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Li Hughes (285 KP) rated Retribution (C.J. Townsend #1) in Books
Aug 6, 2017
The pros: This is a quick read that has some interesting legal theory and fairly smooth writing. Little of what's written would likely fly in the real world, but it's still interesting.
Cons: The plot is a mess of serial killer, legal eagle, Cuban, and rape case cliches. The rapist is a mysogonistic caricature who has so little control over himself that any personal setback should have landed him in jail years ago. ASA Townsend is strong and well-respected to the point of Mary Sue status, yet falling apart inside and seems to be discovering that having sex with the right man can help heal her trauma. (Blech.) No rape or murder is ever 'run of the mill', but these are Hannibal Lecter-esque in their brutality. There are multiple Hispanic/Latin characters and they are cocky, rude, gross, and have hilariously terrible fashion sense: none are likable. And there is a 'twist ending' out of nowhere just when you think the case is wrapped up.
In conclusion: If you're stuck without anything else to read, this isn't horrific. But I personally wouldn't recommend searching it out.
Cons: The plot is a mess of serial killer, legal eagle, Cuban, and rape case cliches. The rapist is a mysogonistic caricature who has so little control over himself that any personal setback should have landed him in jail years ago. ASA Townsend is strong and well-respected to the point of Mary Sue status, yet falling apart inside and seems to be discovering that having sex with the right man can help heal her trauma. (Blech.) No rape or murder is ever 'run of the mill', but these are Hannibal Lecter-esque in their brutality. There are multiple Hispanic/Latin characters and they are cocky, rude, gross, and have hilariously terrible fashion sense: none are likable. And there is a 'twist ending' out of nowhere just when you think the case is wrapped up.
In conclusion: If you're stuck without anything else to read, this isn't horrific. But I personally wouldn't recommend searching it out.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Death Never Sleeps in Books
Sep 6, 2017
This is a really good book. It has all kinds of twist and turns. I enjoyed the fact that it has an element of mystery in the book. It has murders in it. It also has some adventures. How can a dead person give answers and help out his own brother from the grave? Is Michael's brother Alex alive or dead? You get swept up with this question and so many more. Alex actually communicates with his brother. Michael wants to help solve the mystery of his older brother's murder.
Why does someone want Michael and his whole family dead? Why does this person want to have them all dead? Why did this person want Alex dead? Alex seems to be able to communicate with his brother and talk to him like he is alive? The plot is good. The places that Samantha and Michael visits start to get more enjoyable to read. The adventures starts to happen once they go on trips. Is death like that where you can be anywhere and communicate with family friends only if you are in a virtual world that could be connected to a world before technology and a world after technology?
Why does someone want Michael and his whole family dead? Why does this person want to have them all dead? Why did this person want Alex dead? Alex seems to be able to communicate with his brother and talk to him like he is alive? The plot is good. The places that Samantha and Michael visits start to get more enjoyable to read. The adventures starts to happen once they go on trips. Is death like that where you can be anywhere and communicate with family friends only if you are in a virtual world that could be connected to a world before technology and a world after technology?
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Grimm Woods in Books
Sep 7, 2017
Gimm Woods is a good book. It tells the story somewhat of the fairy tales. Counselors come to help with children that are coming for summer camp. There are few kids coming for some fun. You and many people and kids know what the fairy tales are like now.
In Grimm Woods, you will find out, what happens in some fairy tales. There are twist and turns and surprises throughout the book. I think it is a good book. What I like about it is it keeps you guessing who and why things are happening. There are crimes that happen throughout the book. Some counselors body shows up.
There is a dark ending to the children stories that you once thought you knew. I was surprised by this when two counselors put on a play for summer camp children. D. Melhoff does a good job on this book. I would though think that parents would take cautiously and only allow their children to read this book if they are 15 plus and older. I will let parents decide for themselves.
In Grimm Woods, you will find out, what happens in some fairy tales. There are twist and turns and surprises throughout the book. I think it is a good book. What I like about it is it keeps you guessing who and why things are happening. There are crimes that happen throughout the book. Some counselors body shows up.
There is a dark ending to the children stories that you once thought you knew. I was surprised by this when two counselors put on a play for summer camp children. D. Melhoff does a good job on this book. I would though think that parents would take cautiously and only allow their children to read this book if they are 15 plus and older. I will let parents decide for themselves.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Dead Man's Shoes (2006) in Movies
Feb 3, 2019
Brilliantly savage
Finally managed to get a hold of this after borrowing it on DVD from my brother, I’ve been wanting to watch it again for a long time and it’s still a fantastic hard hitting film.
