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Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Other Typist in Books
May 10, 2018
3.5 stars...I received this book from the publisher for review. I was given the uncorrected proof....
Rose Baker is a typist with the New York City Police Department. She is a very plain woman who does what she is supposed to and never what she shouldn't.
One day, a new typist is hired and from the start, Rose was mesmerized by Odalie. Odalie dressed and acted quite differently than Rose. Quite differently from most people that Rose knew.
Odalie and Rose became fast friends. Even moving Rose into her hotel apartment. She immersed Rose in her world and it was that immersion that sent Rose's life into a tailspin.
Set in the 1920's when there was very little work for women and even fewer things for them outside of the home, this book will have you wondering what is going to happen next.
Rose Baker is a typist with the New York City Police Department. She is a very plain woman who does what she is supposed to and never what she shouldn't.
One day, a new typist is hired and from the start, Rose was mesmerized by Odalie. Odalie dressed and acted quite differently than Rose. Quite differently from most people that Rose knew.
Odalie and Rose became fast friends. Even moving Rose into her hotel apartment. She immersed Rose in her world and it was that immersion that sent Rose's life into a tailspin.
Set in the 1920's when there was very little work for women and even fewer things for them outside of the home, this book will have you wondering what is going to happen next.

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Medusa Touch (1978) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Rather ropey Omen rip-off with Richard Burton, Lino Ventura and Lee Remick (told you so). A French detective seconded to the London police (zis is ze co-production, bien sur) investigates the life of a writer and noted grump who has just had his head bashed in (Burton); the victim believed he had the power to cause disasters and gradually le inspecteur comes to agree with him.
Some genuinely interesting ideas, but a peculiar narrative structure and obviously low budget are definite limiting factors. Film makes good use of its biggest asset, Richard Burton, who gives his various misanthropic rants 110% and seems to be genuinely off his head (one wonders if he spent most of the shoot wrecked). Playing spot the cameo is also somewhat entertaining. Climax is a bit disappointing though; the whole film is never quite as chilling, powerful, or convincing as it thinks it is.
Some genuinely interesting ideas, but a peculiar narrative structure and obviously low budget are definite limiting factors. Film makes good use of its biggest asset, Richard Burton, who gives his various misanthropic rants 110% and seems to be genuinely off his head (one wonders if he spent most of the shoot wrecked). Playing spot the cameo is also somewhat entertaining. Climax is a bit disappointing though; the whole film is never quite as chilling, powerful, or convincing as it thinks it is.

Sam (74 KP) rated The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really enjoy this one. It’s more of a plot filler to make the whole series 13 books long and it just seems a bit forced.
The Baudelaire’s travel to VFD, where the whole village plans to look after them. The town has recently lost its chief of police and a new one is brought in, who, quite shockingly, isn’t Count Olaf. He comes in later.
I don’t really know what to say about this one. It’s definitely not the most entertaining, and I only read it to get to the next book in the series. It was definitely more of a filler than an actual movement in the plot.
I didn’t give up on it though, even though I was close. I think the fact that I didn’t even enjoy it made me read it faster just to get it over with.
The Baudelaire’s travel to VFD, where the whole village plans to look after them. The town has recently lost its chief of police and a new one is brought in, who, quite shockingly, isn’t Count Olaf. He comes in later.
I don’t really know what to say about this one. It’s definitely not the most entertaining, and I only read it to get to the next book in the series. It was definitely more of a filler than an actual movement in the plot.
I didn’t give up on it though, even though I was close. I think the fact that I didn’t even enjoy it made me read it faster just to get it over with.

