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Merissa (12841 KP) rated The Cardinal's Whores in Books
Oct 16, 2018
The Cardinal's Whores by Adrienne Blake
The Cardinal's Whores is the first book by this author I have read, and with the intriguing mix of fact and fiction she twisted into this story, she is definitely one on my watch list.
Joan Larke is a young woman, living with her brother, and hopeful for a marriage to a noble. However, when her path brings her to the attention of Thomas Wolsley, her life takes a different route. We stay with Wolsley throughout most of this book, but also see things from other's perspectives. This story touches on actual figures and events from that period of history, and then puts the author's take on things to make them fit here.
This was a very well written story, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. The pacing was smooth, and the transition from one person's POV to the next was seamless. For those that like historical stories, something with a bit of steam, then I have no hesitation in recommending this one. Thoroughly enjoyable.
* 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!
Joan Larke is a young woman, living with her brother, and hopeful for a marriage to a noble. However, when her path brings her to the attention of Thomas Wolsley, her life takes a different route. We stay with Wolsley throughout most of this book, but also see things from other's perspectives. This story touches on actual figures and events from that period of history, and then puts the author's take on things to make them fit here.
This was a very well written story, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. The pacing was smooth, and the transition from one person's POV to the next was seamless. For those that like historical stories, something with a bit of steam, then I have no hesitation in recommending this one. Thoroughly enjoyable.
* 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!

Rache (174 KP) rated The Angel of Vine in Podcasts
Jan 12, 2019
Brilliant storyline (4 more)
True Crime inspired
Amazing cast
Glorious suspense
Truly Wonderful writing
Fantastic Fiction
As a fan of true crime podcasts, I have very few fiction podcasts in my favourites (mostly things like King Falls AM, for the wackiness) and I tend to avoid crime fiction, primarily because the real thing is better, crazier, and so much more twisted.
The Angel of Vine is a sublime fictional podcast, written to sound like true crime in the Noir tradition being retold in the modern podcast format. The podcast begins with the discovery of some old cassette tapes by the family of a deceased ex-cop turned private detective, and their choice to involve a podcaster/reporter to help them investigate the story enshrined in those cassettes.
Following the investigation into the murder of a young actress in Hollywood, the podcaster makes use of the recordings to tell Harry's story.
Voiced by some amazing talent (including the gorgeous growl of Joe Manganiello, the incomparable Alan Tudzyk, and the delightful Mischa Collins) the story is gripping, compelling, and extremely difficult to not binge.
For fans of true crime, crime drama, and any sort of Noir (Sam Spade eat your heart out), this is a podcast to listen to, save, and listen to again later.
The Angel of Vine is a sublime fictional podcast, written to sound like true crime in the Noir tradition being retold in the modern podcast format. The podcast begins with the discovery of some old cassette tapes by the family of a deceased ex-cop turned private detective, and their choice to involve a podcaster/reporter to help them investigate the story enshrined in those cassettes.
Following the investigation into the murder of a young actress in Hollywood, the podcaster makes use of the recordings to tell Harry's story.
Voiced by some amazing talent (including the gorgeous growl of Joe Manganiello, the incomparable Alan Tudzyk, and the delightful Mischa Collins) the story is gripping, compelling, and extremely difficult to not binge.
For fans of true crime, crime drama, and any sort of Noir (Sam Spade eat your heart out), this is a podcast to listen to, save, and listen to again later.

