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| 4.00
| 51
| Jun 11, 2024
| Jun 11, 2024
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really liked it
| 3.5 stars The Truest Sense by Laura Keating is a collection of horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Cemetery Gates Media, and of 3.5 stars The Truest Sense by Laura Keating is a collection of horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Cemetery Gates Media, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As always, I will rate each short story on an individual basis. Here we go: Final Notes on the Failed Expedition to The Sixth Theatre... The images on a series of caves seem to come to life during a scientific expedition, and the team members disappear. Not a fan. Although interesting, I found it overly detailed and a little long -- I was bored. 1 star The Kissing Gate... A young girl spies two young boys pass through the gate, and they are not found. Many years later, the young teen sees one of them again. This was quite good. 4 stars Forgetting Leviathan... Two boys find a monster on the shore, and men are hired to dispose of it, but more than the just a monster is returned to the sea. Creepy. Loved it! 4 stars It’s a Helluva Thing, Bill... Bill finds a flaming hole in his basement that he figures may be able to heat the house. His buddy Larry is not so sure. Absolutely loved it. 5 stars Date Night...A date with the stars. Rather poetic, rather dark, it was okay. 3 stars Lakebottom Charlie... The summer kids vs the townies in a late night dive into the deep water. This one hit home. Loved it. 5 stars Mine is Not... A priest brings in a demonologist and his wife to exorcise a demon in a young girl. WOW. Really good....loved the abrupt ending. 5 stars Yellow Birds... As a young girl struggles with household responsibilities, 4 birds seem to follow her and bring her gifts. Rather disturbing, but good. 3 stars On the Pale Road Home... A woman walks home from a party and meets another woman. One of them may be a ghost. Simply great. 5 stars Recipe Cards of Miss Grace Procktor, With Notes... The recipes of a young woman change as time goes on. LOL. 3 stars We Are Giants... A young girl grows up in an abusive home. This was okay. 3 stars When You Reach the Lighthouse... A man is running from himself. Interesting. 3 stars The Quiet Yard... A man in search of peace finds a graveyard to work from. Loved it! 5 stars Moon Rocks on Mars... It started with the floating cow...It involved an alien race and the town building something for it. Didn't get this one. 1 star Good Time in the Bad Lands... A family road trip has the father taking a short-cut. Great story. 5 stars Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this collection of short stories. The author definitely has talent. Most are quite creepy, and the imagery long-lasting. I am very annoyed when a book is advertised as "for fans of Stephen King and Ray Bradbury". Very few authors can compare to these masters. That being said, some of these definitely felt like an episode of The Twilight Zone. Will be watching this author. This was a very fast read. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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Sep 09, 2024
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Sep 16, 2024
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Aug 03, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1728278961
| 9781728278964
| 1728278961
| 3.92
| 637
| unknown
| Jul 30, 2024
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really liked it
| Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates is an anthology of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and of course the Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates is an anthology of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As with any anthology, I will review each story on it's own. Ghost Camera ... Jenine finds an old polaroid camera that is taking pictures of ghosts....and they are suddenly aware of her. She and her friend Bree try to find an expert who can help them. People who have taken pictures with this camera die! More of a novella than a short story. Absolutely loved it! 5 stars Payment for the Dead ...Times are tough, and he has 3 small kids and a wife to feed. Is grave-robbing really so bad? Good, but, familiar ... 3 stars Death Birds ... A new species has appeared in the last couple decades. Gigantic bird-like creatures that aren't really solid appear whenever someone is dying. The ER always has them, but why are there so many? Loved this one....great protagonist. 5 stars The House on Boxwood Lane ... The kids can't figure out why they've noticed that house before. but the doors are open... So predictable, but really good. 4 stars The Run to Broken Ridge Lighthouse ... 6 teenagers on a beach where a girl had died, and apparently haunts the area.. 4 of them, the boys carrying their girlfriends on their back, race to the lighthouse. But this is more than a game. I hated those boys! Good story, though. 