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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2086 KP) rated $10,000 in Small, Unmarked Puzzles (Puzzle Lady #13) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Cora is asked to make the drop for a blackmail payment. But instead of an empty dumpster, she finds a dead body seconds before the police show up. As always the story is very funny, but it also had the usual too quick wrap up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-10000-in-small-unmarked.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-10000-in-small-unmarked.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sakho & Mangane in TV
Feb 17, 2021
Completely bonkers Senegalese cop show. Stern, serious veteran Sakho is forced to team up with young Mangane, who is a bit of a rogue. 'I work alone!' they cry in outraged unison: but the captain decrees otherwise. So for a few episodes they tackle cases in traditional police-procedural style, albeit with an African twist (sample dialogue: 'must have been a ritual killing, his balls have been cut off').
Then, halfway through the season and with virtually no warning, a villain with magic powers turns up, one of the characters likewise reveals he has occult abilities, and from this point on the show is stuffed with demons, zombies, evil magicians, strange cults, and so on: the police captain is told that rather than an elite crime task force, she's now running a secret paranormal investigation squad (not that she bothers to tell anyone on the team).
To say it's wrong-footing is a serious understatement, and I would love to know what was going on behind the scenes on this show (it's like Starsky and Hutch turns into The X Files mid-run), but it's colourful and pacy with interesting characters (I particularly enjoyed the perpetually-wasted police pathologist). The quality control, script-wise, is a bit iffy in places, but it obviously scores very highly on the 'what the hell am I watching...?' front.
Then, halfway through the season and with virtually no warning, a villain with magic powers turns up, one of the characters likewise reveals he has occult abilities, and from this point on the show is stuffed with demons, zombies, evil magicians, strange cults, and so on: the police captain is told that rather than an elite crime task force, she's now running a secret paranormal investigation squad (not that she bothers to tell anyone on the team).
To say it's wrong-footing is a serious understatement, and I would love to know what was going on behind the scenes on this show (it's like Starsky and Hutch turns into The X Files mid-run), but it's colourful and pacy with interesting characters (I particularly enjoyed the perpetually-wasted police pathologist). The quality control, script-wise, is a bit iffy in places, but it obviously scores very highly on the 'what the hell am I watching...?' front.
Niki (8 KP) rated Wicked City - Season 1 in TV
Jun 13, 2017
Pleasantly surprised
Having never heard of this series, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Set on Sunset Strip in the 1980's, this crime show has everything except big names, but don't let that put you off. It follows the story of the police chasing a serial killer, but unlike most other shows like this, you get to see the story from both the police and the killer alike. I also think that because the story is told over the whole series and not crammed into a one episode slot, it allows a lot more perspective to consider. Roll on Series 2.
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated When They See Us in TV
Jun 13, 2019
I went into watching this having never heard of the incident that this series was based on.After finishing watching it i was looking it up online to know more about it.
Some great acting especially by the young kids who played the accused,they played the scenes where they were forced into giving confessions by the police amazingly.A good supporting cast as well (John leguizamo..vera farmiga) made this show a pleasure to watch.Leaves you thinking at the end just how violent and racist the police were back in that time and how far they were prepared to go to get a confession.
Must see TV drama at it's best.
Some great acting especially by the young kids who played the accused,they played the scenes where they were forced into giving confessions by the police amazingly.A good supporting cast as well (John leguizamo..vera farmiga) made this show a pleasure to watch.Leaves you thinking at the end just how violent and racist the police were back in that time and how far they were prepared to go to get a confession.
Must see TV drama at it's best.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2086 KP) rated Mr. Monk on Patrol (Mr. Monk, #13) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Monk and Natalie are off to Summit, New Jersey, to help new police chief Randy Disher gain a handle on the string of burglaries plaguing the normally quiet town. This book is an absolute treat for fans of the TV show and Lee's novels based on them because of what he does with the characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-mr-monk-on-patrol-by-lee.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-mr-monk-on-patrol-by-lee.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
A great TV show
A great TV show, with a big cast. Looking at a small area of New York near Times Square and the many characters of the area.
Starting in the 70's and ending up in the mid 80's by the 3rd series. It takes in how porn, organised crime, police, technology all play a part in shaping the area and effect the lives of those involved.
Each series set at a slightly different era. The first 2 series were very good and the shorter 3rd series is OK. Well worth checking out for the wide array of characters caught up with life in The Deuce.
Starting in the 70's and ending up in the mid 80's by the 3rd series. It takes in how porn, organised crime, police, technology all play a part in shaping the area and effect the lives of those involved.
