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Big Little Lies
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Don't want Big Little Lies to end? Then why not order Liane Moriarty's new hit, Truly Madly...
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Think Yourself Lucky in Books
May 22, 2019
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Co-workers, Emily, Helen, Bill, Andrea and David work in a travel agency. David is a grouch who complains about everything—his job, his girlfriend and his life. Meanwhile, an unnamed narrator is committing horrendous murders. When David discovers a blog using his fantasy blog name talking about the murders, he is concerned. The victims are people at which he was recently angry. Is someone stalking him or is he committing the murders in some sort of fugue state?
I have been reading Ramsey Campbell novels since the early 80’s but had never read this till now. While I enjoyed the novel I definitely don’t consider this one in the category of his best works.
This is definitely a doppelganger type horror but it just didn’t have the hard hitting horror I was expecting. This was just a lot of inane babble but unfortunately reflects the meanness of the human spirit that is so evident today.
Co-workers, Emily, Helen, Bill, Andrea and David work in a travel agency. David is a grouch who complains about everything—his job, his girlfriend and his life. Meanwhile, an unnamed narrator is committing horrendous murders. When David discovers a blog using his fantasy blog name talking about the murders, he is concerned. The victims are people at which he was recently angry. Is someone stalking him or is he committing the murders in some sort of fugue state?
I have been reading Ramsey Campbell novels since the early 80’s but had never read this till now. While I enjoyed the novel I definitely don’t consider this one in the category of his best works.
This is definitely a doppelganger type horror but it just didn’t have the hard hitting horror I was expecting. This was just a lot of inane babble but unfortunately reflects the meanness of the human spirit that is so evident today.
Apocalyptic Social Media!
A book set slightly in the future, this tells the story of how social media has developed to such an extent that everyone is now directly linked to the internet. Everything is fed to them, so that they no longer have to learn to do anything for themselves. Something goes wrong however: something of apocalyptic proportions. People are Taken, and their feed is invaded. This can happen when they sleep, so no one sleeps alone. This follows Tom, Kate, their daughter Bea, and the people that they try to start a new life with on a small holding after the Collapse.
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Crushed Velvet (A Material Witness Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Polyester Monroe is just a week away from reopening the fabric shop she inherited from her great uncle. She’s ordered a special blend of velvet and hired her friend Genevieve’s husband, Phil, to pick it up for her. But when the velvet arrives, it’s not Phil behind the wheel. In fact, he’s dead under the velvet. Worse yet, Genevieve thinks she had something to do with his death. Now Poly will have to add solving a murder to her last minute to do list.
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I enjoyed this one just as much. The characters are unique, strong, and real, and I loved getting to revisit them. The plot has plenty of twists and turns before we reached a logical conclusion. I’m already looking forward to visiting them again.
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/2015/08/book-review-crushed-velvet-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I enjoyed this one just as much. The characters are unique, strong, and real, and I loved getting to revisit them. The plot has plenty of twists and turns before we reached a logical conclusion. I’m already looking forward to visiting them again.
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/2015/08/book-review-crushed-velvet-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated First Degree Mudder (Pacific Northwest Mystery #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg’s latest assignment for Northwest Extreme magazine finds her signing up for a mud run and a training course. Billy, the drill instructor in charge of the training course, is harsh – possibly two harsh. After two weeks, Meg is wondering why she signed up. However, one morning she sneaks out early only to discover Billy’s body. Was someone fed up with his training techniques?
Those coming to the series now might be disappointed. While there are some twists to the murder, it is overshadowed by everything else going on in Meg’s life, including a very intriguing twist in the story of her father’s murder. Fans who already know and love Meg will be intrigued by what happens here and anxiously awaiting the next book. (Cliffhangers, anyone?) The new characters are a bit thin as a result, but Meg and the other regulars more than make up for that as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-first-degree-mudder-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those coming to the series now might be disappointed. While there are some twists to the murder, it is overshadowed by everything else going on in Meg’s life, including a very intriguing twist in the story of her father’s murder. Fans who already know and love Meg will be intrigued by what happens here and anxiously awaiting the next book. (Cliffhangers, anyone?) The new characters are a bit thin as a result, but Meg and the other regulars more than make up for that as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-first-degree-mudder-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Five years ago, Isabelle Barney was murdered on the day after Christmas. While her estranged husband was acquitted of the crime, her ex-husband is now suing him in civil court in a wrongful death case. Kinsey has been hired to help the lawyer win the case, taking over from a PI who just died. His notes were a mess, so she is completely retracing his steps. But as she goes, she begins to wonder just who committed the murder. Is she helping the court case, or hurting it?
