Search

Search only in certain items:

All That is Hidden
All That is Hidden
Rhys Bowen, Clare Broyles | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Politics Turns Molly’s World Upside Down
Molly is shocked when her husband, Daniel, announces that he has quit his job with the New York City police department to run for New York Sheriff on the Tammany Hall ticket. Knowing how much Daniel hates bribes, she can’t believe it, but he tells her to trust him. Along with this change, they are moving into a house of Fifth Avenue, which also doesn’t make Molly happy. As she tries to adjust to her new life, she finds that something is going on beneath the surface. Then a murder takes place. Can Molly figure out what is going on?

It's always a delight to visit Molly in 1900’s New York City. The time and place come expertly to life as we watch her try to figure out exactly what is happening. As is often the case in this series, it takes a little while for the story to truly begin, but once it does, we are treated to an interesting mystery. One part of the ending was a little abrupt, but that’s a minor complaint. I’m happy to say I liked Daniel here overall, which isn’t always the case, and the rest of the regulars were their charming selves. I also liked most of the suspects, which made solving the murder that much more interesting. Fans old and new will lose themselves in Molly’s latest case.
  
AM
A magic steeped in poison
Judy I lin | 2022
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Title: A Magic Steeped in Poison
Author: Judy I Lin

I love the cover it's so pretty. It's so sad the main characters sister is dying and if she wins the contest saving her sister would be a good prize like she wants. The fact she accidentally poisoned her and her mom must be hard to live with. I loved the quote that explained their beliefs in death: "Three souls contained within each of us separated from our bodies when we die. One returning to Earth, one to the air, and the final soul descending into the wheel of life." It's a nice way of putting how death works around this point is where I got hooked on the book. When she sold her only memory of her mom she had left in Nánjiāng was very sad. I agree with the makers of the game that they had to take a test to be let into the competition it'll help keep the cheaters out. I also loved how they gave them a price limit for the tea ingredients so make it more fair. The boy she met while shopping for ingredients my gut said don't trust him but later on he helped save the Princess from an assassin attempt. I don't want to go into more detail so I don't spoil the rest of the story for others but all around I loved this book and I would 100% reread it.
  
Sightless (2020)
Sightless (2020)
2020 | Thriller
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The movie instantly shows a blind woman making her way to the balcony of an apartment, climbing over and jumping to her death........ Rewind to a month earlier and she's waking up in hospital after an attack which has left her blind.

She is soon able to move into a blind friendly apartment organised by her brother, she also has someone to come in every day to help her adjust to her new life.

She starts to hear concerning voices and cries for help coming from her neighbour, she invites her over to speak but the woman behaves weirdly, she's shaken, scarred and tells Ellen not to trust anyone. Ellen phones the police about this but they brush it off saying the woman is well known for lying, and when Ellen is attacked by an intruder, the police once again shrug it off. Ellen soon realises something is off and she sets out trying to find out the truth.

Whilst this movie started off good, the more it went on the more it confused me. Though I did quickly realise that we see the movie from Ellen's perception. The movie doesn't have a huge cast, but they do do a very good job, especially the woman playing Ellen. However, with half an hour to go I lost interest as the movie started to get silly and more confusing. Such a shame really.
  
Searching (Dragons of New York, #1)
Searching (Dragons of New York, #1)
Rachel Graves | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SEARCHING is the first book in the Dragons of New York series and is first and foremost a mystery. Bloodless bodies are showing up and Ravenna Drake is linked to each scene by a piece of thread, an email, her name. Ian Chen wants to trust her but until he knows she's not a suspect, he won't do anything.

Told from both Ian and Ravenna's perspectives, it takes you into the story, giving you details about both their lives prior to them meeting. It also tells you how the case is moving along, what they have found, and what still needs answering. Whether you get those answers is another story.

The world-building was descriptive, giving clear examples of prejudice and how living in a world where magic exists might not be accepted by everyone. The pacing is smooth, and the story flows to its natural conclusion. There is a HFN ending with the case unsolved so I am presuming their story will continue on in the next book.

A good start to a series that will leave you with questions unanswered. If you like paranormal mysteries, then I can definitely recommend this one.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
40x40

Merissa (12897 KP) rated Chozen Part Two (Headspace #2) in Books

Jan 28, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)  
Chozen Part Two (Headspace #2)
Chozen Part Two (Headspace #2)
JP Sayle, J. Paton | 2021 | Crime, Horror, LGBTQ+, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHOZEN: PART TWO continues with the story, and it is just as dark and horrible as the first one, if not more so. My heart broke in the first chapter, and I don't think it ever recovered.

This was still told from different perspectives but, for some reason, it didn't feel as manic as before, so I was able to get a good grip on who was speaking and the experiences they had dealt with or were dealing with. You still have no idea who to trust though!

The story comes together slowly, giving you snippets of information as you go along. I will say that I was completely enthralled in this dark, horrific world, and couldn't put it down. The rescue was just the beginning, and even that wasn't without tragedy.

And that ending... perfect. That's all I'm saying.

This is a horrible, horrific book and I thank J. Paton for writing it. Stories such as these do not glamorise anything and unfortunately, the truth behind them can be darker still.

I would recommend this book but only if your mind, stomach, and heart can take it. It really is DARK so please be warned.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 28, 2022
  
40x40

Merissa (12897 KP) rated Beautiful Mistakes (Second Chances #3) in Books

Aug 25, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Beautiful Mistakes (Second Chances #3)
Beautiful Mistakes (Second Chances #3)
Felice Stevens | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BEAUTIFUL MISTAKES is the third book in the Second Chances series and we finally get all the details on the two squabbling children who have made their feelings towards each other known in the previous two stories!

We all know it's a case of forbidden attraction between Wolf and Spencer, but here, we actually find out their childhood backstories as well more recent happenings between them.

Now, Spencer hasn't been my favourite 'friend' in this series, but I was pleasantly surprised by how relatable he is in this. He and Wolf have similar backgrounds in some ways, but whereas one goes one way, the other goes another. Make sense? It will do, trust me.

This is a slow burn - after all, it's been years since they were at college together - but hold onto your hats, because when it gets on, IT GETS ON!!!

A great ending to the series with an added bonus scene (if you can get it - my Paperwhite didn't like it for some reason, so I can't comment on specifics). A fun read with lots of emotions covering a multitude of events, this is absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 25, 2021