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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Solid Gold Murder in Books

Jul 30, 2025 (Updated Jul 30, 2025)  
Solid Gold Murder
Solid Gold Murder
Ellen Byron | 2025 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Second Gold Rush Leads to a Solid Second Mystery
When some guests find real gold flakes at Dee’s motel, it sets off a second gold rush in the area. Among those who show up are Sylvan Burr, a smug tech mogul who is looking to strike it rich again. When someone shoves him down a mine shaft, the question is who didn’t want the man dead. Can Dee figure out what happened?

I love the first book in this series, and I’m happy that this book is a solid follow up. The location is great, one I’d want to visit between murders. The mystery is strong with plenty to keep us guessing. And that’s not to mention several subplots that weave in and out of the story. I do wish we saw more of Jonas, Dee’s new boyfriend, but that’s a minor complaint. The rest of the cast are fun, and the suspects solid. We also get some great laughs. In the way of extras, there are some road trip tips and a recipe. This is another delightful mystery from Ellen Byron. You’ll be glad you picked it up.
  
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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Due Date (2010) in Movies

Aug 8, 2019  
Due Date (2010)
Due Date (2010)
2010 | Comedy
4
6.6 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
What could possibly go wrong when you pair a stressed out father-to-be, Peter (Robert Downey Jr.), with the world’s worst road trip partner, Ethan (Zach Galifianakis), on a trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles? In a karmic way, at least these two men appear to be meant for each other.

Zach Galifianakis’s role as Ethan Tremblay is wildly funny, though he plays a role very similar to the one he played in The Hangover, with a slightly more childish demeanor. If his character in the Hangover was a 14 year old in an adult’s body, in this film he is a 7 year old boy.

Peter Highman, played by Robert Downey Jr., is obviously frustrated because he’s trying to get home to his very pregnant wife. This inevitably creates an anger that is only exacerbated by the stupidity and carelessness of Ethan. The minor truces and cease-fires they found during their trip were constantly being broken by something Ethan would do that was hilariously rude and dumb.

This film walked a fine line with both characters, with Ethan pushing the charm up to keep us from totally hating him, all the while allowing Peter be an asshole from time to time to keep us from being too sympathetic to him. In one particularly funny moment, during a side stop soon after they take off from Atlanta, we see Peter discipline a young boy in a ridiculously inappropriate way that makes us question his fitness as a father. It’s during these times that the movie really shines. The chemistry between them was good for the most part, but the inevitable reconciliation between them was rushed at the end, and while the actors more than did their jobs, the script didn’t give them very much cause to act so suddenly benevolent toward each other.

Overall, the movie was funny, but not quite funny enough. Some of the gags were fairly disgusting, and while most didn’t detract from the movie, only a few really came across as well-executed. This movie had the potential to be very funny, but with some unresolved plot holes and some long stretches where nothing much was going on, I wouldn’t really recommend this to my friends, despite the big name actors and hype.
  
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Rachel King (13 KP) rated Last Sacrifice in Books

Feb 11, 2019  
Last Sacrifice
Last Sacrifice
Richelle Mead | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (25 Ratings)
Book Rating
I waited a long time to read this book, but it was still well worth the wait. In typical Rose fashion, she disregards the practical advice of her friends and family to try and help those she cares about most. Embarking on a road trip around the eastern United States, she searches for the clues to the missing Dragomir heir, all the while growing closer to the newly-Moroi Demitri. All the while, Lissa navigates the intricacies of the Royal Court and deals with being thrust into the running for the new Queen.
All the recognizable faces from throughout the series make an appearance in the final book, as any good series finale would do. All but one of the loose ends were resolved decently, such as dealing with the problem of the Dashkov brothers.
The trials that Lissa goes through to be declared a valid candidate for Queen were interesting in that they forced her to rely on only herself and tested her inner strength and resolve. They showed a maturity in her that goes far beyond her young 18 years.
Of course, the biggest anticipation for me was the final outcome of who would end up with Rose - Dimitri or Adrian. While at first I disliked Adrian, he seemed to prove his worthiness to me throughout the series. The road trip, though, forces Dimitri to heal from his memories as Strigoi and face some things about himself. Without giving away Rose's choice, I am happy with it, though I feel sorry for the man that got left behind. The promise of the spin-off series, Bloodlines, centered around the Alchemist Sydney, gives me hope that he will find someone who matches him better than Rose did.
The ending answers my own question of what the title was referring to, though it was a bit predictable. I am thrilled about the outcome of the Queen's replacement, and I really hope that the spin-off series will also show some of the new Queen's life. What was not predictable for me was the revelation of who murdered the previous queen - I made the same assumption early on as most of Rose's allies did, and I was just as surprised as they were over who really did it - and I'm still kind of disappointed, since I liked the character responsible and I feel as betrayed as many of the others did by the news. When the characters can feel that real, I know it's good writing.