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This is the fourteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
Driving home to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets stuck in a terrible snowstorm. It forces her to stop at a rest area in Colorado. There she finds four other strangers stranded as well. When going back out to her car to try to get a cell signal, Darby makes a horrible discovery: in the van next to her vehicle, there's a little girl locked in a crate. Darby has no cell signal, there's no phone at the rest stop, and no way of knowing which of the four strangers has abducted this child. She's trapped and must find a way to rescue the kid. But how?
When I first picked up this book, I found it a little slow. Honestly, I think it's just because it stressed me out completely. One young college student trapped in the snow, trying to save a kid. It's a lot. I will say that Darby Thorne is a total badass (much like my hero, Darby Shaw, of The Pelican Brief).
This book is basically just a horror show, filled with violence, terror, and suspense. You don't know who Darby can trust, or what on earth will happen next. Adams packs a lot of tension into a book set in a rest area, and into a story that spans over less than half a day. It's pretty impressive.
Overall, while I can't say I completely enjoyed this book, because I was constantly worried, it's very well-done and suspenseful. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.
Driving home to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets stuck in a terrible snowstorm. It forces her to stop at a rest area in Colorado. There she finds four other strangers stranded as well. When going back out to her car to try to get a cell signal, Darby makes a horrible discovery: in the van next to her vehicle, there's a little girl locked in a crate. Darby has no cell signal, there's no phone at the rest stop, and no way of knowing which of the four strangers has abducted this child. She's trapped and must find a way to rescue the kid. But how?
When I first picked up this book, I found it a little slow. Honestly, I think it's just because it stressed me out completely. One young college student trapped in the snow, trying to save a kid. It's a lot. I will say that Darby Thorne is a total badass (much like my hero, Darby Shaw, of The Pelican Brief).
This book is basically just a horror show, filled with violence, terror, and suspense. You don't know who Darby can trust, or what on earth will happen next. Adams packs a lot of tension into a book set in a rest area, and into a story that spans over less than half a day. It's pretty impressive.
Overall, while I can't say I completely enjoyed this book, because I was constantly worried, it's very well-done and suspenseful. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Blood of the Dragonfly (The Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series) in Books
Apr 10, 2021
Blood of the dragonfly is book five of this series. It continues the series of crime-fighting and solving murders now in the backyard of to ex seals. If you are into mysteries and murder, this series is a good one for you.
Though I would suggest that you be wary that there are death scenes and some nasty words for some readers. This book is for adults, and I recommend maybe ages 16 to 17 years old and up. However, that is up to the parents and their choice to read this book or series. This series has different ratings for content for each book.
There seem to be quite a few twists and turns throughout the book. It all starts when Craige decides to help his buddy MacGerald get home from PDK airport. It seems to start up with a mysterious shadow that he thinks he spots. Someone somehow comes alive after being dead?
You will go for a ride and hit some bumps along the way. It starts heating up when Spinner decides to come for a visit at Moccasin Hollow. Will they find out who started the fire? Who is this mystery woman that shows up out of nowhere? Who messed with MacGerarald's investigation? Who wants them all dead? What does the dragonfly have to do with it at all?
Suppose you are into thrillers and suspense and mystery. This book and series is a good one to pick up and read. I have rated this book 4.5 stars (Moons). It seems to have puzzles and clues to have you guessing until the end. What did I know more about how Corpsewood Manor was the target or a little more detail about what was going on to set fire to Corpsewood?
Though I would suggest that you be wary that there are death scenes and some nasty words for some readers. This book is for adults, and I recommend maybe ages 16 to 17 years old and up. However, that is up to the parents and their choice to read this book or series. This series has different ratings for content for each book.
There seem to be quite a few twists and turns throughout the book. It all starts when Craige decides to help his buddy MacGerald get home from PDK airport. It seems to start up with a mysterious shadow that he thinks he spots. Someone somehow comes alive after being dead?
You will go for a ride and hit some bumps along the way. It starts heating up when Spinner decides to come for a visit at Moccasin Hollow. Will they find out who started the fire? Who is this mystery woman that shows up out of nowhere? Who messed with MacGerarald's investigation? Who wants them all dead? What does the dragonfly have to do with it at all?
