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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated Hearse and Buggy (An Amish Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After her divorce, Claire has settled into the town of Heavenly, Pennsylvania, thanks to her aunt. She’s begun to make friends among the Amish and even opened a store that sells the items her new friends make. However, the potential peace of her new life is shattered when a man is found murdered outside her store. He left town recently after being accused of stealing from the Amish. Even though murder is not in their beliefs, might one of Claire’s new friends killed him?
The characters in this book are already fully developed and alive. They drew me into the story and made me care about several sub-plots that do slow down the mystery early on. Still, once the mystery takes center stage, it is well plotted with clues and red herrings along the way.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-hearse-and-buggy-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The characters in this book are already fully developed and alive. They drew me into the story and made me care about several sub-plots that do slow down the mystery early on. Still, once the mystery takes center stage, it is well plotted with clues and red herrings along the way.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-hearse-and-buggy-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
CJ (8 KP) rated The Bookshop (2017) in Movies
Sep 11, 2018 (Updated Sep 11, 2018)
Woman vs. town.
Based on the novel of the same title by Penelope Fitzgerald, it tells the story of widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) who opens a bookshop in an abandoned home in a small English village. Unfortunately, she does so against the wishes of some of the locals who try to get her removed from her shop. However, she does not find herself without allies and friends.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
ClareR (6067 KP) rated Melmoth: A Novel in Books
Nov 2, 2018
A gothic, spellbinding novel.
A dark, gothic story, of a woman living an austere life in Prague, set in winter - which makes it all the more foreboding!
Melmoth is omnipresent throughout the novel. Helen, the main character, seems to have something in her past that she is punishing herself for. She makes sure that she has no enjoyment in her life: from food to clothes, to friendships. She does have some friends, though: Thea and Karel.
Karel finds some documents about Melmoth the Wanderer, and so an obsession begins.
For a dark, depressing novel, there is a lot of hope in it too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It got to the stage where I was sure I could see a dark shadow in my peripheral vision - could it be Melmoth looking for company in her lonely wanderings?
This is a compelling read - once started, I really didn't want to stop. I enjoyed the historical detail in Karel's documents too.
Another great story from Sarah Perry.
Melmoth is omnipresent throughout the novel. Helen, the main character, seems to have something in her past that she is punishing herself for. She makes sure that she has no enjoyment in her life: from food to clothes, to friendships. She does have some friends, though: Thea and Karel.
Karel finds some documents about Melmoth the Wanderer, and so an obsession begins.
For a dark, depressing novel, there is a lot of hope in it too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It got to the stage where I was sure I could see a dark shadow in my peripheral vision - could it be Melmoth looking for company in her lonely wanderings?
This is a compelling read - once started, I really didn't want to stop. I enjoyed the historical detail in Karel's documents too.
Another great story from Sarah Perry.
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated The Long Winter (Little House, #6) in Books
Nov 5, 2018
Not one of my favourite in the Little House series, I must admit. We follow the family through a VERY long winter full of repetition and worry that eats away at the reader as much as it must have done poor Laura to live through it! (I must add, I read this during a period of bad snow ehere I had nothing to live off for several days but bagels, and as much as I love them, you don't half get fed up of blooming bread!)
One lovely highlight of this book is the loser interaction between the Wilder boys and the Ingalls family, even if, at this stage, it is just limited to Pa! It's nice to see the gradual steps towards what we already know occurs, and it's written well!
Not a bad read, drags a little and at times is like a plaster, you just need to whip it off and get on with it!
One lovely highlight of this book is the loser interaction between the Wilder boys and the Ingalls family, even if, at this stage, it is just limited to Pa! It's nice to see the gradual steps towards what we already know occurs, and it's written well!
Not a bad read, drags a little and at times is like a plaster, you just need to whip it off and get on with it!
David McK (3713 KP) rated The Painted Man (the Demon Cycle, Book 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
First in "The Demon Cycle", this is very much what I would term a dark fantasy novel: not urban fantasy (like The Dresden Files), not heroic fantasy (David Gemmell) and not high fantasy (Lord of the Rings).
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
David McK (3713 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is now part of the Star Wars 'Legend's (i.e. non-canon stories) following Marvel's acquisition of Lucasfilm; however - in many respects - I also feel that this is/was a strong candidate for remaining as part of the lore (or, like Grand Admiral Thrawn, being integrated into it).
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
Skwchance (13 KP) rated The Afterlife of Walter Augustus in Books
Nov 12, 2019
Theory of afterlife (4 more)
Comedy
Love
Uplifting
Supernatural
Ghosts, love and cake
Walter is stick in limbo in the interim, a period of afterlife where you remain until everyone who knew him dies. All his loved ones have moved to yhe final stage of afterlife and he wants to go with them but a book of poems he wrote has been found by a stranger. Now she knows his name he is stuck for longer.
The story follows him and the women who found the book, Letty. She is a sad character who you want things to turn out good for.
The theory of the afterlife is fabulous and made me question whether I would want to stay there forever and be remembered or if I would want to risk moving into the final afterlife.
The characters made me want to shake them into being braver at times but are endearing. The plot is a bit crazy but there are lots of laughs and it is very creative.
The story follows him and the women who found the book, Letty. She is a sad character who you want things to turn out good for.
The theory of the afterlife is fabulous and made me question whether I would want to stay there forever and be remembered or if I would want to risk moving into the final afterlife.
The characters made me want to shake them into being braver at times but are endearing. The plot is a bit crazy but there are lots of laughs and it is very creative.
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