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The Deception
The Deception
Gillian Jackson | 2022 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was an enjoyable read, if not at times a little predictable with what was going to happen. But even so, when I did guess something, I did second guess myself until it actually happened.
Samantha and her twin sister Alison have been through a lot together, first their parents die in a terrible accident then their grandmother dies, all before they go to university. At university Samantha meets a boyfriend who she enjoys spending time with until she starts seeing red flags in their relationship. She breaks up with him only to discover he is dating her twin sister. It ends with Alison being murdered and the boyfriend being murdered in prison. Samantha then decides she needs a new start and moves away and changes her name.
The book then moves on around 10 years and we find out what Samantha has been up to, she has changed her name to Rosie, married and had a baby. She has neglected to tell her husband her past, but all of that changes when she gets a letter from one of the journalists from 10 years previously. The journalist is then murdered and the police start pointing the finger at her and her husband.
While it was enjoyable, the police parts didn’t seem to add up as they jumped to a conclusion before looking at all the evidence, including the autopsy report which wasn’t rushed through like the rest of the evidence. This didn’t ring true for me, why would all of the evidence from the house be rushed through but not the autopsy when that tells you so much about the death and how the person was murdered? Just little parts of the story niggled at me, which did stop me from enjoying it as much as I could.
I also guessed who was involved from as soon as they entered the story, although I didn’t know how they were connected but I did know that they had the trust fund money and it was only at the end when it was revealed their true identity I could see how they ended up with the trust fund.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books and Gillian Jackson for my copy of this book to read and review.
  
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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder in Podcasts

Jan 5, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)  
Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder
Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder
News & Politics
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
A hideous look into the British justice system
Very rarely do we such corruption on a grand scale in the UK, and yet the murder case of Daniel Morgan seems to be symbolic of this. Even after more than 30 years, the case remains 'unsolved', mainly due to underhand deals and lack of fervour to prosecute those responsible.

From corrupt police officers, phone hacking, and eventually murder, Morgan was a private investigator looking into bribery of police officers, some by journalists in the 1980's. For those aware of the phone hacking scandal, it seemed to only get traction and recognition in the last ten years, yet was apparent two decades prior to this. Morgan was found bludgeoned to death in his car, and since then his family have found ample evidence to show widespread cover-ups, and a botched investigation in order to keep the crime underwraps.

Journalist Peter Jukes alongside family members created this podcast to expose the truly horrifying scale of this issue. It is another well-made, engrossing, albeit cautionary tale about how much we can trust our institutions and how much they prop each other up for support. Worth the listen.
  
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Ally (3 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books

Jun 27, 2017  
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas | 2012 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.7 (91 Ratings)
Book Rating
Storyline (2 more)
Character development
Well written
Pronunciation (0 more)
Well written and compelling
Without giving spoilers on the story, this is a well crafted tale of a young girl, arrogant and skilled who is more than how she is initially portrayed. As the book continues I found myself becoming well attached to characters, and Sarah J. Mass did what all writers aspire to do, which is make the reader NEED to know what happens next. This book weaves action, romance, friendship, trust, fantasy and deception throughout and I admit I didn't have to think twice before instantly purchasing the next book of the series once I had quickly finished Throne of Glass. All in all, an enjoyable experience, and one I hope to continue throughout the series.

To explain my negative comment above, it was only when I purchased the second book and on browsing the contents page, that I found a pronunciation guide. I had been imagining different ways of saying certain names and had to re imagine them when beginning the next book. A guide, such as the one found in the second, would have been useful in Throne of Glass.
  
The Probability of Miracles
The Probability of Miracles
Wendy Wunder | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you read a lot of books like I do, you know by now that you can't always trust what the back cover says. Someone comes up with a way to make even the crappiest book seem like it is the most well written, entertaining piece of literature you'll ever see. Well...I can happily say that the back cover of Wendy Wunder's book does not lie, especially the part that says, "...will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn on the page."
This book tells the story of Campbell, a 16 year old dying from cancer. Her mom, in one last effort to save her life, decides to move the family the family to Promise, Maine. A town that is said to produce miracles by the truck load. The book follows Cam through her journey in Promise and lets the reader watch her slowly realize that miracles can and do happen, even if they aren't the miracle you came looking for.
I won an ARC of this book on First Reads and am I ever glad I did! I will be sure to suggest it to anyone who is willing to listen!
  