Suppose you are into thrillers and suspense and mystery. This book and series is a good one to pick up and read. I have rated this book 4.5 stars (Moons). It seems to have puzzles and clues to have you guessing until the end. What did I know more about how Corpsewood Manor was the target or a little more detail about what was going on to set fire to Corpsewood?
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated A Quiet Place: Part II (2021) in Movies
May 29, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
In A Quiet Place: Part II we get to see how it all started, the film begins on 'Day one' when the creatures first arrive (this is also most of the footage used in the trailer). At first glance this seems like an odd move as the film is advertised as sequel, however, this introduction serves as a reminder to the set up of the first film, a reminder as to who some of the characters are and does actually set up a couple of things for later on in the film.
The film soon jumps ahead and picks up almost directly where the first one left off, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and family look for other survivors and try to find a way to use what they found out at the end of Part 1.
Like the first film Part 2 uses sound, or the lack of, to help build the suspense and switches between tense, atmospheric scenes, some action and jump scares. It can be slow in parts but this is all in scene setting and tension building.
One of the good thing about 'A Quiet Place: Part 2' is that it doesn't fall into the typical post apocalyptic trap that all survivor groups are sinister (Walking dead, I'm looking at you). In fact the film does make you think that that is the way it's going to go.
A Quiet Place: Part 2 is a sequel in the truest sense, as I said, after the first few scenes it picks up directly after the first film in a way that, if you haven't seen part one (or haven't seen it for a while) then you will be missing some quite important information so a re watch of part 1 may be a good idea.
The film soon jumps ahead and picks up almost directly where the first one left off, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and family look for other survivors and try to find a way to use what they found out at the end of Part 1.
Like the first film Part 2 uses sound, or the lack of, to help build the suspense and switches between tense, atmospheric scenes, some action and jump scares. It can be slow in parts but this is all in scene setting and tension building.
One of the good thing about 'A Quiet Place: Part 2' is that it doesn't fall into the typical post apocalyptic trap that all survivor groups are sinister (Walking dead, I'm looking at you). In fact the film does make you think that that is the way it's going to go.
A Quiet Place: Part 2 is a sequel in the truest sense, as I said, after the first few scenes it picks up directly after the first film in a way that, if you haven't seen part one (or haven't seen it for a while) then you will be missing some quite important information so a re watch of part 1 may be a good idea.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated The Purge: Anarchy (2014) in Movies
Jul 14, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
The Purge Anarchy is the second film in the Purge franchise and shows more of the effect the purge is having on the general populous.
The film follows three groups who are all out during the annual purge for different reasons but who are forced to come together to help each other.
Some of the questions raised in the first film are expanded on, is the Purge really a way to help stop normal crime or is there a more sinister reason. It also raises the question, Is there any good reason to purge? We see it used as a way to make money, an excuse to behave in 'base' ways and a way to get revenge.
Purge Anarchy follows the main protagonists as they make their way to safety and has some of the sense of suspense the first movie has but also has a lot more violence, a lot of which is in the background as the group try to avoid it.
'Class' is also brought up with an anti-purge group producing media saying that the true purpose of the purge is really just a way of getting rid of the lower class and the poor, with more evidence of this as the film progresses.
Over all the Purge Anarchy is a good movie, it looses some of the tension of the first film by widening the area the film is set but, if they had just done another home invasion film it would have been 'more of the same' and taking it out into the streets enables the franchises law to grow. There are a few questions left at least partly unanswered but there are (at time of writing) three more films and a series so hopefully these are answered later.
The film follows three groups who are all out during the annual purge for different reasons but who are forced to come together to help each other.
Some of the questions raised in the first film are expanded on, is the Purge really a way to help stop normal crime or is there a more sinister reason. It also raises the question, Is there any good reason to purge? We see it used as a way to make money, an excuse to behave in 'base' ways and a way to get revenge.
Purge Anarchy follows the main protagonists as they make their way to safety and has some of the sense of suspense the first movie has but also has a lot more violence, a lot of which is in the background as the group try to avoid it.
