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Murder on the Med
9.0
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A travel feature turns into a deadly investigation for Kat Lawson when she discovers a missing...
ClareR (6238 KP) rated Dead to Her in Books
Oct 26, 2021
Dead to Her is a thriller set in Savannah, Georgia, amongst its rich inhabitants.
When William Redford, close to retirement and on a year long holiday, comes back early with a very young, beautiful, black wife from London on his arm, the tongues are immediately set wagging.
Marcie, also a second wife, notices that her husband seems a little too interested in William’s new wife, Keisha, and the two women are encouraged to become friends. Marcie is at first very reluctant to do so.
The first half of the book lulls you in to a false sense of security - I thought that I knew what was going to happen. How wrong could I have been?! The second half doesn’t let up - and what surprises Keisha and Marcie had in store for the reader! This book was so cleverly written, that when Voodoo was introduced in to the storyline, I found myself believing in its power along with the characters!
I think the takeaway from this would be that you should never underestimate people, no matter how they appear on the surface (especially if they’re in a Sarah Pinborough book!). This book had me gasping out loud in sheer astonishment more than once!
If you enjoy revenge, murder and high society, then this may very well be the book for you - it was most definitely a hard book to put down!
When William Redford, close to retirement and on a year long holiday, comes back early with a very young, beautiful, black wife from London on his arm, the tongues are immediately set wagging.
Marcie, also a second wife, notices that her husband seems a little too interested in William’s new wife, Keisha, and the two women are encouraged to become friends. Marcie is at first very reluctant to do so.
The first half of the book lulls you in to a false sense of security - I thought that I knew what was going to happen. How wrong could I have been?! The second half doesn’t let up - and what surprises Keisha and Marcie had in store for the reader! This book was so cleverly written, that when Voodoo was introduced in to the storyline, I found myself believing in its power along with the characters!
I think the takeaway from this would be that you should never underestimate people, no matter how they appear on the surface (especially if they’re in a Sarah Pinborough book!). This book had me gasping out loud in sheer astonishment more than once!
If you enjoy revenge, murder and high society, then this may very well be the book for you - it was most definitely a hard book to put down!
Over the Emerald Valley (Immortal Jewels) by Lee Colgin
8.0
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Life as a concubine to the devious Viceroy Abasi isn’t so bad. Temaj has food, shelter, and every...
MM Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Staged 4 Murder in Books
Oct 6, 2022
Murder is a Catwalk
The Booked 4 Murder book club is thrilled to find the local theater is putting on a production of The Mousetrap and asking the residents of the local retirement community to participate. Naturally, everyone is excited to be part of the cast and crew. Since Sophie Kimball’s mother lands a part in the play, she expects she will hear all about it in detail. What she doesn’t expect is that someone will find the dead body of Miranda Lee, the star, on the catwalk above the stage one day. Yes, Miranda was being a diva with a capital D, but who would want to kill her?
I was glad I finally found time to return to Sophie’s world. Fans of the play will appreciate references to it and other Agatha Christie works, but knowing the play isn’t a requirement, and nothing is spoiled. There is plenty of action to keep things going. The climax was fun, but there was a bit too much to it. The Booked 4 Murder ladies were mostly balanced between funny and annoying, and I laughed as I read. Sophie is a great main character, and I enjoyed the bit of romance. Hopefully, it won’t be as long before I get to the next book in the series.
I was glad I finally found time to return to Sophie’s world. Fans of the play will appreciate references to it and other Agatha Christie works, but knowing the play isn’t a requirement, and nothing is spoiled. There is plenty of action to keep things going. The climax was fun, but there was a bit too much to it. The Booked 4 Murder ladies were mostly balanced between funny and annoying, and I laughed as I read. Sophie is a great main character, and I enjoyed the bit of romance. Hopefully, it won’t be as long before I get to the next book in the series.
Home Alone 4 (2002)
Movie
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House is a 2002 American made-for-television Christmas family comedy...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Permanently Booked in Books
Feb 22, 2019
Who Help the Librarian Check out Permanently?
Summer Smythe and Dorothy Westin are taking some books to be donated to the Hibiscus Pointe library when they find the body of Lorella, the librarian, on the floor in the stacks. Summer is certain that the strange encounter they had on their way into the library is the best clue to the killer, but Dorothy thinks the book club that Lorella was trying to start in the retirement community might hold the clue. Can the duo work together again to solve the latest mystery?
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and it was great to get to visit Dorothy and Summer again. They may be very different people, but they make a fantastic team. We get to see that as the book spends equal time in their third person points of view. This technique is perfectly used to allow them both to drive the mystery at various times. The plot is great with several viable suspects and keep us guessing until the end. I did think one or two minor things were left dangling, but it wasn’t a big deal since the important pieces of the puzzle were resolved. The characters range from fairly normal to wacky in a fun way, and I loved spending time with them. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one to book to put on your reading schedule soon.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and it was great to get to visit Dorothy and Summer again. They may be very different people, but they make a fantastic team. We get to see that as the book spends equal time in their third person points of view. This technique is perfectly used to allow them both to drive the mystery at various times. The plot is great with several viable suspects and keep us guessing until the end. I did think one or two minor things were left dangling, but it wasn’t a big deal since the important pieces of the puzzle were resolved. The characters range from fairly normal to wacky in a fun way, and I loved spending time with them. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one to book to put on your reading schedule soon.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee - Single by Letters from the Earth in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Letters from the Earth is an alternative outfit. Not too long ago, they released a music video for their “Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee” single.
