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ClareR (6256 KP) rated We Are Not Like Them in Books
Mar 28, 2022
We Are Not Like Them is a really timely novel about racism in America.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Shadow of Murder (A Mac Faraday Mystery #14)
10.0
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You can't move to the next chapter of your life without tying up loose ends in the previous. True...
Mystery Thriller Fiction Paranormal Crime / Detective
Nightcrawling
10.0
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When there is no choice, all you have left to do is walk. Kiara Johnson does not know what it is...
Trigger warning: sexual assault Trigger warning: rape Trigger warning: underage sex
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2635 KP) rated A Stolen Child in Books
Jun 21, 2023
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
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.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2635 KP) rated Dead and Berried (Gray Whale Inn Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2635 KP) rated The Two Minute Rule in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Max Holman has just been released from prison when he gets the news that his estranged son, a police officer, has been murdered. When the official story doesn't add up, Max begins poking around. But is he in over his head?
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated Two Girls Down: A Novel in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Kylie and Bailey Brandt vanish from a shopping mall parking lot while their mother is buying a birthday present. Single mom Jamie quickly realizes that the overworked local police department is not the best option for finding her daughters, so she hires former bounty hunter Alice Vega, famous for finding missing people. Vega partners up with ex-cop/private investigator Max “Cap” Caplan to find the sisters. The result is a tense, twisty ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved Alice Vega, she reminded me of Lisbeth Salander: tougher than battery acid, but completely awkward at personal interaction. I’m really looking forward to more books featuring her character.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Open Grave (DCI Jack Lambert, #1) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Once again Bloodhound Books has introduced me to yet another fabulous author and series! Always a fan of police/detective stories I was sucked right in with great characters and curious circumstances. Jack Lambert is an interesting yet loveable character, tough yet a good guy with a soft side. Having an ex-wife, child and girlfriend, all of whom he lost because he was honest with about his sexuality, yet he tries to maintain a good relationship. Simply the fact that we have a gay tough a$$ detective was enough to draw me in! Recommended and can't wait for more books in this series!
Not quite but alright
Some people are giving it hell because of a couple of punctuation and grammar mistakes, big deal. My five comes from the shortness and quality of writing compared to others of the same price. However despite that this is still money well spent. You will probably, like me, sit and read this in one sitting. It is short true stories told by police with no frills, just the facts or what they see as the facts. It's a complete thrill ride which will shock you and make you think. Let's hope he brings out another.