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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated An Orphan of Hell’s Kitchen in Books
Apr 10, 2024 (Updated Apr 10, 2024)
Was it Murder or Suicide?
Louise Faulk’s boring Thanksgiving shift at her precinct is interrupted when she is asked to go to a death scene. A young woman has killed herself and one of her twins, or at least that’s what Louise’s fellow officers think. But Louise thinks there is more to the story. Can she find the while conducting an unofficial investigation? Or will it get her fired?
This book is definitely darker than what I normally read, so keep that in mind when you pick it up. Unfortunately, the plot wanders a bit before we reach the suspenseful and logical climax. On the other hand, I did enjoy getting to spend time with Louise and the rest of the regulars. We don’t get a nice wrap up for the ongoing storylines, but we do get some advancement on them, and there aren’t any cliffhangers. The book is set at the end of 1914, and that provided a nice backdrop to the action of the book. While not the strongest book in the series, fans will enjoy our last visit with Louise.
This book is definitely darker than what I normally read, so keep that in mind when you pick it up. Unfortunately, the plot wanders a bit before we reach the suspenseful and logical climax. On the other hand, I did enjoy getting to spend time with Louise and the rest of the regulars. We don’t get a nice wrap up for the ongoing storylines, but we do get some advancement on them, and there aren’t any cliffhangers. The book is set at the end of 1914, and that provided a nice backdrop to the action of the book. While not the strongest book in the series, fans will enjoy our last visit with Louise.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated Murder at Rough Point in Books
Jul 30, 2025
Murder Makes a Retreat Rough
It is September of 1896 and Emma cross has been asked to cover an artist retreat happening at Rough Point, a mansion owned by Frederick Vanderbilt. When she arrives, Emma is surprised by some of the people included in the retreat. But even more surprising is the death of one of the artists at the base of the cliffs. It looks like it could be an accident, or even suicide. But something about the incident doesn’t sit right with Emma. Could it be murder?
This is the first time a book in the series is set off season, and I found I missed the real-life characters we’d gotten to know, although we did get updates on them. Due to that, the focus is on the cast of new characters and the mystery. I liked the clues and red herrings, although another subplot or two to break things up would have been nice. The one we did get allowed Emma to grow, which was nice. And an ongoing storyline got more complicated here. Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
This is the first time a book in the series is set off season, and I found I missed the real-life characters we’d gotten to know, although we did get updates on them. Due to that, the focus is on the cast of new characters and the mystery. I liked the clues and red herrings, although another subplot or two to break things up would have been nice. The one we did get allowed Emma to grow, which was nice. And an ongoing storyline got more complicated here. Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Jaws 2 (1978) in Movies
Apr 27, 2022
Put simply, Jaws 2 is a rehash of the first film, just nowhere near as memorable. It definitely set an ongoing trend of unnecessary sequels made because money exists.
For what it's worth, it's not too shabby all things considered. It's nice to see Roy Scheider back for another turn, even if he was reluctant to do so. The group of teens that the main bulk of the film focuses on are likable enough, even if they're somewhat forgettable. There are a few nice shots scattered throughout, and some fun sequences - An early boat chase that ends with the shark aflame, and the boat blowing the fuck up is a ridiculous highlight, and John Williams also returns to provide another great score.
Otherwise, it's just lacks a lot that makes the original such a classic. It's nowhere near as terrifying for instance, and is missing the character chemistry that was such a big part of Jaws' second half.
Jaws 2 definitely has some entertainment value that's worth exploring, but like so many sequels that followed in its wake, it was never going to step out of the shadow of its predecessor, nothing more, nothing less.
For what it's worth, it's not too shabby all things considered. It's nice to see Roy Scheider back for another turn, even if he was reluctant to do so. The group of teens that the main bulk of the film focuses on are likable enough, even if they're somewhat forgettable. There are a few nice shots scattered throughout, and some fun sequences - An early boat chase that ends with the shark aflame, and the boat blowing the fuck up is a ridiculous highlight, and John Williams also returns to provide another great score.
Otherwise, it's just lacks a lot that makes the original such a classic. It's nowhere near as terrifying for instance, and is missing the character chemistry that was such a big part of Jaws' second half.
