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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Innocent Girl (Hanlon Series #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2021
Having started this straight after reading the first in the series, "The Stolen Child", I had a feeling I was in for a treat and I wasn't disappointed however, I don't think it's as good or as exciting as the first but it would have taken an absolute genius to better that. You don't have to have read the first but I think it really would help as otherwise you miss out on the back story and explanations around certain characters and their motivations.
Here we have another great story starring the tough and uncompromising Detective Hanlon who we find has been promoted to DCI but this hasn't curbed her gung-ho style as she goes undercover to try and find a killer. The story moves at a pretty good and steady pace; there is a lot of action and tension which ramps up towards the end. I wasn't surprised by the "twist" as I had already guessed who the killer was but I did enjoy how it got there.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I am all set to read the 3rd instalment, The Missing Husband.
Thanks once again to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Here we have another great story starring the tough and uncompromising Detective Hanlon who we find has been promoted to DCI but this hasn't curbed her gung-ho style as she goes undercover to try and find a killer. The story moves at a pretty good and steady pace; there is a lot of action and tension which ramps up towards the end. I wasn't surprised by the "twist" as I had already guessed who the killer was but I did enjoy how it got there.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I am all set to read the 3rd instalment, The Missing Husband.
Thanks once again to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Darren Fisher (2454 KP) rated Siege (1982) in Movies
Dec 13, 2020 (Updated Dec 13, 2020)
Overlooked excellent grindhouse thriller.
I rented this out a lot back in the 80s. This film needs an official re-release desperately (remains only available on VHS and Laserdisc).
Siege motors along at a fast pace, no lulls, just scene upon scene of intense cat and mouse between a gang of murderous thugs and a group of people (in what looks like the most rundown and scuzziest building ever) who take in a survivor from the gangs previous assault. Shades of John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 and a cheeky wink towards Escape From New York, the gang take on more than they bargain for when the ever resourceful victims strike back. Solid acting all round and a sucker punch of a twist at the end. This is a must see! Essential grindhouse viewing!
Trivia:
1# It contains the only existing news footage of the actual 1981 Halifax Police strike.
2# Aka Self Defense (USA), Night Warriors (Europe), New York 1991 (Various countries). Seige was the UK title.
3# The Japanese release has a further 7 minutes of extra 'day-time' footage. Although this is interesting it doesn't really add anything to the final cut. Personally I prefer the 'night-time' version as it evokes more menace and gets straight to the point.
Siege motors along at a fast pace, no lulls, just scene upon scene of intense cat and mouse between a gang of murderous thugs and a group of people (in what looks like the most rundown and scuzziest building ever) who take in a survivor from the gangs previous assault. Shades of John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 and a cheeky wink towards Escape From New York, the gang take on more than they bargain for when the ever resourceful victims strike back. Solid acting all round and a sucker punch of a twist at the end. This is a must see! Essential grindhouse viewing!
Trivia:
1# It contains the only existing news footage of the actual 1981 Halifax Police strike.
2# Aka Self Defense (USA), Night Warriors (Europe), New York 1991 (Various countries). Seige was the UK title.
3# The Japanese release has a further 7 minutes of extra 'day-time' footage. Although this is interesting it doesn't really add anything to the final cut. Personally I prefer the 'night-time' version as it evokes more menace and gets straight to the point.
Alana (9 KP) rated Reflection in Books
Jun 26, 2019
Well written and planned out (1 more)
Original concept
A true twist on a classic!
Contains spoilers, click to show
A fantastic original concept created using a classic well loved Disney character Mulan.
Title is clever, referring to character growth throughout Mulans journey and a part of the book where she must face the chamber of mirrors in order to complete her challenge and save Shang from moving on before he is ready.
This original concept fits well with character which is not easy to do when using characters who are household names and often remind us of our childhood watching Disney classics but it is a risk that has played off.
There is little to critique but I do however believe that there should have been a chapter written exploring Mulan returning home to her family after the war, seeing if she was correct in the chamber of mirrors about her father and mothers reactions to her running off to war as this could differ greatly from the classic plot, I personally would have loved to see grandmother Fa's reaction to Mulans trip to the underworld or at the very least mushu's reaction- as this would have extended the plot leaving a more well rounded ending.
Title is clever, referring to character growth throughout Mulans journey and a part of the book where she must face the chamber of mirrors in order to complete her challenge and save Shang from moving on before he is ready.
