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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated My Fair Latte in Books
Mar 4, 2020
Body on Opening Night
Halley Greer has just inherited an Art Deco movie palace in the touristy town of Utopia Springs, Arkansas. She’s decided to turn it into a classic movie theater that features coffee and wine as part of the snack bar options. After weeks or hard work restoring it, she is ready to feature My Fair Lady on opening night. However, during intermission, one of the patrons is found dead in his seat. The police think Halley is a good suspect even though she is new to town. Can she clear her name?
I really enjoyed this series debut. The characters are fantastic. We are making friends along with Halley, and they are a varied lot. I felt we got to know them, and I look forward to spending time with them in future books. The plot was a little slow to get started, but once it did, I was hooked on that as well. I thought I had a couple of things figured out, but I was still surprised by some twists. The suspects are just as strong as the series regulars, and kept me guessing until Halley figured it out. While I’m not much of a coffee or wine drinker, I was drooling over some of the food talked about in the book. The book gives some hints about things to be explored in future books, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit with these characters.
I really enjoyed this series debut. The characters are fantastic. We are making friends along with Halley, and they are a varied lot. I felt we got to know them, and I look forward to spending time with them in future books. The plot was a little slow to get started, but once it did, I was hooked on that as well. I thought I had a couple of things figured out, but I was still surprised by some twists. The suspects are just as strong as the series regulars, and kept me guessing until Halley figured it out. While I’m not much of a coffee or wine drinker, I was drooling over some of the food talked about in the book. The book gives some hints about things to be explored in future books, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit with these characters.
JT (287 KP) rated Street Kings (2008) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Street Kings follows the likes of Training Day and Harsh Crimes in dramatising the murky underworld of police corruption. In the hands of director David Ayer he’s scattered the narrative with gritty confetti. Pre John Wick, Keanu Reeves was still kicking ass and taking names – he is a shoot first ask questions later kind of guy – nothing new there then.
Reeves plays vodka-swilling undercover cop Tom Ludlow, who is still reeling from the death of his wife and has been implicated in the murder of an officer. Now he has to fight to clear his name with the help of Forest Whitaker.
Ayer is well suited to this genre having written the scripts for Training Day, End of Watch and Harsh Times, so he understands the complexities of the genre in order to deliver a fast paced story. Intercutting the action at the right times.
Of course corruption is not uncommon in fiction and there is always a group of officers hell bent on covering up as much as they can and disposing of as many people as they need to.
The introduction of Hugh Laurie as Captain James Biggs, a man who seems clean cut but is not to be trusted, is a solid addition, although I still seem him as the idiotic Prince Regent in the Blackadder series.
Reeves and Whitaker each turn in a decent performance and there is enough meat on the bone make this a intelligently paced thriller.
Reeves plays vodka-swilling undercover cop Tom Ludlow, who is still reeling from the death of his wife and has been implicated in the murder of an officer. Now he has to fight to clear his name with the help of Forest Whitaker.
Ayer is well suited to this genre having written the scripts for Training Day, End of Watch and Harsh Times, so he understands the complexities of the genre in order to deliver a fast paced story. Intercutting the action at the right times.
Of course corruption is not uncommon in fiction and there is always a group of officers hell bent on covering up as much as they can and disposing of as many people as they need to.
The introduction of Hugh Laurie as Captain James Biggs, a man who seems clean cut but is not to be trusted, is a solid addition, although I still seem him as the idiotic Prince Regent in the Blackadder series.
Reeves and Whitaker each turn in a decent performance and there is enough meat on the bone make this a intelligently paced thriller.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Rabbit Hunter (Joona Linna #6) in Books
Mar 26, 2020 (Updated Mar 26, 2020)
6th book in the series. Can stand-alone but read the earlier ones first.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Secret Admirer (Detective Natalie Ward Book 6) in Books
Apr 2, 2020
6th book in the series. Read the other 1st. Worth it.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Secret Admirer is the 6th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. I enjoyed books 1 - 4 and was surprised to learn I had missed the 5th, The Blossom Twins. I read it before beginning this and I am so glad I did.
Detective Natalie Ward is immediately thrust into a case after she returns to work. A student is found dead from an acid attack. As Ward has learned, everyone has secrets. Now, she has to uncover the secrets surrounding Gemma and her murder.
All of the books in the series focus on a crime and the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. This book continues the storyline well. Ward's family, the team and their families continue to be a large presence in the story.
Often, I will say you could start the series with the current book but you would not understand the characters as well. This is true here but Wyer brings the characters to life in such a way it feels she is writing about real people. I strongly encourage you to read the whole series and start at the beginning. You will be in for a great read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 4/2/2020.
The Secret Admirer is the 6th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. I enjoyed books 1 - 4 and was surprised to learn I had missed the 5th, The Blossom Twins. I read it before beginning this and I am so glad I did.
Detective Natalie Ward is immediately thrust into a case after she returns to work. A student is found dead from an acid attack. As Ward has learned, everyone has secrets. Now, she has to uncover the secrets surrounding Gemma and her murder.
All of the books in the series focus on a crime and the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. This book continues the storyline well. Ward's family, the team and their families continue to be a large presence in the story.
Often, I will say you could start the series with the current book but you would not understand the characters as well. This is true here but Wyer brings the characters to life in such a way it feels she is writing about real people. I strongly encourage you to read the whole series and start at the beginning. You will be in for a great read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 4/2/2020.
Phil Maxwell (25 KP) rated Glitch - Season 1 in TV
Apr 5, 2020
Intriguing. Mystery lovers are in for a treat.