This is a darkly savage and fairly brutal story of revenge that makes for a powerful watch. The plot is straight forward and simple, but it just goes to show that you don’t need a massive budget or fancy Hollywood effects to make an outstanding film. From the effective story telling (colour current day scenes vs black and white flashbacks), to a clever script, bleak, creepy and almost gruesome scenes and some great performances. Paddy Considine is a fantastic actor, and probably deserves a lot more accolades, and Toby Kebbell has an outstanding yet fairly small and moving breakthrough performance as Anthony. The final twist at the end too is one of the few film endings that has always stuck with me. And I will admit to having a bit of a soft spot for films that are set in or around my local area, and Derbyshire isn’t too far away....
This is a darkly savage and fairly brutal story of revenge that makes for a powerful watch. The plot is straight forward and simple, but it just goes to show that you don’t need a massive budget or fancy Hollywood effects to make an outstanding film. From the effective story telling (colour current day scenes vs black and white flashbacks), to a clever script, bleak, creepy and almost gruesome scenes and some great performances. Paddy Considine is a fantastic actor, and probably deserves a lot more accolades, and Toby Kebbell has an outstanding yet fairly small and moving breakthrough performance as Anthony. The final twist at the end too is one of the few film endings that has always stuck with me. And I will admit to having a bit of a soft spot for films that are set in or around my local area, and Derbyshire isn’t too far away....
Kaylin (39 KP) rated Don't Breathe (2016) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Stephen Lang is excellent as the old man (2 more)
Pretty decent acting throughout
Has a genuinely tense atmosphere
When's it's good, it's good...
Don't Breathe is an interesting case of a horror movie. It's a home invasion movie, but our main character is not the home owner, it's the people who have broken into the house.
Our main character's, Rocky, Alex, and Money, have made a living breaking into houses. They are able to accomplish this due to Alex's father having the codes to all the alarm systems. Rocky is trying to get her sister out of their abusive home and Money promises her a big payout from this blind old man's house. Rocky agrees to one last job but things do not go as planned.
Don't Breathe has a pretty solid premise and delivers on a lot of it's scares. My main problem would be the twist which I'm not going to spoil for you here, but I'll say it's pretty unbelievable and took a lot of enjoyment out of the movie for me. All and All I'd say give it a view.
Our main character's, Rocky, Alex, and Money, have made a living breaking into houses. They are able to accomplish this due to Alex's father having the codes to all the alarm systems. Rocky is trying to get her sister out of their abusive home and Money promises her a big payout from this blind old man's house. Rocky agrees to one last job but things do not go as planned.
Don't Breathe has a pretty solid premise and delivers on a lot of it's scares. My main problem would be the twist which I'm not going to spoil for you here, but I'll say it's pretty unbelievable and took a lot of enjoyment out of the movie for me. All and All I'd say give it a view.
Slow Burner
This series came highly recommended, but I didn't get into it straightaway. In all honesty, I failed to see what was so captivating about the object of the stalker's affections, Beck. She came across as vapid and irritating, and unable to take responsibility for herself.
If you are able to get past the annoying characters and suspend belief/overlook certain flaws, then it's actually a very good story, which is worth persevering with.
The story is told from the POV of the stalker, Joe, and we get a good insight into his reasoning and rationale, and watch how he twists situations and circumstances to his advantage.
I probably wouldn't have persevered after the first episode, mainly because I found Beck so annoying, but my husband was enjoying it so we carried on watching. I'm glad we did (although Beck doesn't get any less irritating, if I'm honest).
The twist in the final episode of the series was a real cliffhanger to end on; rather than loose ends being tied up, things are becoming more unravelled for Joe.
If you are able to get past the annoying characters and suspend belief/overlook certain flaws, then it's actually a very good story, which is worth persevering with.
The story is told from the POV of the stalker, Joe, and we get a good insight into his reasoning and rationale, and watch how he twists situations and circumstances to his advantage.
I probably wouldn't have persevered after the first episode, mainly because I found Beck so annoying, but my husband was enjoying it so we carried on watching. I'm glad we did (although Beck doesn't get any less irritating, if I'm honest).
The twist in the final episode of the series was a real cliffhanger to end on; rather than loose ends being tied up, things are becoming more unravelled for Joe.
Ashley Valencia (5 KP) rated Us (2019) in Movies
Apr 13, 2019
Jordan Peele is a very good storyteller. Much like Get Out, there is a message behind the story and the film is filled with easter eggs and some pretty amazing jokes. I laughed quite a bit throughout. The cast of this movie is amazing. Lupita Nyong'o does an exceptionally good job. The lead actor, whose name escapes me, was playing a character clearly modeled after Peele himself which just made him that much funnier. I kept wondering during the movie, having never seen the actor in anything else, if maybe they had grown up together or something because he sounds EXACTLY like Peele so I did some digging and found that it was a conscious acting decision which I applaud. It was a good choice and he played it so well. There is a twist ending, however, it seemed fairly obvious to me very early on in the film. My only real problem with the film is how much is left unexplained. It's understandable given how the story is being told but at the same time it's a bit frustrating when the film ends and you still have so many questions!
