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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Secrets of a Scottish Isle in Books
Mar 28, 2024 (Updated Mar 28, 2024)
Undercover in the Occult
Jane Wunderly is on the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scottland. She’s joined the Golden Dawn, going under cover in an attempt to learn if their leader would be a good asset for the organization she and her fiancé, Redvers, works for. But Jane has just barely joined the group when she finds the body of another female member on the moors. Jane is driven to get justice for the victim. But what exactly happened to her? And what about Jane’s official investigation?
As a fan of the series, I was delighted to spend time with Jane and Redvers again. They are a great pair. We get plenty of new characters, and they are well developed, too. Sadly, the plot was uneven, with Jane spending lots of time contemplating what was happening in between the twists. This led to an abrupt but logical climax. The writing brought Iona in March to life, and it made me shiver as I read. It’s fun to see a poet from 1927 show up in the book, and be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to see where she got the inspiration for the tale. Fans of the series will enjoy Jane’s latest adventure.
As a fan of the series, I was delighted to spend time with Jane and Redvers again. They are a great pair. We get plenty of new characters, and they are well developed, too. Sadly, the plot was uneven, with Jane spending lots of time contemplating what was happening in between the twists. This led to an abrupt but logical climax. The writing brought Iona in March to life, and it made me shiver as I read. It’s fun to see a poet from 1927 show up in the book, and be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to see where she got the inspiration for the tale. Fans of the series will enjoy Jane’s latest adventure.
Alex Kapranos recommended 1962–1966 by The Beatles in Music (curated)
Good concept (1 more)
Some interesting imagery/analogies
Lack of character development (2 more)
Slow build up with a sudden ending that feels rushed
Attempts to make socio-political commentary with disjointed (and again rushed) narrative
Underwhelming drama/mystery with the backdrop of a cult
It took me a while to get into the book itself, it wasn't a page turner and was very easy to get distracted. About a third to a midway through, it started to pick up pace and I became embroiled in the narrative of a young girl's induction into a full-blown cult, the crime they commit and her reflection on this as an adult. This momentum carried nicely for a while, until nearing the end where the narrative and characters suddenly seemed to become disjointed and it appears the author suddenly decided to turn fractions of what has previously been mentioned into an overall statement which I found to be a little ridiculous. The concept was seriously intriguing (the experience of drifting in and out of cult life) so it's a shame it wasn't followed through with confidence.
Apocalyptic Social Media!
A book set slightly in the future, this tells the story of how social media has developed to such an extent that everyone is now directly linked to the internet. Everything is fed to them, so that they no longer have to learn to do anything for themselves. Something goes wrong however: something of apocalyptic proportions. People are Taken, and their feed is invaded. This can happen when they sleep, so no one sleeps alone. This follows Tom, Kate, their daughter Bea, and the people that they try to start a new life with on a small holding after the Collapse.
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!
Celia Davies spends her days helping the women of 1867 San Francisco via her free medical clinic. One of her patients, a former Chinese prostitute is found murdered, and Celia must know what happened to her. Meanwhile, Nicholas Greaves is the police officer assigned to the case, and he is determined to get justice for the young woman. But where will the investigation lead?
This is a good debut that will please any fan of historical mysteries. The characters are intriguing, and their history makes them seem even more real. The plot did bog down a few times, but never for very long, and we reach a logical conclusion before the end. The world of 1867 is brought to wonderful life as well, and it’s easy to get lost in another time.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-no-comfort-for-lost-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a good debut that will please any fan of historical mysteries. The characters are intriguing, and their history makes them seem even more real. The plot did bog down a few times, but never for very long, and we reach a logical conclusion before the end. The world of 1867 is brought to wonderful life as well, and it’s easy to get lost in another time.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-no-comfort-for-lost-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Lord of the Flies in Books
Aug 14, 2018
Not sure how this became a classic.
My school never required me to read this so I just never got around to it until a few years ago and I have to say I was not a fan. I found the entire book boring the characters terrible or writing wasn't really that great either, for the life of me I really cannot figure out how this book has made it into being a classic and it's still extremely popular. The whole idea of the book is really good but just the execution I found terrible I hated every single freaking character not even over exaggerating there.
I think if I would have been required to read this at a younger age like most people I may have liked it a lot more but reading it as an adult for the first time I feel really just spoil the whole thing for me plus you have to kind of be living under a rock and not to know what the books about and what happens in it.
I think if I would have been required to read this at a younger age like most people I may have liked it a lot more but reading it as an adult for the first time I feel really just spoil the whole thing for me plus you have to kind of be living under a rock and not to know what the books about and what happens in it.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated When the Morning Comes (Sisters of the Quilt, #2) in Books
Aug 30, 2018
When the Morning Comes is about a young girl in her Amish community. I can't remember the details of the story. I will give you what i can remember about it. I know it about Hannah Lapp. Does get what she wants or does she not.
She stays with her aunt for bit and ponders about going to live the englisher. It the Amish term for outsiders. Will she goes back with her fiance and her family she left behind. Doe her fiance love her or not? You would need to read the book to find out. I know it a sweet story.
You learn about how the Amish live and her why of life. I am fascinated by it myself, so that is why I enjoy reading book about the Amish and Amish fiction. Cindy Woodsmall does wonders for her books. She also does a good job with this one as well. It just been years since i read the book that I honestly can't remember much.
She stays with her aunt for bit and ponders about going to live the englisher. It the Amish term for outsiders. Will she goes back with her fiance and her family she left behind. Doe her fiance love her or not? You would need to read the book to find out. I know it a sweet story.
You learn about how the Amish live and her why of life. I am fascinated by it myself, so that is why I enjoy reading book about the Amish and Amish fiction. Cindy Woodsmall does wonders for her books. She also does a good job with this one as well. It just been years since i read the book that I honestly can't remember much.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Highland Hearts in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This book takes place in Scotland which I am sure is a massive surprise considering the title! Callum has a flat in Edinburgh, but goes to the Highlands to see the house that he has inherited from the grandfather he has never met, and now never will. Upon his arrival, he meets his next door neighbour and the spark between them is instantaneous.
With a hint of the supernatural about it, just enough to give Callum a nudge, this story is well-paced and thought out. It moves smoothly, giving the characters enough time to get to know each other even if they do go to bed together the first night - because no one ever does that in real life, right?!
This book simply ticked all my boxes. With excellent characters, whether you like them or not, a back story that completes the picture, romance, steam, supernatural, sadness, hope - it's all here. I loved every word and didn't want it to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
With a hint of the supernatural about it, just enough to give Callum a nudge, this story is well-paced and thought out. It moves smoothly, giving the characters enough time to get to know each other even if they do go to bed together the first night - because no one ever does that in real life, right?!
This book simply ticked all my boxes. With excellent characters, whether you like them or not, a back story that completes the picture, romance, steam, supernatural, sadness, hope - it's all here. I loved every word and didn't want it to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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