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Let's Move On in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
We find ourselves where we left off with the last book: a bunch of dirty laundry is now out in the open, pretty much all the main cast has been filled in about the lives of the others, and there's a TON of mixed emotions flying around. However, this group have all been through Hell before, right? They'll definitely get past this, no problem...right?
This series is one of my favorites, because you can really find yourself involved with every single character. This one pays more attention to Zainab than the previous ones, but of course, everyone else still has significant roles. Without giving too much away for anyone who's not caught up by this point, there's a WHOLE lot of drama, many tears, lots of shouting, but also happy-go-lucky moments and love is still in the air. How will your favorite fair in this installment? Definitely read it to find out!
5 stars
We find ourselves where we left off with the last book: a bunch of dirty laundry is now out in the open, pretty much all the main cast has been filled in about the lives of the others, and there's a TON of mixed emotions flying around. However, this group have all been through Hell before, right? They'll definitely get past this, no problem...right?
This series is one of my favorites, because you can really find yourself involved with every single character. This one pays more attention to Zainab than the previous ones, but of course, everyone else still has significant roles. Without giving too much away for anyone who's not caught up by this point, there's a WHOLE lot of drama, many tears, lots of shouting, but also happy-go-lucky moments and love is still in the air. How will your favorite fair in this installment? Definitely read it to find out!
5 stars
I have to admit, I was one of the few people who didn't really know anything about the Golden State Killer. I picked this book up after he was caught because I wanted to learn more and because it is the first book in a new online book club that I joined. I have always found serial killers interesting so I was excited to sit down and listen to this book. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much. I never knew Michelle McNamara's writing style or detective skills so I prepared myself to be disappointed. That disappointment never came.
This book was phenomenal. The research that Michelle & her editors put into this was simply impressive. I was constantly in awe while reading this book. This is probably one of the top true crime novel that I have read. Michelle has a way to pull you into the story and leave you wanting to continue on her hunt (which thankfully we don't have to do now that he is caught).
All in all, this is a great true crime which I will recommend to everyone!
This book was phenomenal. The research that Michelle & her editors put into this was simply impressive. I was constantly in awe while reading this book. This is probably one of the top true crime novel that I have read. Michelle has a way to pull you into the story and leave you wanting to continue on her hunt (which thankfully we don't have to do now that he is caught).
All in all, this is a great true crime which I will recommend to everyone!
David McK (3576 KP) rated Gale Force (Weather Warden, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Poor old Joanne Baldwin
So far in this series she's been marked (literally) for Death, died and been re-born again as a Djinn, lost her Djinn-hood, survived the war Warden/Djinn war and the subsequent Djinn Civil War, and suffered from a severe case of amnesia.
While it felt like most of those various plot strands had been tied-up in the last Weather Warden novel (<i>Thin Air</i>), this proves NOT to be the case, as the backlash from those events continue on in this. In addition, Joanne has to deal with sorting out the details to her wedding to the Djinn leader David (a wedding that some in the Wardens and other Djinn are none to pleased about), as well coping with inquisitive reporters who are now investigating the Wardens.
To my mind, this novel comes across as the 'entry point' to a whole new Weather Warden story, with <i>Thin Air</i>] wrapping up the 'old' story. You would probably still need to read those books first, though!
So far in this series she's been marked (literally) for Death, died and been re-born again as a Djinn, lost her Djinn-hood, survived the war Warden/Djinn war and the subsequent Djinn Civil War, and suffered from a severe case of amnesia.
While it felt like most of those various plot strands had been tied-up in the last Weather Warden novel (<i>Thin Air</i>), this proves NOT to be the case, as the backlash from those events continue on in this. In addition, Joanne has to deal with sorting out the details to her wedding to the Djinn leader David (a wedding that some in the Wardens and other Djinn are none to pleased about), as well coping with inquisitive reporters who are now investigating the Wardens.
To my mind, this novel comes across as the 'entry point' to a whole new Weather Warden story, with <i>Thin Air</i>] wrapping up the 'old' story. You would probably still need to read those books first, though!