Search
Search results
Dean (6921 KP) rated Under the Skin (2014) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018 (Updated Feb 11, 2018)
Strange
A very strange and quirky film. It has some scenes filmed in Scotland high streets with the cameras hidden whilst the public walk past Scarlett Johansson, in a wig, unnoticed. Even featuring a couple of people in the film who were just volunteers really to take part.
The score is good and helps with the eerie feel. The main problem is that the film doesn't seem to know which direction to take. It does turn quite dark suddenly as well. More well known for other reasons.
The score is good and helps with the eerie feel. The main problem is that the film doesn't seem to know which direction to take. It does turn quite dark suddenly as well. More well known for other reasons.
NerdGeek (155 KP) rated The Bookshop on the Corner in Books
Aug 14, 2018
I read this book for a book club on good reads a couple months ago. I enjoyed it, even though it was fairly Predictable, and kind of repetitive. The main character was a little two dimensional. This book is set in Scotland, which I thought was cool. The descriptions the author gave were very well written.
If you're looking for an easy read to while away an evening, look no further. But if you like a little more intelligence and actions in your reading, you might want to keep looking.
If you're looking for an easy read to while away an evening, look no further. But if you like a little more intelligence and actions in your reading, you might want to keep looking.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Distant Echo (Inspector Karen Pirie, #1) in Books
May 20, 2019
Great characters (1 more)
Beautiful writing
I loved the writing in this book, it's the first Val McDermid book I've read and it won't be my last.
The character creation and development in the first part of the book as really engaging. I was fully pulled in Scotland in the late 1970s and into the group of friends as their relationship altered as events affected them.
I did fell it started to drag a bit in the second part but really picked up pace for the end and would recommend for anyone wanting a character driven crime thriller.
The character creation and development in the first part of the book as really engaging. I was fully pulled in Scotland in the late 1970s and into the group of friends as their relationship altered as events affected them.
I did fell it started to drag a bit in the second part but really picked up pace for the end and would recommend for anyone wanting a character driven crime thriller.
This book purports to be the completely true exchanges of one man who decided to play with spammers. Taking on the identity of Bob Servant, a 62 year old semi-retired window washer from Scotland, he sees how long he can string the spammers along, getting them to reply to his strange demands and stories without giving them the info they request. The result is absolutely hilarious. A bit slow at times, but definitely worth a read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-delete-this-at-your-peril.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-delete-this-at-your-peril.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
David Byrne recommended Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child by Woody Guthrie in Music (curated)
Carma (21 KP) rated The Christmas Sisters in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Once again I am transported straight into a family I want to seek out and join. Sarah Morgan has the uncanny ability to weave a story so real, so engaging that it leaves you wanting so much more when the storyline ends. I want to pack a bag, jump on a plane and head to the Highlands of Scotland to find this magnificent family and climb a mountain or 2.
Suzanne is the matriarch of the McBride family, 25 years ago her life changed, for the better, when she was blessed with 3 daughters. She was fulfilling a promise she made to their mother to care for them if anything happened to her or their dad. After that day on the mountain, 5 went up and only 1 came down, she knew what her new destiny would become. She is ecstatic that all 3 of her girls are coming home to Scotland for Christmas this year, it has to all be perfect.
Hannah doesnt want to remember, or talk about, anything that happened 25 years ago. She prides herself on being a hard worker, a good boss, firm but strict and doesnt have time for reminiscing or letting emotions get in the way. She knows this has strained her relationships with her sisters and adoptive parents Suzanne and Stewart. She just doesnt know any other way. Getting involved with a colleague was by far the wildest thing she has ever done. Now she may be pregnant with his baby and has no idea what to do. First step is getting herself on the plane to Scotland, after canceling last year can she do it?