Merissa (12841 KP) rated Black Snow (Birds of a Feather #4) in Books
Dec 11, 2018
Black Snow (Birds of a Feather #4) by Lena North
Black Snow is the fourth book in the Birds of a Feather series, and we find out more about Snow, who featured in Jinx' book. She has her own story which she keeps hidden from the majority of people. It turns out that she is not the only one with secrets though, which she finds out to her cost. What should have been an easy assignment quickly turns into something much more.
I loved this book! Not only because of the characters I have grown to know and love throughout this series, but I was also introduced to some of the characters that feature in Seaborn, which was the book that introduced me to Lena North and made me (arm twisted behind my back, I tell you!) buy these.
I am thoroughly enjoying the overall story arc that flows from one book to the next, getting a bit more each time. I can't wait to see where it goes next. With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending this great story!
* Verified Purchase ~ July 2018. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I loved this book! Not only because of the characters I have grown to know and love throughout this series, but I was also introduced to some of the characters that feature in Seaborn, which was the book that introduced me to Lena North and made me (arm twisted behind my back, I tell you!) buy these.
I am thoroughly enjoying the overall story arc that flows from one book to the next, getting a bit more each time. I can't wait to see where it goes next. With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending this great story!
* Verified Purchase ~ July 2018. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Merissa (12841 KP) rated Quantico - Season 1 in TV
Jan 29, 2019
Quantico Season 1
I only found this when I was surfing Prime for something to watch, so I took a chance and I'm so very glad I did.
This is a twisted, intriguing story involving FBI trainees, or NATs as they are known. The timeline flashes between present and past in quite a stylised manner, but if you can get past that AND keep up with the when of what you're watching, then you are in for a treat.
I loved how this series kept you on your toes right to the very end. Every character is more than they first show, and it takes you through each of them, as you learn more about them and their lives.
If I had to say anything bad, it would be I got a bit bored between Ryan and Alex, and found it to be repetitive as the season moved on. This did NOT affect my overall enjoyment of it though, and I was still sat with my heart in my mouth for the grand finale. I also had a big box of kleenex as my eyes kept leaking, but I won't go into that!
I binge-watched this series, and loved all of it. Absolutely recommended by me!
This is a twisted, intriguing story involving FBI trainees, or NATs as they are known. The timeline flashes between present and past in quite a stylised manner, but if you can get past that AND keep up with the when of what you're watching, then you are in for a treat.
I loved how this series kept you on your toes right to the very end. Every character is more than they first show, and it takes you through each of them, as you learn more about them and their lives.
If I had to say anything bad, it would be I got a bit bored between Ryan and Alex, and found it to be repetitive as the season moved on. This did NOT affect my overall enjoyment of it though, and I was still sat with my heart in my mouth for the grand finale. I also had a big box of kleenex as my eyes kept leaking, but I won't go into that!
I binge-watched this series, and loved all of it. Absolutely recommended by me!

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Hellraiser (1987) in Movies
Jul 20, 2019
Portal to hell
Hellraiser- when i first saw it i thought what in the hell did i just watch. But overtime i still think what the hell did i just watch.
What clive barker does he brings you into his mind, what dark mind he has. He brings you into his world, his creepy world.
The plot: Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank's body apart. When Frank's brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank's old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.
Hellraiser introduces you to the cenobites, and their are creepy.
Its a very dark twisted movie. That is very underrated, but over time more people have seen it.
I would reccordmend hellraiser if you are a clive barker fan, want to know the cenobites and watch the other hellraiser movies. Yes this is the start of the hellraiser franchise.
What clive barker does he brings you into his mind, what dark mind he has. He brings you into his world, his creepy world.
The plot: Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank's body apart. When Frank's brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank's old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.
Hellraiser introduces you to the cenobites, and their are creepy.
Its a very dark twisted movie. That is very underrated, but over time more people have seen it.
I would reccordmend hellraiser if you are a clive barker fan, want to know the cenobites and watch the other hellraiser movies. Yes this is the start of the hellraiser franchise.