Jaws 2 definitely has some entertainment value that's worth exploring, but like so many sequels that followed in its wake, it was never going to step out of the shadow of its predecessor, nothing more, nothing less.
gayga (2128 KP) rated The Dead Zone (1983) in Movies
Dec 11, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
I love this film so much because it was one of the first things I ever saw Christopher Walken in and with it being that it's also a Stephen King book, it's win/win.
Looking at it now after watching a vast variety of his movies, it's nice to see him play a sympathetic character, a bit of a loser even.
The film is slow in places but stick with it. The meeting between Johnny and Martin Sheen's character is literally to die for!!!
Looking at it now after watching a vast variety of his movies, it's nice to see him play a sympathetic character, a bit of a loser even.
The film is slow in places but stick with it. The meeting between Johnny and Martin Sheen's character is literally to die for!!!
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Doctor Who: The Justice of Jalxar in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Nice solid story with a lot of fun elements. The Doctor and Romana stop off in Victorian England and meet up with... Jago and Lightfoot, which EVERY Who story could use more of. The characterizations are wonderful and just as you remember, without all the prejudicial and racist overtones of Talons. The story may not be more than just standard adventure fare (alien tech falls to earth, gets misused) but a Judge Dredd style robot exercising justice based on how guilty you feel is a neat idea. For a full review, visit www.travelingthevortex.com.
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Lethbridge-Stewart: Times Squared (#8) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Another enthralling entry into the Lethbridge-Stewart line, once the action starts it doesn't let up. Cross exhibits a nice handle on writing action scenes and at times channels Stephen King with creepy images of rats surging up from flooded New York subway lines. The plot is a little standard for what we've come to expect from the Great Intelligence, but it's still handled well. Our band of heroes all have moments of awesome, and it's an all-around solid book. Full (spoiler filled) reviews available at www.travelingthevortex.com
Dean (6927 KP) rated Love Actually (2003) in Movies
May 1, 2017
The endless all star cast! (2 more)
Great cameos
Cool sound track
A film to love
Possibly my favourite Rom/com and slight guilty pleasure. Ssh I even bought it on Dvd ;) The cast is amazing, watch it again as you have probably forgotten how many of the the lesser known stars at the time are now major actors. I like how it deals with all kinds of love and relationships that we can all relate to. A little cheesey yes but great fun and nice sound track as well.
GameCritics (290 KP) rated Nex Machina : death Machine in Video Games
Jul 14, 2017
Perfectly crafted stage design, flawless controls, and an amazingly consistent flow of action (1 more)
Fun weapons, decent boss battles, and local co-op mode
The spiritual sequel to Robotron becomes the definitive dual-stick shooter, Nex Machina is almost perfect, and one of the most successful collaborations between like-minded creators that gaming has ever seen.
Critic- GameCentral
Original Score: 9 out of 10
Read Review: http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/20/nex-machina-review-robotron-2017-6720712/
Original Score: 9 out of 10
Read Review: http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/20/nex-machina-review-robotron-2017-6720712/
Rose (201 KP) rated Diablo III : Rise Of The Necromancer in Video Games
Jul 17, 2017
New class is fun to play (1 more)
Addictive as always
Pulled me back in
In between other things, I've been sneaking in some Necromancer leveling. Definitely having a lot of fun with this class.
Again, Diablo has its way and hours disappear with each corpse explosion.
I would have liked new storylines set just for necromancer since the class was brought recently. A mini story, something we didn't see with in first run through of the story would have been nice.
All and all, still fun to play.
Again, Diablo has its way and hours disappear with each corpse explosion.
I would have liked new storylines set just for necromancer since the class was brought recently. A mini story, something we didn't see with in first run through of the story would have been nice.
All and all, still fun to play.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Moon Tiger in Books
Aug 10, 2017
A nice surprise
I had never heard of this book until I was given it as a birthday present because it won the Boiler prize the year I was born (1987). All I can say is what a pleasant surprise. It's a well written and intriguing story of the life and loves of a woman on her death bed. The main character Claudia is very flawed, but it makes her more real, personable and intriguing, and there are a few interesting story developments that keep you reading throughout.