'Class' is also brought up with an anti-purge group producing media saying that the true purpose of the purge is really just a way of getting rid of the lower class and the poor, with more evidence of this as the film progresses.
Over all the Purge Anarchy is a good movie, it looses some of the tension of the first film by widening the area the film is set but, if they had just done another home invasion film it would have been 'more of the same' and taking it out into the streets enables the franchises law to grow. There are a few questions left at least partly unanswered but there are (at time of writing) three more films and a series so hopefully these are answered later.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated From the Shadows in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The main characters in this novel are detective Monica and social worker Michael. I really enjoyed the way the author developed these two characters throughout the book. Monica is a single mother who is trying her best to be a good mum and a good detective. She is an interesting character with a very distinctive appearance. Michael had his own issues in the past, but at the moment his main goal is to find his client Nichol, who suddenly disappeared, and he is the only one who cares enough to find him. While Monica is dealing with dead teenagers, Michael is launching his own investigation into finding the missing boy. The case gets more tangled and complicated, so Monica and Michael start working together to solve it all.
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Apple Tree Yard in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Who doesn't like a good thriller novel?
The narrative of this book is quite unique, being recalled as an account from the past. Yvonne, the narrator, often refers to "now" and unknown events that have yet to take place in the story. This definitely builds the suspense a lot.
Yvonne takes us through the development of her extramarrital relationship with the unknown "you" (or "X" as she refers to him in her letters). Later, we will learn the identity of Yvonne's lover, but throughout the book we are given only speculations about his life that Yvonne theorises to be accurate.
This affair is, I suppose, both shocking and familiar at the same time. Yvonne is a successful, loved wife and mother with a safe home and good career. She loves her husband and her children. Her affair is, in this respect, unexpected and outrageous. But at the same time, as Yvonne summarises at the end of the novel, her "one-off" offence falls perfectly into the typical category of people like her. People who do not cheat on their partners because they don't love them. Unline "you", who cheats repeatedly for the excitement of it.
Most of the book is dedicated to the devlopment of the relationship, with other details of Yvonne's life and comments about the present included here and there. Yvonne is eventually sexually assaulted by a coworker/acquaintance. Amazingly, this event leads to Yvonne being on trial for murder.
The court case is described fantastically, with plenty of detail about all the little things that really set the scene. The narrative throughout the book is also fantastic - it really has the 'feel' of a middle-aged woman. 3.5 stars.
The narrative of this book is quite unique, being recalled as an account from the past. Yvonne, the narrator, often refers to "now" and unknown events that have yet to take place in the story. This definitely builds the suspense a lot.
Yvonne takes us through the development of her extramarrital relationship with the unknown "you" (or "X" as she refers to him in her letters). Later, we will learn the identity of Yvonne's lover, but throughout the book we are given only speculations about his life that Yvonne theorises to be accurate.
This affair is, I suppose, both shocking and familiar at the same time. Yvonne is a successful, loved wife and mother with a safe home and good career. She loves her husband and her children. Her affair is, in this respect, unexpected and outrageous. But at the same time, as Yvonne summarises at the end of the novel, her "one-off" offence falls perfectly into the typical category of people like her. People who do not cheat on their partners because they don't love them. Unline "you", who cheats repeatedly for the excitement of it.
Most of the book is dedicated to the devlopment of the relationship, with other details of Yvonne's life and comments about the present included here and there. Yvonne is eventually sexually assaulted by a coworker/acquaintance. Amazingly, this event leads to Yvonne being on trial for murder.
The court case is described fantastically, with plenty of detail about all the little things that really set the scene. The narrative throughout the book is also fantastic - it really has the 'feel' of a middle-aged woman. 3.5 stars.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Ghost Stories (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Arch skeptic Professor Phillip Goodman embarks upon a terror-filled quest when he stumbles across a long-lost file containing details of three cases of inexplicable 'hauntings'.
Well... when it says the brain sees what it wants to see that really is true. My brain saw a film with some potential in it, but ultimately for me, disappointing.
Like A Quiet Place I hadn't been convinced I wanted to see it. But out of the two this one had looked less worrying from the trailers, and I like supernatural things so I double billed again to see this one.