Ross (3284 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Nov 19, 2019
Phenomenal
Finally a film that does justice to one of the most twisted, yet relatable, villains out there. With the focus on his character, rather than that caped guy, we could really start to appreciate how such a villain could emerge.
In a Gotham very similar to today (government budget cuts, strain on mental health services, increasing divide between the rich and poor, and figures of power and responsibility showing no empathy for the downtrodden), Arthur Fleck is a man struggling to juggle (accidental circus pun) work, caring for his mother and his stand-up career. With a supposed tourettes-like condition where he spontaneously bursts out laughing at the most inappropriate times, Arthur is also finding it hard to find a place in society, and longs to be accepted, if not loved.
The film is an excellent example of how events can conspire to make someone vulnerable and repeatedly abandoned by society suddenly snap. And also how the downtrodden masses will take inspiration from an unlikely hero to rise up and take a stand for their own rights.
The film itself mirrors Arthur's moods, at times serene, at others whimsical with sudden moments of utter mad violence.
A very stylish and dark film, but with a quality story and cast to match.
In a Gotham very similar to today (government budget cuts, strain on mental health services, increasing divide between the rich and poor, and figures of power and responsibility showing no empathy for the downtrodden), Arthur Fleck is a man struggling to juggle (accidental circus pun) work, caring for his mother and his stand-up career. With a supposed tourettes-like condition where he spontaneously bursts out laughing at the most inappropriate times, Arthur is also finding it hard to find a place in society, and longs to be accepted, if not loved.
The film is an excellent example of how events can conspire to make someone vulnerable and repeatedly abandoned by society suddenly snap. And also how the downtrodden masses will take inspiration from an unlikely hero to rise up and take a stand for their own rights.
The film itself mirrors Arthur's moods, at times serene, at others whimsical with sudden moments of utter mad violence.
A very stylish and dark film, but with a quality story and cast to match.

Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Sea Witch Rising in Books
Aug 6, 2019
I was excited when this book came up. I like retellings of older stories and couldn't wait to get my claws into this. Evie, a sea witch, who has been villinaised by the sea king after a past that seems to be very similar to the tale of the little mermaid. Alia, a mermaid, in love with a human prince and has a deal to be human in exchange for true love's kiss. Runa, Alia's twin, goes topside to save her sister from her fate. I found it very difficult to get into, but I think this was maybe my fault as I had kept in mind that it was a The Little Mermaid twisted tale and found myself trying to link the two. As soon as I managed to get this out of my head and see it more as a related story in a different time and place, I found it far more enjoyable and I absolutely loved it. At times I was a bit confused as I was missing I formation which is no doubt available in Sea Witch (Book 1) which I have stupidly not read. If you like magical tales (or should I say tails) you will love this.

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Venom (2018) in Movies
Feb 14, 2020 (Updated Feb 14, 2020)
They Ain't Gonna Know What Hit 'em
Venom- was okay, i mean we finally got a venom movie. We finally got a good looking venom. We got a small cameo by she-venom which was nice, but hopefully in the sequel we get more than 5-10 seconds of screen time of she-venom. Also in the sequel we are getting carange, which was teased in the post-credit sence at the end of this movie, with Woody Harrison weird and fake red wig. Tom Hardy was a better eddie brock than Topher Grace. So thats good. Just feel like both Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams were both wasted in this film. Their are such both great/excellent actors, and their just wasted in this film.
The plot: Journalist Eddie Brock is trying to take down Carlton Drake, the notorious and brilliant founder of the Life Foundation. While investigating one of Drake's experiments, Eddie's body merges with the alien Venom -- leaving him with superhuman strength and power. Twisted, dark and fueled by rage, Venom tries to control the new and dangerous abilities that Eddie finds so intoxicating.
I cant really anything else about Venom, its just okay overall and hopefullt venom 2 is better.
The plot: Journalist Eddie Brock is trying to take down Carlton Drake, the notorious and brilliant founder of the Life Foundation. While investigating one of Drake's experiments, Eddie's body merges with the alien Venom -- leaving him with superhuman strength and power. Twisted, dark and fueled by rage, Venom tries to control the new and dangerous abilities that Eddie finds so intoxicating.
I cant really anything else about Venom, its just okay overall and hopefullt venom 2 is better.

So Sad Today: Personal Essays
Book
So sad today? Many are. Melissa Broder is too. How and why did she get to be so sad? And should she...

Killer Couples: True Stories of Partners in Crime
Book
Love and lust are among the most powerful of emotions, but when a joint thirst for violence is...