Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Midnight Snacks are Murder in Books
Aug 3, 2018
Was the Murder the Result of a Snack Attack?
When someone starts breaking into houses in the neighborhood taking nick knacks and sweets, Poppy McAlister is shocked to discover that it is her aunt Ginny sleepwalking under the power of some new medication. However, when a murder takes place a couple of blocks away, the police zero in on Aunt Ginny as the culprit. The victim, unknown to both Poppy and Aunt Ginny, seems like he could have been a nice guy or a complete jerk. Which was true?
This book spent quite a bit of time setting up the premise, but once the murder took place, things really picked up. I enjoyed needing to learn what kind of guy the victim was since it added a nice twist to the mystery. The suspects were strong, and I could have seen any of them as the killer before we reached the climax. The love triangle is just heating up; I know which guy I am rooting for, but I could see myself happy with either of them at this point. I did find a couple of the characters annoying, especially Poppy’s mother-in-law. Aunt Ginny provides lots of laughs, and the gluten-free, paleo friendly recipes at the end sound delicious.
This book spent quite a bit of time setting up the premise, but once the murder took place, things really picked up. I enjoyed needing to learn what kind of guy the victim was since it added a nice twist to the mystery. The suspects were strong, and I could have seen any of them as the killer before we reached the climax. The love triangle is just heating up; I know which guy I am rooting for, but I could see myself happy with either of them at this point. I did find a couple of the characters annoying, especially Poppy’s mother-in-law. Aunt Ginny provides lots of laughs, and the gluten-free, paleo friendly recipes at the end sound delicious.
Sue (5 KP) rated Blessed Be the Wicked (Abish Taylor Mystery #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Abish “Abbie” Taylor has been away from Utah and the quiet Mormon community she grew up in. After the passing of her husband, she has decided to the job of detective and come back home to reconnect with the family and community she left behind.
When the community is shaken by a death with the trademarks of sacred Mormon ritual dating back decades, Abbie is put on the case. She is faced with pressures from her father, the police chief, and others within the Church to keep to case quiet from the media. While trying to uncover the mystery, she also discovers that the power leaders within the Church would rather bury the truth then have it come to light.
Abbie is a strong character that is faced with finding the truth, but at the same time trying not to sacrifice her relationship with her family. She believes in her job and finding justice, but at what costs?
Having grown up in a different faith, I was fascinated by the author’s knowledgeable insight into the Mormon faith and teachings. I did not find the book preachy in any way and appreciated the conflict that she gave to the main character of Abbie.
When the community is shaken by a death with the trademarks of sacred Mormon ritual dating back decades, Abbie is put on the case. She is faced with pressures from her father, the police chief, and others within the Church to keep to case quiet from the media. While trying to uncover the mystery, she also discovers that the power leaders within the Church would rather bury the truth then have it come to light.
Abbie is a strong character that is faced with finding the truth, but at the same time trying not to sacrifice her relationship with her family. She believes in her job and finding justice, but at what costs?
Having grown up in a different faith, I was fascinated by the author’s knowledgeable insight into the Mormon faith and teachings. I did not find the book preachy in any way and appreciated the conflict that she gave to the main character of Abbie.
Necole (36 KP) rated She Was The Quiet One in Books
Oct 14, 2018
This twisting, turning thriller follows twin sisters, Bel and Rose who attend a prestigious high school after they are taken in by their grandma after the deaths of their father and mother. Bel is the "bad girl" who makes choices that are not the best, however, it is Rose who suffers the consequences of Bel's decisions, which ultimately causes the death of one sister.
Along with the twins, there are numerous characters who seem to think they are above everyone else, who have narcissistic personality traits, and who want only what is best for them.
Then you have Sara who is a loving, doting mother, wife and student advisee who is caught up in the middle of the murder mystery thrill ride.
You also have the Detective and Police woman who are investigating the murder of one of the twins which adds a great layer to the book through their interrogations and investigative questioning of many of the characters in this book.
It is a multi-layered, well written novel you will be thrown into and will have you guessing at times what will happen next and what did happen. It is a perfect blend of narcissism within characters, a blend of trying to decide who did what, and what will happen in the end.
Along with the twins, there are numerous characters who seem to think they are above everyone else, who have narcissistic personality traits, and who want only what is best for them.
Then you have Sara who is a loving, doting mother, wife and student advisee who is caught up in the middle of the murder mystery thrill ride.
You also have the Detective and Police woman who are investigating the murder of one of the twins which adds a great layer to the book through their interrogations and investigative questioning of many of the characters in this book.
