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The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories
P.D. James | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's getting a bit late to post these festive reviews so I'll keep it short. It's only a short book, anyway.

This book contains four short stories, all crime/detective tales, starting with The Mistltoe Murder. My personal favourite was the final story, The Twelve Clues of Christmas. Every story was great, though, and A Very Commonplace Murder was particularly surprising.

James manages to include a fantastic little hint/twist at the end of the stories, changing your whole perception on what you've just read. This made the crimes so much more interesting and real. They were relatively simple crimes - stabbings, poisoning - but there's always a lot more going on under the surface than you'd expect.

A fantastic little collection, with a foreword by Val McDermid too. 4 stars.
  
Wide Sargasso Sea
Wide Sargasso Sea
6
7.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not what I expected
I was recommended this book by a friend as I enjoyed Jane Eyre. Was not sure what I was expecting when I started this but I have to say I was disappointed. Whereas the premis was good and it was an interesting thought to explore 'Mrs Rochester' the bok was far too short and I felt what could have been a great exploration of a character fell way short. The narrative was all over the place using first and third perspectives. Worth a read if you want something quick to pass the time.
  
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Roxanne (13 KP) rated Wetter in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
W
Wetter
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>2 Star Rating</b>

Unfortunately I was quite disappointed with this one as it could have been so much better. I knew it was going to be a short read but definitely not as short as that! Most of the pages weren't anything to do with the main 'story'.
This was just one scene (yummy but not very exciting) which left a lot to be desired. There wasn't much of a story, little to no depth to the characters and ultimately a poor climax.
This would have great potential as a full length novel though.
  
The I.O.U.
The I.O.U.
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm actually giving this short story 4.5 stars, since I was a touch confused by the ending. Nevertheless, I have to say that this previously undiscovered short story is simply delightful, and thank you so much The New Yorker for publishing it (which you can find here http://bit.ly/2mLpQvP). This is Fitzgerald at his best and most cynical. He takes an untenable situation and finds the humor in it, while allowing the sadness to dissolve into the background, like the very last lingerings of a slightly unpleasant scent. This very quick read is highly recommended!
  
Hi Vis High Tea  by Frenzal Rhomb
Hi Vis High Tea by Frenzal Rhomb
2017 | Rhythm And Blues, Rock
Twenty songs clocking in at just over thirty minutes – short and to the point. If you are remotely into three-part vocal harmonies paired with catchy and upbeat tunes and peppered with smart lyrics, this will be right up your alley.
Critic- Scene Point Blank
Original Score: 8 out of 10

Read Review: https://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/frenzal-rhomb/hi-vis-high-tea/
  
Lincoln in the Bardo
Lincoln in the Bardo
George Saunders | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lincoln in the Bardo is an incredible first novel from a master of the short fiction format. The shared narration is reminiscent of a Greek chorus or a conversation, rendered on the page like the script of a play.
Critic- Melissa Ward
Original Score- 5 out of 5

Read Review: http://balletbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/lincoln-in-bardo-by-george-saunders.html
  
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Stephen King | 1999 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Thriller
6
7.4 (25 Ratings)
Book Rating
My Personal Opinion
I like Stephen King as an author and have loved everything I have read of his up to this point. For me this book feel short. I'm not a huge fan of psychological horror and that's what this felt like to me. The book was ok enough that I finished it but it isn't one of my favorites.
  
The novel is a prequel that sets up the Peter Pan story we all know and love. As a Peter Pan fan, I enjoyed it, although the short chapters and multiple view points made it too choppy near the end.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-peter-and-starcatchers-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
TO
Thrown Out: Stories from Exeter
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Four short stories set in a small, college town in Massachusetts that focus on the characters who live there. I really enjoyed meeting them and look forward to getting to know them better in the novels she is also setting there. NOTE: I was sent this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Stephen (188 KP) rated I, Robot in Books

Sep 6, 2018  
I, Robot
I, Robot
Isaac Asimov | 1950 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.2 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the place to start if you've never read any of Asimov's books. I, Robot is a collection of short stories that will introduce you to the Asimov universe. It will start you on a wonderful journey over thousands of years as you venture through the robot novels to the galactic empire novels and finally to the foundation series.