This original concept fits well with character which is not easy to do when using characters who are household names and often remind us of our childhood watching Disney classics but it is a risk that has played off.
There is little to critique but I do however believe that there should have been a chapter written exploring Mulan returning home to her family after the war, seeing if she was correct in the chamber of mirrors about her father and mothers reactions to her running off to war as this could differ greatly from the classic plot, I personally would have loved to see grandmother Fa's reaction to Mulans trip to the underworld or at the very least mushu's reaction- as this would have extended the plot leaving a more well rounded ending.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Kraken Wakes in Books
Sep 5, 2019 (Updated Sep 13, 2019)
Wyndham's second catastrophe novel isn't up to the same standard as Day of the Triffids, but is still a solidly crafted and (perhaps) eerily prophetic read. Aliens colonise the Earth and begin trying to displace the human inhabitants - but the twist is that they live somewhere almost totally inaccessible to human beings (at the bottom of oceanic trenches) which makes them rather difficult to strike back at.
Despite Wyndham's very reserved style, it's difficult to read The Kraken Wakes now and not interpret it as a novel about climate change: there is the predictable inability to agree on what to do about the crisis to begin with (many key players refuse to admit there is even a problem) and when the invaders make their final move (they melt the icecaps, causing rises in sea level and widespread flooding) the response of world governments leaves a lot to be desired. Many vivid sequences; the tone feels peculiarly light in parts, but the final third of the book is very powerful (though let down a bit by a somewhat bungled conclusion - the original, considerably more accomplished but much darker ending was changed at a late stage). Not one of Wyndham's strongest novels, but still one many authors would have been proud to write.
Despite Wyndham's very reserved style, it's difficult to read The Kraken Wakes now and not interpret it as a novel about climate change: there is the predictable inability to agree on what to do about the crisis to begin with (many key players refuse to admit there is even a problem) and when the invaders make their final move (they melt the icecaps, causing rises in sea level and widespread flooding) the response of world governments leaves a lot to be desired. Many vivid sequences; the tone feels peculiarly light in parts, but the final third of the book is very powerful (though let down a bit by a somewhat bungled conclusion - the original, considerably more accomplished but much darker ending was changed at a late stage). Not one of Wyndham's strongest novels, but still one many authors would have been proud to write.
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The title describes the book
I loved this book. It is one of the best crime books I have read. The title was relevant as this book had so many twist and turns. The last one was definitely the best and I did not see it coming.
I was gripped to this book and really could not put this down. I had to see what happened next. Some of the things I guessed but this was at the end. I couldn't of guessed the twists through the beginning and middle part of the book.
The whole book went together so well. I was surprised at how many people had been killed by the 'killer'.
I felt so many different emotions when reading this book - shock, surprise, fearful, gripped.
My feelings towards some of the characters changed throughout the book which is usual in crime books.
I couldn't find fault with the story or writing on the book.
This isn't like any book I have read before which is always good.
The blurb was so short it gave nothing away but this matched the book 100%.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a crime book.
I was gripped to this book and really could not put this down. I had to see what happened next. Some of the things I guessed but this was at the end. I couldn't of guessed the twists through the beginning and middle part of the book.
The whole book went together so well. I was surprised at how many people had been killed by the 'killer'.
I felt so many different emotions when reading this book - shock, surprise, fearful, gripped.
My feelings towards some of the characters changed throughout the book which is usual in crime books.
I couldn't find fault with the story or writing on the book.
This isn't like any book I have read before which is always good.
The blurb was so short it gave nothing away but this matched the book 100%.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a crime book.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Fourth Monkey (4MK Thriller, #1) in Books
May 3, 2020
Two days to save her . . .
For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.
One day . . .
As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows that even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.
Zero.
With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out as the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.
I actually found this quite chilling! It was very well written especially the diary chapters! I honestly didn’t see that twist coming! I kept swapping my rating from a 4 to a 3 and vide versa as I’m not sure where I wanted it to go! I really enjoy J D Barker and look forward to the next book!
For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.
One day . . .
As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows that even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.
Zero.
With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out as the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.
I actually found this quite chilling! It was very well written especially the diary chapters! I honestly didn’t see that twist coming! I kept swapping my rating from a 4 to a 3 and vide versa as I’m not sure where I wanted it to go! I really enjoy J D Barker and look forward to the next book!
The Secret (2018)
3.0
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Drawing from The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, The Secret film aims to craft a story around the core...
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