Glitch is an Australian drama serie that centres around the town of Yoorana and the surrounding countryside.
The series starts with a teenage lad, Beau, witnessing 6 people who had previously been dead and buried rising out of their graves in a cemetery one night. All are naked and disoriented, with no prior memory of dying. Making an anonymous call to the police, Beau hides and films the proceedings on his mobile phone. Cue Sergeant James Hayes and Doctor Elishia McKellar who come to investigate. Taken away to Doctor McKellar's surgery, the pair seem equally bamboozled as to what has happened as none of the risen show any signs of decomposition.
Throughout Season 1 we are treated to a whirlwind of deceit and intrigue, double crossing and mystery. We also get to see how each of the risen met their demise (all in different time periods of Yoorana's history, I might add) through flashbacks that cause them immense distress and curiosity. Finding, also, that none of them can leave the circumference of the town without getting deathly ill adds and extra bit of oddity, as they are basically a captive audience awaiting an answer, as are we, the viewers.
Having not long finished Season 1, with plenty of questions still poised, I look forward to seeing where Season 2 will take us and will definitely continue on with baited breath.
The series starts with a teenage lad, Beau, witnessing 6 people who had previously been dead and buried rising out of their graves in a cemetery one night. All are naked and disoriented, with no prior memory of dying. Making an anonymous call to the police, Beau hides and films the proceedings on his mobile phone. Cue Sergeant James Hayes and Doctor Elishia McKellar who come to investigate. Taken away to Doctor McKellar's surgery, the pair seem equally bamboozled as to what has happened as none of the risen show any signs of decomposition.
Throughout Season 1 we are treated to a whirlwind of deceit and intrigue, double crossing and mystery. We also get to see how each of the risen met their demise (all in different time periods of Yoorana's history, I might add) through flashbacks that cause them immense distress and curiosity. Finding, also, that none of them can leave the circumference of the town without getting deathly ill adds and extra bit of oddity, as they are basically a captive audience awaiting an answer, as are we, the viewers.
Having not long finished Season 1, with plenty of questions still poised, I look forward to seeing where Season 2 will take us and will definitely continue on with baited breath.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Cutting Place (Maeve Kerrigan #9) in Books
Apr 12, 2020
I absolutely devoured this book and, once again, I find myself sounding like a broken record in that I haven't got enough different words to describe how much I enjoyed it and despite it being the ninth in the series, it continues to feel fresh with the partnership of DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent being a particular highlight of mine and one which I absolutely adore.
Here we find the team investigating a particularly brutal murder when a body part is found by a mudlarker on the banks of the Thames; the ensuing investigation leads to a missing journalist and an exclusive gentleman's club ... are they related? Amongst all this is a look into the private life of Maeve and the importance of strong friendships and trust.
This is a compelling and engaging story line and not just a police-procedural; it delves into the murky world of "gentleman's" clubs, domestic violence, blackmail, privilege and power. I'm not going to lie, it's a dark story full of tension that is all too plausible but there are lighter moments that provide some occasional relief.
Highly, highly recommended and you don't have to have read previous books in the series to appreciate just how good this is but you will certainly want to after reading this.
My thanks and appreciation go to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Here we find the team investigating a particularly brutal murder when a body part is found by a mudlarker on the banks of the Thames; the ensuing investigation leads to a missing journalist and an exclusive gentleman's club ... are they related? Amongst all this is a look into the private life of Maeve and the importance of strong friendships and trust.
This is a compelling and engaging story line and not just a police-procedural; it delves into the murky world of "gentleman's" clubs, domestic violence, blackmail, privilege and power. I'm not going to lie, it's a dark story full of tension that is all too plausible but there are lighter moments that provide some occasional relief.
Highly, highly recommended and you don't have to have read previous books in the series to appreciate just how good this is but you will certainly want to after reading this.
My thanks and appreciation go to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Let’s Fake a Deal in Books
Jul 31, 2019
My Enthusiasm for This Book Is Not Fake
Sarah Winston’s latest garage sale turns into a disaster when the police show up just after she has opened. It turns out Sarah is selling stolen goods, and the people who hired her have vanished without a trace, making it look even more like she is guilty. That night, Sarah meets up with her friend Michelle at a local bar. Michelle, who is up for a promotion in the Air Force, is facing a bogus discrimination complaint. The next morning, one of the men Michelle thinks is behind her complaint is found dead in her car. Can Sarah clear her friend while keeping herself out of jail?
With two strong mysteries, I’m sure it is no surprise to say that this is a fast-paced book. Sarah is always working on one case or the other, and author Sherry Harris balances them perfectly, so we can easily follow what is happening in both cases. I had a hard time putting the book down, which is standard for this series, and I was satisfied when I reached the ending. The characters are great as always; I’m especially enjoying getting to know Sarah’s brother Luke. This book highlights another issue that career military people face without forgetting that it is a mystery novel first, something I especially enjoy about this series. Now comes the wait for the next time I get to visit Sarah.
With two strong mysteries, I’m sure it is no surprise to say that this is a fast-paced book. Sarah is always working on one case or the other, and author Sherry Harris balances them perfectly, so we can easily follow what is happening in both cases. I had a hard time putting the book down, which is standard for this series, and I was satisfied when I reached the ending. The characters are great as always; I’m especially enjoying getting to know Sarah’s brother Luke. This book highlights another issue that career military people face without forgetting that it is a mystery novel first, something I especially enjoy about this series. Now comes the wait for the next time I get to visit Sarah.
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