It is a multi-layered, well written novel you will be thrown into and will have you guessing at times what will happen next and what did happen. It is a perfect blend of narcissism within characters, a blend of trying to decide who did what, and what will happen in the end.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Who Killed These Girls? The Unsolved Murders That Rocked a Texas Town in Books
Nov 23, 2018 (Updated Nov 23, 2018)
For a little background as to why I wanted to read this book about the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: when I started my first food service job in 2004, my boss had posted this story on the back door, to insure everyone always locked it. In 1991, when Austin wasn't so big and things like murder weren't really a thing, four girls were murdered and burned while working in a Yogurt Shop in West Austin. This book covers it and does a really good job at gathering information. I got a hold of a copy that had been last updated in 2017. This case is still a cold case, which is terrible. A few of the guys that 'confessed' were sent to jail for a little bit, but were released because those confessions were found to be false, and DNA results proved the guys weren't even there. And, now one of those guys is dead, shot by police a few years ago. Now the crime isn't really common knowledge as it was, but it still resonates.
The story on the back door really did the trick, that back door to the restaurant I worked at was always locked when I was there.
The story on the back door really did the trick, that back door to the restaurant I worked at was always locked when I was there.
David McK (3372 KP) rated Ratcatcher (Matthew Hawkwood, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I picked this book up for something like 99p in a Clearance sale in my local WH Smiths, and I have to say: it actually proved to be a better read than many other books that I've paid full price for.
Set during the late Regency period, this is the era of the Napoleonic Wars, Affairs of Honour (i.e. forbidden duels), Highwaymen and the Bow Street Runners. Starting with the robbery of a coach, this builds up into a plot surrounding a (historically correct) invention that agents of France hope to use against Great Britain to swing the balance of power in their favour. Matthew Hawkwood - the hero of the tale - is a former army officer from the Rifle Corps, who now works as one of the Bow Street Runners (few in number, and who have since been called London's first professional police force), who is initially charged with investigating this robbery. While I did find elements of the plot to be obvious - one reveal, in particular, I saw coming from about a mile away - there is still plenty to enjoy in the novel.
Based on this one, I may be convinced pick up a few more of the sequels ...
Set during the late Regency period, this is the era of the Napoleonic Wars, Affairs of Honour (i.e. forbidden duels), Highwaymen and the Bow Street Runners. Starting with the robbery of a coach, this builds up into a plot surrounding a (historically correct) invention that agents of France hope to use against Great Britain to swing the balance of power in their favour. Matthew Hawkwood - the hero of the tale - is a former army officer from the Rifle Corps, who now works as one of the Bow Street Runners (few in number, and who have since been called London's first professional police force), who is initially charged with investigating this robbery. While I did find elements of the plot to be obvious - one reveal, in particular, I saw coming from about a mile away - there is still plenty to enjoy in the novel.
Based on this one, I may be convinced pick up a few more of the sequels ...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer in TV
Dec 27, 2019
Fascinating
This is a story that I have to admit I know nothing about. Most likely because I couldn't handle the tales of animal cruelty. However I watched this because I was whole heartedly assured that you don't actually see any animal cruelty.
For anyone out there worried about watching this, i can confirm you don't see the whole of the animal cruelty videos. It's still not pleasant hearing about them, and this is one of my bigger issues with this documentary as it gets a little too uncomfortable at times. That said, this is still a fascinating series to watch and almost incredible that these internet sleuths have manage to uncover the killers identity. This has obviously been Hollywood-ised and very overdramatised, but this doesn't make it any less enjoyable. There are some irritations with the internet sleuths, especially when they start sticking their noses into the police investigation after the suspect is identified, and the monologuing at the end is hilariously cheesy.
The story behind this though and the killer's motives are almost like something out of a film, and makes for an almost unbelievable story. There are some holes in the story too which make for interesting pondering afterwards.
For anyone out there worried about watching this, i can confirm you don't see the whole of the animal cruelty videos. It's still not pleasant hearing about them, and this is one of my bigger issues with this documentary as it gets a little too uncomfortable at times. That said, this is still a fascinating series to watch and almost incredible that these internet sleuths have manage to uncover the killers identity. This has obviously been Hollywood-ised and very overdramatised, but this doesn't make it any less enjoyable. There are some irritations with the internet sleuths, especially when they start sticking their noses into the police investigation after the suspect is identified, and the monologuing at the end is hilariously cheesy.
The story behind this though and the killer's motives are almost like something out of a film, and makes for an almost unbelievable story. There are some holes in the story too which make for interesting pondering afterwards.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Confession in Books
Jan 23, 2019
Immediately in Jo Spain's The Confession, a brutal attack happens. You know who did it. You know how he did it. There is a witness, McNamara's wife, Julie, who was not attacked and not injured. A hour after the assault, JP Carney, the attacker, walks into a police station and confesses the who and the how. It is not until the end of the book that you find out the why.
DS Alice Mood is assigned the case of the assault of the notorious and disgraced banker Harry McNamara. McNamara had recently been acquitted of financial fraud. Mood needs to figure out if the attack was a random act of violence or was it planned.
The story is told from the perspective of Moody, Julie, and JP. DS Mood does not believe Carney just happened to find an open door and attacked randomly. She keeps digging into the lives of Harry, Julie and Carney desperate to find out how they intercept.
Spain teases you right away and leaves you guessing. She takes us back to when the McNamaras met and shows their marriage's evolution. Who can Mood believe? It is not until the very end that you understand the why.