The Confession Tapes - Season 1
The Confession Tapes - Season 1
2017 | Crime, Documentary
Brilliantly executed and produced (0 more)
Having to wait for another series (0 more)
Traumatic watch, another brilliant true crime series
I have to say I was deeply traumatised watching this astounding yet disturbing series on confessions. Netflix have showcased another incredible documentary series about police misconduct and failings of the judicial process in these six cases.

Like Making A Murderer, it is well produced and directed leaving only the voices of those involved in these cases within the documentaries. However, it looks at one case per 45 minute episode bar the first episode which is spread across two. And it's relentless. Police techniques in questioning the accused range from psychological torture to even what appears to be hypnosis.

The cases itself are horrific. From confessing to the murder of your family, and your children, to brutal murders that led to an entire neighbourhood in Washington DC to break apart after convicting nine innocent teenagers. And no other leads are followed, and it's all based on circumstantial evidence. It makes you really question if you can trust the system. Watch it with caution as it can be harrowing.
  
John Macarthur has gone through meticulous study and research to uncover a truth about our relationship with Christ to a degree we have not exhausted as thoroughly as we should. Because of words being translated differently, we have lost a dynamic of that beautiful relationship: Now Macarthur has explained what it truly should look like.

Reading Slave has been truly convicting and enlightening. It gave me a whole new perspective on my relationship with Christ, and a fresh sense of peace. Christ is our Master and we are His slaves, and by explaining the culture and the true definition of the words that were originally written, we see salvation in a new light.

Not only was it engaging and convicting, it was easy to read. I've gotten Christian books that felt like I was reading college text books. And trust me when I say I don't like college text books—I have a bunch of them and I avoid them at all costs. But MacArthur's writing was clear and concise yet thoroughly explained and can be easily understood by a wide range of readers.
  
TW
The Watch on the Fencepost
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A WATCH THAT REVEALS MORE THAN JUST THE TIME . . . A mysterious gold watch propels 27-year-old Kathryn Frasier into a quest to prove her parents’ recent deaths were not an accident. Following a trail of cryptic clues, she encounters a remarkable cast of characters, including an actress with a talent for disguises, a politician with a dark secret, and a handsome businessman who shows a sudden romantic interest in Kathryn. Can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?



My Thoughts: This is an excellent mystery that not only keeps the readers' interest but actually keeps them glued to the book. The amusing idea of the hunt for clues was fun for myself and I believe other readers will enjoy that also.



The readers will fall in love with the characters Kathryn and Cece, since they both have interesting personalities that the readers will enjoy.





This was a charming read a story of a young woman losing her parents, but gaining so much more as she learns to trust God and the people around her.



A great read for anyone, especially those who love a good mystery with a smidge of romance added in.
  
TS
The Secret, Book, & Scone Society
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mrs. Ellery Adams did it again. Her unique writing has transported us to Miracle Springs, North Carolina. In this unique little village, we get to meet a group of flawed women Nora, Hester, June and Estella, who together form a unique group Secret, Book and Scone Society. With this group, the women find companionship, trust, and friendship and solve a crime or two. In this unique group of women, you will find a little of yourself. Mrs. Adams has brought us another best-selling series. Being a fan of Mrs. Adams other series I was excited about to read her new book and I was blown away. Her writing and storyline are not to be missed. I am excited to see where the Miracle Springs Series goes from here as the ladies grow in their friendship and how they are open to being real and sharing their secrets while solving others hidden secrets to help the ladies heal and a few visitors. Well worth the time to read once, twice or a few more. Learning that is never too late to turn the page and start over... with a comfort scone or two.
  
He's Captured My Heart
He's Captured My Heart
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
He caught my heart is more of a romance story than anything. It mainly about Libby Stewart. Her dad had a client come in and is to show her around.

Alex comes with his friend and business partner. This friend name is Michael. There quite a few things going on as you turn the pages of the book. Though Libby and Alex have a little trouble keeping from being a part.

Though the story starts out about Libby brother Ethan and his struggles to raising his daughter. There seems to be a story of romance. We see a villain in the story that use to be Libby boyfriend. Libby is trying to heal from a broken heart. Alex seems to have other plans for her.

She is attacked by her ex-boyfriend. What will happen to them? Will Libby trust the stranger or will she let him go? I advise this book for though that really like romance but also watch with the age you allow your children to read. For it really has some sexual acts and has some scenes where they are nude together. I suggest the of age 18 and up is best for this book.