Beth is a champion multi-tasking mom. She left the work force after her first daughter was born and now that her kids are older, she is ready to head back. She needs to feel important, smart, not just like someones mom. Her husband works hard to make sure they have what they need but what she needs is to have some help from him at home. When she receives an offer to rejoin her old boss she goes to Jason to discuss her reentering the work force. He wants her to have another baby instead. She grabs her stuff, changes her ticket and heads to Scotland leaving him to care for their daughters and to fend for himself.
Posy loves living in Scotland, though she hates that her village is so small that literally everyone knows her business. Enter handsome lodger renting part of their barn for months in the winter. Whats a girl to do but do a little flirting? When both her sisters arrive home early she knows something is up but cant get the real story from either of them. When their mother falls ill with the flu just before Christmas, Posy has to rally the troops to pull off the most perfect Christmas celebration yet.
But with a secret agenda, a demanding not quite boss, an arthritic pony, makeup malfunction, unexpected arrivals and locals that get the gossip all wrong, can anyone save this Christmas?
Once again a 5 star read from Ms Morgan, she grabs me at the first sentence and I just cant stop reading until I finish. I literally read while brushing my teeth for fear of missing something. I received an advance copy without expectation for review. This book is just another reason why Sarah Morgan is one of my go to authors. I absolutely cannot wait to see where her next adventure takes me.
Suzanne is the matriarch of the McBride family, 25 years ago her life changed, for the better, when she was blessed with 3 daughters. She was fulfilling a promise she made to their mother to care for them if anything happened to her or their dad. After that day on the mountain, 5 went up and only 1 came down, she knew what her new destiny would become. She is ecstatic that all 3 of her girls are coming home to Scotland for Christmas this year, it has to all be perfect.
Hannah doesnt want to remember, or talk about, anything that happened 25 years ago. She prides herself on being a hard worker, a good boss, firm but strict and doesnt have time for reminiscing or letting emotions get in the way. She knows this has strained her relationships with her sisters and adoptive parents Suzanne and Stewart. She just doesnt know any other way. Getting involved with a colleague was by far the wildest thing she has ever done. Now she may be pregnant with his baby and has no idea what to do. First step is getting herself on the plane to Scotland, after canceling last year can she do it?
Beth is a champion multi-tasking mom. She left the work force after her first daughter was born and now that her kids are older, she is ready to head back. She needs to feel important, smart, not just like someones mom. Her husband works hard to make sure they have what they need but what she needs is to have some help from him at home. When she receives an offer to rejoin her old boss she goes to Jason to discuss her reentering the work force. He wants her to have another baby instead. She grabs her stuff, changes her ticket and heads to Scotland leaving him to care for their daughters and to fend for himself.
Posy loves living in Scotland, though she hates that her village is so small that literally everyone knows her business. Enter handsome lodger renting part of their barn for months in the winter. Whats a girl to do but do a little flirting? When both her sisters arrive home early she knows something is up but cant get the real story from either of them. When their mother falls ill with the flu just before Christmas, Posy has to rally the troops to pull off the most perfect Christmas celebration yet.
But with a secret agenda, a demanding not quite boss, an arthritic pony, makeup malfunction, unexpected arrivals and locals that get the gossip all wrong, can anyone save this Christmas?
Once again a 5 star read from Ms Morgan, she grabs me at the first sentence and I just cant stop reading until I finish. I literally read while brushing my teeth for fear of missing something. I received an advance copy without expectation for review. This book is just another reason why Sarah Morgan is one of my go to authors. I absolutely cannot wait to see where her next adventure takes me.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The House That Dripped Blood (1971) in Movies
Sep 10, 2020
Christopher Lee (1 more)
Peter Cushing
Terror Waits For You In Every Room
The House That Dripped Blood- is a excellent horror anthology film. Each story is linked by this eponymous spooky creepy terrorfying building that this inspector is trying to slove a mystery and gets told by the estate agent about the pervious owners.
The plot: A Scotland Yard inspector is treated to a quartet of horror stories while investigating a murder at a countryside estate.