The audience was about 50/50... those who were screaming and those that were laughing. I was surprisingly in the latter category. There were several amusing bits, and I particularly enjoyed the Sooty and Sweep moment and the car scene, Alex Lawther got some very good parts.
I'm left wondering why film makers like to use pieces designed to make people physically jump. There were plenty of things in the film that would have a more chilling effect, but Ghost Stories seemed littered with a lot of the jumpy moments, most of which were obvious in their appearances.
I might have been able to let that go if it hadn't been for one thing... the ending. I don't think I've been that annoyed with an ending since Lost. Even the cheesiness of A Quiet Place's ending was forgotten. Some many things in the film were right there to be explored in more depth but were ignored for what I was hoping to be a startling ending to make up for incomplete stories... there was no satisfying ending here for me. A twisted set of tales that were cut short. In an effort to add more suspense and expectation? Who knows.
Well... when it says the brain sees what it wants to see that really is true. My brain saw a film with some potential in it, but ultimately for me, disappointing.
Like A Quiet Place I hadn't been convinced I wanted to see it. But out of the two this one had looked less worrying from the trailers, and I like supernatural things so I double billed again to see this one.
The audience was about 50/50... those who were screaming and those that were laughing. I was surprisingly in the latter category. There were several amusing bits, and I particularly enjoyed the Sooty and Sweep moment and the car scene, Alex Lawther got some very good parts.
I'm left wondering why film makers like to use pieces designed to make people physically jump. There were plenty of things in the film that would have a more chilling effect, but Ghost Stories seemed littered with a lot of the jumpy moments, most of which were obvious in their appearances.
I might have been able to let that go if it hadn't been for one thing... the ending. I don't think I've been that annoyed with an ending since Lost. Even the cheesiness of A Quiet Place's ending was forgotten. Some many things in the film were right there to be explored in more depth but were ignored for what I was hoping to be a startling ending to make up for incomplete stories... there was no satisfying ending here for me. A twisted set of tales that were cut short. In an effort to add more suspense and expectation? Who knows.
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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Aug 11, 2020 (Updated Aug 11, 2020)
Spawn, Kick Ass and Don't Die
Shazam!- is the PG-13 verison of Kick Ass, Deadpool and Spawn. Mix all those movies together and you get Shazam!. A movie that has comedy, dark humor, action, suspense and viloence. In the end its trying way to hard to be the PG-13 verisons of Kick Ass. Deadpool and Spawn and in the end it just doesnt work. Its a good superhero movie, i give it that but it drags on for way to long than its supost to. Their are to many here's the end moments but nope its still going. What feels like the end its not, and goes on.
The plot: We all have a superhero inside of us -- it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In 14-year-old Billy Batson's case, all he needs to do is shout out one word to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. Still a kid at heart, Shazam revels in the new version of himself by doing what any other teen would do -- have fun while testing out his newfound powers. But he'll need to master them quickly before the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana can get his hands on Shazam's magical abilities.
Also you got the main actor who is not buff at all and put him into a buff suit, that also ruined the movie. It just makes him look buff but in reality he is not.
The comedy/humor is all over the place. It can be funny, serious or dark or even all three at the same time.
I give it this it is better then Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman and Suicide Sqaud. I think Aquaman and Wonder Woman are better though.
Shazam! is a decent movie, its just all of the place and doesnt know what it wants to be.
The plot: We all have a superhero inside of us -- it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In 14-year-old Billy Batson's case, all he needs to do is shout out one word to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. Still a kid at heart, Shazam revels in the new version of himself by doing what any other teen would do -- have fun while testing out his newfound powers. But he'll need to master them quickly before the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana can get his hands on Shazam's magical abilities.
Also you got the main actor who is not buff at all and put him into a buff suit, that also ruined the movie. It just makes him look buff but in reality he is not.
The comedy/humor is all over the place. It can be funny, serious or dark or even all three at the same time.
I give it this it is better then Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman and Suicide Sqaud. I think Aquaman and Wonder Woman are better though.
Shazam! is a decent movie, its just all of the place and doesnt know what it wants to be.