going on. Who is behind all the murders. We meet or at least learn about his two children. Who would murder Mac two children mother?
Lauren Carr is one talented writer. She brings you along to find out who the killer is. One thing I love about her mysteries is that you never know who the murderer is? I have read a few of her books already and reviewed a few of them. You are welcome to read my reviews that are part of this audio book palooza. My reviews are Cancelled Vows, A Fine Year for Murder, Killer in the Band, The Murders at Astaire Castle, Candidate for Murder, 3 Days to Forever, Kill and Run. We do see what Mac is up to and we also got David O'Callaghan in being the chief of police. Lauren Carr series are all interconnected which is cool. You can read them as stand alone as well.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co. #1 in Books
Sep 8, 2017
Amazing junior mystery
For a Junior fiction novel, this was dang scary! It was also an incredible read. It's thoughtful, scary, and really held my interest (which is hard these days). I immediately picked up the next one to read.
As far as supernatural mysteries go, I didn't have high hopes. It sounded run-of-the-mill and it almost lost me in the beginning because there are multiple parts to the story. They wrapped up a case but it's all intricately tied together in a way even I (who is very good at guessing what's going to happen) didn't see coming. It kept me guessing all the way until the last sentence.
I really got attached to two of the characters, and the third was slowly growing on me. They're relatable, even though they're around 10 years younger than me, and very well written. Stroud also did a fantastic job of not revealing too much more than what we need to know. It can be frustrating for others, but it was the perfect balance for me.
Overall, I am extremely impressed and pleased with this book. It actually scared me. I look forward to starting the next one!
As far as supernatural mysteries go, I didn't have high hopes. It sounded run-of-the-mill and it almost lost me in the beginning because there are multiple parts to the story. They wrapped up a case but it's all intricately tied together in a way even I (who is very good at guessing what's going to happen) didn't see coming. It kept me guessing all the way until the last sentence.
I really got attached to two of the characters, and the third was slowly growing on me. They're relatable, even though they're around 10 years younger than me, and very well written. Stroud also did a fantastic job of not revealing too much more than what we need to know. It can be frustrating for others, but it was the perfect balance for me.
Overall, I am extremely impressed and pleased with this book. It actually scared me. I look forward to starting the next one!
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Fish-Boy in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale by Vanita Oelschlager is very cute story with colorful and delightful illustrations. In this story, an old Inuit man tells the story of Fish Boy. The Arctic region of North America is a land of long days, icy cold, hardy people and peculiar creatures. The Inuit people there have made traditional use of remarkable folk tales to find truth and explain the mysteries of an astonishing world.
In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit. It's an origin story involving a little magic and a very odd boy with a large heart for friendship. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality.
This book as it teaches kindness and a folk tale about a region that covers most of Canada. It can be used as a tool to teach children about folk tells and about different cultures and acceptance.
I received this ARC from Vanita Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit. It's an origin story involving a little magic and a very odd boy with a large heart for friendship. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality.
This book as it teaches kindness and a folk tale about a region that covers most of Canada. It can be used as a tool to teach children about folk tells and about different cultures and acceptance.
I received this ARC from Vanita Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Kristin (149 KP) rated To Catch A Creeper: A Crouch End Confidential Mystery in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cathy's at it again!
This book picks up right where Looking for La La leaves off: "La La" has been caught, the TTMs have moved on in various ways, and Cathy's joined the workforce once again. However, now there's a Creeper on the loose, and it's becoming a real issue in the community. Worst of all, it seems like the police might be zeroing in on one of Cathy's close friends! Not one to just take these kinds of things lying down, Cathy's out to prove her friend's innocence while also setting her sights on catching the Creeper herself. (With a little help, of course.) Will they be able to stop the burglaries before it escalates into something more?
I loved this one just as much as La La, if not more. The characters are great, the story's captivating, and I found myself investigating right along with Cathy, trying to figure out who it could be. I have to say, the twists in this series are fantastic, and I didn't call this one anymore than I did the last! I hope there's more Crouch End mysteries to come, they're just fantastic!
4 1/2 stars
Cathy's at it again!
This book picks up right where Looking for La La leaves off: "La La" has been caught, the TTMs have moved on in various ways, and Cathy's joined the workforce once again. However, now there's a Creeper on the loose, and it's becoming a real issue in the community. Worst of all, it seems like the police might be zeroing in on one of Cathy's close friends! Not one to just take these kinds of things lying down, Cathy's out to prove her friend's innocence while also setting her sights on catching the Creeper herself. (With a little help, of course.) Will they be able to stop the burglaries before it escalates into something more?
I loved this one just as much as La La, if not more. The characters are great, the story's captivating, and I found myself investigating right along with Cathy, trying to figure out who it could be. I have to say, the twists in this series are fantastic, and I didn't call this one anymore than I did the last! I hope there's more Crouch End mysteries to come, they're just fantastic!
4 1/2 stars
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Okay, I didn't hate this book as much as I thought I would but that doesn't mean much. As anyone that follows my reviews will notice, I do not read mysteries. When I do read a mystery it is for book club and inevitably I find it dull. This book was no different. I would give this book a 2.5 star rating so I rounded up to 3.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency made me reminiscent of Agatha Christie & Mary Higgins Clark. So if you enjoy those authors, I'm sure that you would enjoy this author. There was mystery but no suspense so it seemed to drag on for me. I borrowed this book from the library but after reading 5 pages into the book, I had to switch to the audiobook so that I could force myself to read the rest of the book.
Not going to lie, this reminded me a lot of Winnie the Pooh. If you think about it, Winnie the Pooh was always looking to solve a mystery and each chapter or episode/15 minute segment was a new mystery. This is very similar to this book.
All in all, I will not continue on in this series.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency made me reminiscent of Agatha Christie & Mary Higgins Clark. So if you enjoy those authors, I'm sure that you would enjoy this author. There was mystery but no suspense so it seemed to drag on for me. I borrowed this book from the library but after reading 5 pages into the book, I had to switch to the audiobook so that I could force myself to read the rest of the book.
Not going to lie, this reminded me a lot of Winnie the Pooh. If you think about it, Winnie the Pooh was always looking to solve a mystery and each chapter or episode/15 minute segment was a new mystery. This is very similar to this book.
All in all, I will not continue on in this series.