Each series set at a slightly different era. The first 2 series were very good and the shorter 3rd series is OK. Well worth checking out for the wide array of characters caught up with life in The Deuce.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Line of Duty - Season 1 in TV
Apr 22, 2019 (Updated Apr 22, 2019)
Deserving of the hype
Over the past few months, one of the shows that I kept getting told to watch is Line of Duty. Nearly everyone I know is raving about this, and despite the fact that they’re all on series 5, I decided to give this a go from the very first series. And for the most part, this is fairly deserving of the hype.
Police dramas have inundated our screens over the past few years, and it’s unusual to find ones that rise above average - Luther is one, and now I think Line of Duty is another. This has at least found a new angle on the police instead of the usual murder mystery, focusing on the Anti Corruption unit. Whilst I’m pretty sure AC isn’t anywhere nearly as interesting in real life (and indeed the real life name of Professional Standards used for the unit by most actual police forces isn’t as catchy either), Line of Duty at least makes this highly entertaining and intriguing. Corruption sounds boring, but in this it really isn’t and is full of twists and turns and reveals throughout the series. It has a great cast too that really helps and isn’t afraid to show a bit of blood and violence. As sad as I am, I also enjoyed the little nods to real police - the modern glass plated buildings and the police lanyards etc - these made this a lot more relatable.
This isn’t perfect though. I sometimes found some of the jumps in storyline confusing and I don’t feel like everything was wrapped up at the end of the series. I also found that the three main AC12 character weren’t very well developed and there could have been more done to show their backgrounds or personal lives. I don’t doubt that this will be expanded in later series, but it would’ve been nice to see it here! I am however very much looking forward to seeing the next few series.
Police dramas have inundated our screens over the past few years, and it’s unusual to find ones that rise above average - Luther is one, and now I think Line of Duty is another. This has at least found a new angle on the police instead of the usual murder mystery, focusing on the Anti Corruption unit. Whilst I’m pretty sure AC isn’t anywhere nearly as interesting in real life (and indeed the real life name of Professional Standards used for the unit by most actual police forces isn’t as catchy either), Line of Duty at least makes this highly entertaining and intriguing. Corruption sounds boring, but in this it really isn’t and is full of twists and turns and reveals throughout the series. It has a great cast too that really helps and isn’t afraid to show a bit of blood and violence. As sad as I am, I also enjoyed the little nods to real police - the modern glass plated buildings and the police lanyards etc - these made this a lot more relatable.
This isn’t perfect though. I sometimes found some of the jumps in storyline confusing and I don’t feel like everything was wrapped up at the end of the series. I also found that the three main AC12 character weren’t very well developed and there could have been more done to show their backgrounds or personal lives. I don’t doubt that this will be expanded in later series, but it would’ve been nice to see it here! I am however very much looking forward to seeing the next few series.
Audrey Bloom is excited when the reality TV show Fix My Wedding is coming to town, especially when she gets to design the bridal bouquet. Okay, so the bride is a bit bell obsessed, but she can make it work. Unfortunately, that becomes the least of her problems when one of the hosts of the show is killed and the police begin to suspect Audrey’s former boyfriend, a production assistant on the show.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
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/2015/01/book-review-for-whom-bluebell-tolls-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
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/2015/01/book-review-for-whom-bluebell-tolls-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nigel Holmes (16 KP) rated Automan: The Complete Series in TV
May 13, 2019
Sci fi
This show ran for 1 season between 1983 - 1984.
Made by the same people that brought us Tron.
Based around a police detective who isn't allowed out to patrol the streets on orders from his captain as he's a wizard with computers.
So he decides to make a computer generated superhero to help him fight crime, who he calls automan the world's first automatic man aided by his friend cursor who can create anything in the blink off an eye he sets off to fight crime.
Made by the same people that brought us Tron.
Based around a police detective who isn't allowed out to patrol the streets on orders from his captain as he's a wizard with computers.
So he decides to make a computer generated superhero to help him fight crime, who he calls automan the world's first automatic man aided by his friend cursor who can create anything in the blink off an eye he sets off to fight crime.
Caffeinated Zombie (3374 KP) rated Man Like Mobeen in TV
Jan 9, 2019
Hilarious (1 more)
Tackles stereotypes
From the BBC: All Mobeen wants to do is follow his faith, lead a good life and make sure his sister fulfils her potential. But can he juggle this with his criminal past always chasing him?
This show is absolutely hilarious, set in Birmingham it follows Mobeen as he attempts to raise his sister, look after his mates (who need all the help they can get) and follow his faith. However with idiot police, the new drug dealers and (un)helpful family/friends life gets a little difficult.
This show is absolutely hilarious, set in Birmingham it follows Mobeen as he attempts to raise his sister, look after his mates (who need all the help they can get) and follow his faith. However with idiot police, the new drug dealers and (un)helpful family/friends life gets a little difficult.