DS Alice Mood is assigned the case of the assault of the notorious and disgraced banker Harry McNamara. McNamara had recently been acquitted of financial fraud. Mood needs to figure out if the attack was a random act of violence or was it planned.
The story is told from the perspective of Moody, Julie, and JP. DS Mood does not believe Carney just happened to find an open door and attacked randomly. She keeps digging into the lives of Harry, Julie and Carney desperate to find out how they intercept.
Spain teases you right away and leaves you guessing. She takes us back to when the McNamaras met and shows their marriage's evolution. Who can Mood believe? It is not until the very end that you understand the why.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Invisible Man (2020) in Movies
Mar 2, 2020
The Psychological Man
The Invisible Man- was a good movie, i liked it alot, but their were some things i was just overall confused about and the ending, i was just overall confused. I was like what wait, what just happened, oh end of movie, okay. Dont want to explain more, about the ending, okay movie, just want to cut to the credits. So than i can be confused and overall disappointed. Other than the ending, a few parts of the movie, i really enjoyed it. I think its a good remake/reimagining. I like the plot, Elizabeth Moss was great in it, the psychological i thought was excellent and Liegh Whannell does it again.
The Plot: After staging his own suicide, a crazed scientist uses his power to become invisible to stalk and terrorize his ex-girlfriend. When the police refuse to believe her story, she decides to take matters into her own hands and fight back.
Their is twist and turns thoughtout the movie, and you will keep on second guessing until the very ending. Their is horror, sci-fi, psychological espects, thrills, suspense and revenge.
Overall The Invisible Man was good, just with a few set-backs, other than that. Go and watch it.
The Plot: After staging his own suicide, a crazed scientist uses his power to become invisible to stalk and terrorize his ex-girlfriend. When the police refuse to believe her story, she decides to take matters into her own hands and fight back.
Their is twist and turns thoughtout the movie, and you will keep on second guessing until the very ending. Their is horror, sci-fi, psychological espects, thrills, suspense and revenge.
Overall The Invisible Man was good, just with a few set-backs, other than that. Go and watch it.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Keep Him Close in Books
Mar 15, 2020
A slow-burner
From the author of a who-dunnit story with a difference, If I Die Before I Wake, comes a dark, family drama about the search for the truth behind the death of a young teenager.
Lou is dead ... did he fall, did he jump or was he pushed? His mother, Alice, wants to know why. The police think he was pushed and have arrested Kane. Kane's mother, Indigo, is convinced her son is innocent and so it begins.
This is a slow burner that delves into the psyche of a mother's love for her child. There is tension and heart-rending emotion as you would expect with the subject matter being as it is. The writing is easy to read, the language used is natural and the characters well developed and flawed making them believable.
As I said, this is a slow burner and I do admit to becoming a little impatient at times but I was pretty satisfied with how everything came together at the end.
Another successful book from this author and one which I look forward to reading more from and I want to thank, once again, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Lou is dead ... did he fall, did he jump or was he pushed? His mother, Alice, wants to know why. The police think he was pushed and have arrested Kane. Kane's mother, Indigo, is convinced her son is innocent and so it begins.
This is a slow burner that delves into the psyche of a mother's love for her child. There is tension and heart-rending emotion as you would expect with the subject matter being as it is. The writing is easy to read, the language used is natural and the characters well developed and flawed making them believable.
As I said, this is a slow burner and I do admit to becoming a little impatient at times but I was pretty satisfied with how everything came together at the end.
Another successful book from this author and one which I look forward to reading more from and I want to thank, once again, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard, #1) in Books
Mar 30, 2020
Welcome to Shakespeare, Arkansas. Lily Bard came to the small town of Shakespeare to escape her dark and violent past. Other than the day-to-day workings of her cleaning and errand-running service, she pays little attention to the town around her. So when she spots a dead body being dumped in the town green, she's inclined to stay well away. But she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and despite her best efforts, she's dragged into the murder case. Lily doesn't care who did it, but when the police and local community start pointing fingers in her direction, she realizes that proving her innocence will depend on finding the real killer in quiet, secretive Shakespeare.
Shakespeare's Landlord is the first book in Charlaine Harris's Lily Bard mysterious series.
I was sure what to make of it all at first but it was better than expected. Lately I've lost all hope in Charlaine Harris's books but Lily Bard was a much better character than the moaning useless sookie stackhouse. Lily has was a kick ass heroine with a traumatic past so hopefully she will continue in this series to be that kick ass character! Not a bad start to the series it was a quick read too.
Shakespeare's Landlord is the first book in Charlaine Harris's Lily Bard mysterious series.
I was sure what to make of it all at first but it was better than expected. Lately I've lost all hope in Charlaine Harris's books but Lily Bard was a much better character than the moaning useless sookie stackhouse. Lily has was a kick ass heroine with a traumatic past so hopefully she will continue in this series to be that kick ass character! Not a bad start to the series it was a quick read too.