Like i said each story is really good. From split personality story to a wax story to a voodoo story to a vampire story. All really good.
Highly recordmend watching it.
The plot: A Scotland Yard inspector is treated to a quartet of horror stories while investigating a murder at a countryside estate.
Like i said each story is really good. From split personality story to a wax story to a voodoo story to a vampire story. All really good.
Highly recordmend watching it.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated To All the Boys I've Loved Before in Books
Sep 5, 2019
Those first 80 pages or so were a real struggle for me. I found Margot and Lara Jean both really annoying, especially Margot. She's supposed to be all selfless but I found here quite the opposite so when she finally went to Scotland I was very happy.
I then pretty much devoured the book once LJ's letters got posted out and her love interests made appearances. I was very much cheering her on with both guys but there was something about Peter...and then it ended without a conclusion, or even a HFN.
So I really need to buy the second book in the series to find out what happens next.
I then pretty much devoured the book once LJ's letters got posted out and her love interests made appearances. I was very much cheering her on with both guys but there was something about Peter...and then it ended without a conclusion, or even a HFN.
So I really need to buy the second book in the series to find out what happens next.
2 very good lead actors (1 more)
Great shots of Scotland and the Submarine
Great Drama
A very good enjoyable drama. Largely set on a nuclear submarine after a death is reported on board. Is the start of something much bigger and sinister?
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie really shine in this. As two detectives working a case that gets more alarming the deeper they delve. With Suranne's character on board the Submarine and Rose investigating on land. There are many twists, cold War tactics and government cover ups to be unravelled in the 6 episodes. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie really shine in this. As two detectives working a case that gets more alarming the deeper they delve. With Suranne's character on board the Submarine and Rose investigating on land. There are many twists, cold War tactics and government cover ups to be unravelled in the 6 episodes. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
ClareR (5566 KP) rated A Woman Made of Snow in Books
Nov 9, 2021
A Woman Made Of Snow is a book steeped in the history of the Gillan family, which automatically ticks a lot of boxes for me. This is a dual timeline story: Scotland in 1949, and the Arctic at some time in the mid 1800s.
Caro and Alasdair marry after the War and move back to his family home - Kelly Castle in Scotland. Caro has high hopes of continuing to work in a university, but motherhood puts pay to that, and instead decides to look into the Gillan family genealogy, and specifically the mysterious disappearance of Alasdair’s great grandmother. When Caro finds the remains of a diary, there are some startling findings.
We flash back and forth between 1949 and the 1800s, where the information missing from the diary is more clearly explained. When a body is unearthed after flooding, this poses more questions about he person’s identity. Is this the missing relative?
I absolutely loved this. The descriptions of the sea, the Arctic tundra and the Inuit who lived there, fascinated me. Less pleasant were the attitudes of the British towards other cultures, but this was interesting, all the same. The changing roles of women was portrayed well. Whilst not the same as our lives today, Caro’s life in the 1940’s/ 50’s was markedly better than that of the women in the 1800s.
This was such an enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this wonderful book.
Caro and Alasdair marry after the War and move back to his family home - Kelly Castle in Scotland. Caro has high hopes of continuing to work in a university, but motherhood puts pay to that, and instead decides to look into the Gillan family genealogy, and specifically the mysterious disappearance of Alasdair’s great grandmother. When Caro finds the remains of a diary, there are some startling findings.
We flash back and forth between 1949 and the 1800s, where the information missing from the diary is more clearly explained. When a body is unearthed after flooding, this poses more questions about he person’s identity. Is this the missing relative?
I absolutely loved this. The descriptions of the sea, the Arctic tundra and the Inuit who lived there, fascinated me. Less pleasant were the attitudes of the British towards other cultures, but this was interesting, all the same. The changing roles of women was portrayed well. Whilst not the same as our lives today, Caro’s life in the 1940’s/ 50’s was markedly better than that of the women in the 1800s.
This was such an enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this wonderful book.