Sue (7 KP) rated Line Of Duty in TV
May 19, 2019
Twists and suspense in each season and more to come!
I was a bit sceptical as I am normally for a 'who done it' series but I can honestly say I have been well and truly sucked in.
One of the best series I have watched for a while, full of suspense, twists and you can find yourself almost questioning what you would do in those situations. I love a book of series where you almost sympathise with the 'baddies' as there is always a story behind each of their decisions.
The law is the law.
Not disappointing in any way.
One of the best series I have watched for a while, full of suspense, twists and you can find yourself almost questioning what you would do in those situations. I love a book of series where you almost sympathise with the 'baddies' as there is always a story behind each of their decisions.
The law is the law.
Not disappointing in any way.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated A Second Chance at Murder (A Love Or Money Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia and Scott are back to compete on a second reality show, this one a race across Europe with challenges along the way. But the night before the race even begins, Scott disappears and a woman is murdered. With the police certain that Scott is a killer, Georgia must find him and prove his innocence. Can she do it?
This was a wonderfully creative cozy. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, and the disappearance added a nice element to the story. The characters were strong as well. The race aspect was kept as a sub-plot, and the location in Spain was brought to life so much that I now want to visit.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-second-chance-at-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a wonderfully creative cozy. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, and the disappearance added a nice element to the story. The characters were strong as well. The race aspect was kept as a sub-plot, and the location in Spain was brought to life so much that I now want to visit.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-second-chance-at-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Killer Jam (A Dewberry Farm Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Investigative reporter Lucy Resnick has bought the farm – that is her grandparent’s farm outside the small town of Buttercup, Texas. However, just days after learning that the previous owner, Nettie Kocurek, retained the mineral rights in the sale and intends to drill for oil, Nettie is stabbed. With the police focusing on the outsider – Lucy – she has to act find to find the real killer.
This is a fun series debut filled with great characters and a fun small town that I really grew to love. The plot did blog down a little in the second quarter, but it soon started back up with plenty of twists and surprises to keep me confused until the end.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-killer-jam-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun series debut filled with great characters and a fun small town that I really grew to love. The plot did blog down a little in the second quarter, but it soon started back up with plenty of twists and surprises to keep me confused until the end.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-killer-jam-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Diva Runs Out of Thyme (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Sophie Winston is hosting Thanksgiving for her family and facing off against her high school rival, domestic diva Natasha Smith, in a stuffing contest. The last thing she needs is to find a dead body while out grocery shopping. Worse yet, the police think she is a suspect when they find her picture in the dead man’s car. What is happening?
I’ve heard lots of good about this series, and it is obviously well deserved. The large cast of characters are so well developed I never had a hard time keeping them straight. The plot starts out strongly, but it does get bogged down in the middle before reaching a wonderful climax. I’m certainly curious to see where Sophie goes from here.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-diva-runs-out-of-thyme-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve heard lots of good about this series, and it is obviously well deserved. The large cast of characters are so well developed I never had a hard time keeping them straight. The plot starts out strongly, but it does get bogged down in the middle before reaching a wonderful climax. I’m certainly curious to see where Sophie goes from here.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-diva-runs-out-of-thyme-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Murder Has Nine Lives in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Jaine’s cat Prozac lands a part in a cat food commercial, Jaine is already spending her money. However, on the day of the shoot, Dean, the creator of the cat food, dies after eating some. Jaine had witnessed his bad behavior first hand, but the police consider everyone there a suspect. Desperate to clear her name, Jaine begins investigating. Who poisoned the cat food?
This series is dependable for it’s light look at murder, and this book is no exception. The characters are a little out there, but they fit the tone of the book perfectly. The plot is strong with plenty of viable suspects and shifting motive, which kept me turning pages. And a couple of sub-plots pack in the laughs.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-murder-has-nine-lives-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is dependable for it’s light look at murder, and this book is no exception. The characters are a little out there, but they fit the tone of the book perfectly. The plot is strong with plenty of viable suspects and shifting motive, which kept me turning pages. And a couple of sub-plots pack in the laughs.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-murder-has-nine-lives-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Fillet of Murder (Deep Fried Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After going through a transition, Talia finds herself working at her friend Bea’s fish and chips restaurant again. When a neighboring shop owner is murder and the police start to focus on Bea, Talia decides to start looking for the real killer.
This is the first in a series, and a lot of people seemed to love it, but it felt like it needed another draft to polish things up. The characters weren’t quite as well developed as they could have been, and the plot has some serious pacing issues. It wasn’t a bad debut, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-fillet-of-murder-by-linda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the first in a series, and a lot of people seemed to love it, but it felt like it needed another draft to polish things up. The characters weren’t quite as well developed as they could have been, and the plot has some serious pacing issues. It wasn’t a bad debut, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-fillet-of-murder-by-linda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Beyond A Doubt (The Carol Childs Mysteries, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Reporter Carol Childs is on the scene when the police pull up the body of a young woman from a Los Angeles canyon. The victim is Monica Channing, who went missing two weeks ago. While the rest of the media begin to focus on the murder, Carol sees a pattern with other missing young women. What might she have stumbled on?
This book is a fast paced read from the very beginning. It’s definitely not the light reads I often go for, but the story never gets as dark as it could either. Watching Carol try to prove what she thinks is going on is fun, and the climax was very satisfying. Carol leads a strong cast of characters, and I’m looking forward to her next adventure.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-beyond-doubt-by-nancy-cole.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a fast paced read from the very beginning. It’s definitely not the light reads I often go for, but the story never gets as dark as it could either. Watching Carol try to prove what she thinks is going on is fun, and the climax was very satisfying. Carol leads a strong cast of characters, and I’m looking forward to her next adventure.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-beyond-doubt-by-nancy-cole.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.