“‘Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee’ illuminates the life of a typical employee. Also, it examines the true value of work in the west. The song’s surrealist music video finds a somber employee attending her own absurd retirement party. Where, Foster, portraying the titular Frank Ghilardi, presents his melancholic address.” – Letters from the Earth
‘Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee’ tells an interesting tale in the form of a farewell speech. Also, the speech is delivered from a fictional company head to an unnamed subordinate.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, it possesses charming instrumentation which was produced and mixed by Ben Hirschfield (Against Me!, The Story So Far, and Elder Brother).
“It’s okay to cry. You’ve made it alive through forty years here at Ghilardi. Don’t be afraid of your life turning gray. There’ll be no more files to be sorted. No people to wave you on at the gate. No phone calls to take, no lunches to make, no more coming home to dinners alone.” – lyrics
Letters from the Earth consists of Matt Foster (vocals, guitar), Ben Hirschfield (guitar, keys, synth), Cameron MacBain (drums), and Morgan Foster (bass).
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/letters-from-the-earth-frank-ghilardi/
“‘Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee’ illuminates the life of a typical employee. Also, it examines the true value of work in the west. The song’s surrealist music video finds a somber employee attending her own absurd retirement party. Where, Foster, portraying the titular Frank Ghilardi, presents his melancholic address.” – Letters from the Earth
‘Frank Ghilardi Sends Off a Long-Tenured Employee’ tells an interesting tale in the form of a farewell speech. Also, the speech is delivered from a fictional company head to an unnamed subordinate.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, it possesses charming instrumentation which was produced and mixed by Ben Hirschfield (Against Me!, The Story So Far, and Elder Brother).
“It’s okay to cry. You’ve made it alive through forty years here at Ghilardi. Don’t be afraid of your life turning gray. There’ll be no more files to be sorted. No people to wave you on at the gate. No phone calls to take, no lunches to make, no more coming home to dinners alone.” – lyrics
Letters from the Earth consists of Matt Foster (vocals, guitar), Ben Hirschfield (guitar, keys, synth), Cameron MacBain (drums), and Morgan Foster (bass).
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/letters-from-the-earth-frank-ghilardi/
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated 2061: Odyssey Three (Space Odyssey, #3) in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Arthur C. Clarke was always keen on incorporating the latest scientific discoveries into his works, and when a flyby of the most famous comet of them all - Halley's Comet - by the probe Giotto revealed an icy surface ravaged by guysers of gas and liquids as the sun boiled away the water and hydrocarbons, Clarke saw a scenario that could get Dr Heywood Floyd out of retirement.
With the return of Halley's Comet in 2061, a luxury trip is proposed which Floyd's sense of adventure can't resist. However when things don't quite go to plan his resourcefulness comes to the fore - as well as his connection to long-lost astronaut Dave Bowman and computer HAL9000.
As a neat piece of science fiction, leaning heavily on the science, this books works well and it's a compelling read, especially the encounter with the comet, a world so utterly alien Clarke does well to capture it in his descriptions. As a sequal to 2001 and 2010 it works perhaps a little less well as it doesn't have a great deal to do with the future of mankind, as the first books do. The sequence around the comet would have worked with any protagonist, it didn't need to be Floyd, but would have been a shorter work. But it just about fits into the Space Odyssey ouvre and it's always good to meet up with old friends.
With the return of Halley's Comet in 2061, a luxury trip is proposed which Floyd's sense of adventure can't resist. However when things don't quite go to plan his resourcefulness comes to the fore - as well as his connection to long-lost astronaut Dave Bowman and computer HAL9000.
As a neat piece of science fiction, leaning heavily on the science, this books works well and it's a compelling read, especially the encounter with the comet, a world so utterly alien Clarke does well to capture it in his descriptions. As a sequal to 2001 and 2010 it works perhaps a little less well as it doesn't have a great deal to do with the future of mankind, as the first books do. The sequence around the comet would have worked with any protagonist, it didn't need to be Floyd, but would have been a shorter work. But it just about fits into the Space Odyssey ouvre and it's always good to meet up with old friends.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
“An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.” That is the synopsis of this movie. And that pretty much sums it up. This film isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel and it isn’t trying to be smart, but it is trying to be fun and that is exactly what it is.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick, channels his inner “Neo” with slightly more emotion to track down the gangsters who wronged him. Wick is such a “bad-ass” that the Russian mob refers to him as the man you send to kill the boogieman. The action is entertaining and the gun kata is especially fun to watch but there is no point where you ever feel Wick is in danger.
The most intriguing element of this film is the underground world of assassins where we learn and understand its rules and code. Unfortunately, the film does not develop this society enough which is a shame, because they have decent elements to create a series of films on this aspect alone.
Ultimately, unless you are just looking for the quick escapism of an action film, there really is no reason to go see this in the theaters and pay full price. Check it out as a matinee or even a rental. It is entertaining action, but once it is over, it is also quickly forgotten.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick, channels his inner “Neo” with slightly more emotion to track down the gangsters who wronged him. Wick is such a “bad-ass” that the Russian mob refers to him as the man you send to kill the boogieman. The action is entertaining and the gun kata is especially fun to watch but there is no point where you ever feel Wick is in danger.
The most intriguing element of this film is the underground world of assassins where we learn and understand its rules and code. Unfortunately, the film does not develop this society enough which is a shame, because they have decent elements to create a series of films on this aspect alone.
Ultimately, unless you are just looking for the quick escapism of an action film, there really is no reason to go see this in the theaters and pay full price. Check it out as a matinee or even a rental. It is entertaining action, but once it is over, it is also quickly forgotten.
Walking Forward, Looking Back: A District Nurse's Life Journey
Book
The book tells the story of a retired district nurse and midwife reflecting on her life whilst...