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins Short Story in Books
Jun 5, 2019
The Note is a short, fast, fun read written by Andrew Barrett, which features Eddie Collins a Crime Scene Investigator who has a few problems of his own to solve.
When Eddie discovers someone is out to kill him, he adds the death threats to the rest of his pile and sets out to avoid being killed. He has no idea who wants him dead, or when it will happen so he spends the next few hours cautious and paranoid wondering who his killer might be and when he will strike.
Andrew Barrett’s The Note is actually the first book featuring Eddie Collins and the first book I’ve read by this author. With a great plot, a fun, humorous writing style and a clever twist in the tale, I’m definitely intrigued to read more of this series: four of which are full length novels.
A short, sharp and surprising storyline, I literally flew through this book. I highly recommend to all crime fans! I want more!
With thanks to Bloodhound Books and Andrew Barrett for my digital copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book.
When Eddie discovers someone is out to kill him, he adds the death threats to the rest of his pile and sets out to avoid being killed. He has no idea who wants him dead, or when it will happen so he spends the next few hours cautious and paranoid wondering who his killer might be and when he will strike.
Andrew Barrett’s The Note is actually the first book featuring Eddie Collins and the first book I’ve read by this author. With a great plot, a fun, humorous writing style and a clever twist in the tale, I’m definitely intrigued to read more of this series: four of which are full length novels.
A short, sharp and surprising storyline, I literally flew through this book. I highly recommend to all crime fans! I want more!
With thanks to Bloodhound Books and Andrew Barrett for my digital copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book.
A Dark and Creepy Read
I'm basing this review on a re-read of this novel. I read this book originally about 7-8 years ago and thought I would re-read it now, to see if or how my opinions changed.
The things that stick out for me with this book, are the description and writing. It's a very well crafted piece of literature, which has realistic and believable characters. This book is not exactly centred on a plot as such, but focuses more on the psychology of the teenagers in the Hole and for that, it does that very well.
The pacing of the novel is really good. The drama and suspense within this novel slowly creeps up on you, as you read through this novel.
On my second reading, I did guess the majority of the twist which happens at the end, so I don't think it had as much impact on me as it did the first time I read this. However, the ending was satisfactory regardless.
If you like a dark read with twists and turns, then I would recommend this novel.
The things that stick out for me with this book, are the description and writing. It's a very well crafted piece of literature, which has realistic and believable characters. This book is not exactly centred on a plot as such, but focuses more on the psychology of the teenagers in the Hole and for that, it does that very well.
The pacing of the novel is really good. The drama and suspense within this novel slowly creeps up on you, as you read through this novel.
On my second reading, I did guess the majority of the twist which happens at the end, so I don't think it had as much impact on me as it did the first time I read this. However, the ending was satisfactory regardless.
If you like a dark read with twists and turns, then I would recommend this novel.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Bloodmoon (Bloodmark Saga, #3) in Books
Feb 8, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
We get to where we are in the final parts of Ashling Boru journey. It all starts once they arrive at the Rock. What does Verci want? Ashling can tell something is up and it just a waiting game. Ashling knows they need to save the humans?
Verci thinks he will win and bet Ashling and her pack? There are more surprises and twist as the story goes on. There is a war going on. Where is Vigdis at? Will Ashing be claimed or not? Does Ashling need to choose who will claim her at Carrowmore?
Ashling needs to save her guardian Baran from a family of evil wolves named the Dvergars. What will happen the Grey? There are some many things that go one and her pack helps Ashling until she can be claimed under Bloodmoon.
There is also a challenge that Ashling needs to do to find the triple Goddess, The mother, and the Crone. But for them to get save more than one person from the Realms. Will Ashling and several of her pack do that without Verci or Vigdis notice? You will need to find out how it ends.
Verci thinks he will win and bet Ashling and her pack? There are more surprises and twist as the story goes on. There is a war going on. Where is Vigdis at? Will Ashing be claimed or not? Does Ashling need to choose who will claim her at Carrowmore?
Ashling needs to save her guardian Baran from a family of evil wolves named the Dvergars. What will happen the Grey? There are some many things that go one and her pack helps Ashling until she can be claimed under Bloodmoon.
There is also a challenge that Ashling needs to do to find the triple Goddess, The mother, and the Crone. But for them to get save more than one person from the Realms. Will Ashling and several of her pack do that without Verci or Vigdis notice? You will need to find out how it ends.