3 stars Remains ... A man tries to escape his loveless marriage by any means possible, but his wife loves him enough for both of them. This was simply great! 5 stars Untamed Things ... A plane crash in a remote area of the mountains has Chloe leading Ana to the front section of the plane so she can call for help. Apparently there are untamed creatures in this untamed land. Even though it was somewhat predictable, I loved both Chloe and Ana, and absolutely loved this one! 5 stars Cathedral ... A couple who are driving through the country spy a massive cathedral in a farmer's field. They decide to stop. Again, predictable, but okay 3 stars A Box of Tapes ... A new homeowner finds a box of VHS tapes in her daughter's closet with a note saying she will regret it if she views them. Needless to say, the six tapes are like a magnet. This was quite good, another novella instead of a short story. 4 stars First....it is strange to find the same title used for this collection as for the originally published single story. That is just confusing. Overall, I was surprised to see a couple familiar short stories, but then realized that the author had included shorts that she sent in her newsletters. As well, Ghost Camera was originally published a decade ago. So, I'm not really sure if any of these are "new". But it doesn't really matter, because it is a good collection! For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 22, 2024
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Jul 27, 2024
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Jul 27, 2024
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Paperback
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| 1493077503
| 9781493077502
| 1493077503
| 4.13
| 15
| unknown
| Mar 05, 2024
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really liked it
| Tales of Horror edited Bill Bowers is a collection of classic short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Globe Pequot, Lyons Press an Tales of Horror edited Bill Bowers is a collection of classic short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Globe Pequot, Lyons Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions) This is a collection of classic horror stories, many of which I have not read. I have searched, and added the year each was published, and as always, I have reviewed each story individually. 1: The Damned Thing By Ambrose Bierce (1893)... While hunting, a man is attacked by something he cannot see. Wonderful.... 5 stars 2: The Mummy’s Foot By Théophile Gautier (1840) ... A man purchases an Egyptian foot to use as a paper weight. Just great.... 5 stars 3: The Pool of the Stone God By Abraham Merritt (1923) ... A ship-wreck leaves 5 men stranded on an island. Only one will survive. I've read this one before, but OMG, loved it.... 5 stars 4: At Abdul Ali’s Grave By E. F. Benson (1912) ...The oldest man in the village dies and no one knows what he did with his money. Boring? 1 star 5: The Secret of the Growing Gold By Bram Stoker (1897) ... A scandal arises when two families mingle. A little creepy, but I could not get into this one at all. Disliked the characters. 1 star 6: His Unconquerable Enemy By W. C. Morrow (1889) ... A servant who has had his limbs removed by his rajah, seeks revenge. OMG, this was horrific. Loved it. 5 stars 7: The Story of the Brazilian Cat By Arthur Conan Doyle (1898) ... A man visits his cousin in hopes of having his debts paid, only to find himself in a predicament with a large cat. Have read this one before. Still love it. 5 stars 8: The Wife of the Kenite By Agatha Christie (1923) ... After WWI, an ex-German soldier finds his way to a farmhouse, and into the hands of a woman he has forgotten. Interesting! 4 stars 9: The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar By Edgar Allen Poe (1845) ... A man agrees to be mesmerized/hypnotized as he is about to die. Have read it before. Still not a favorite. 1 star 10: The Horror-Horn By E. F. Benson (1922) ... Mountain climbers encounter strange beings on their trip. Great story! 5 stars 11: The Spider By Hanns Heinz Ewers (1915) ... Three deaths by hanging in the same apartment window prompts the police to get involved, and a medical student to take up residence in Room #7. Very entertaining. 5 stars 12: The Man of Science By Jerome K. Jerome (1892) ... A scientist believes that a skeleton he purchases was the man he had wronged many years ago. It was good. 3 stars 13: The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell (1924) ... A hunter finds himself on an island, and becomes the hunted. Have read this before, and it was still good. 4 stars 14: In the Vault By H. P. Lovecraft (1925) ... A rather shoddy undertaker is trapped in a vault with the dead he was to bury. I know I've read it before, but I was still surprised. Really good. 4 stars 15: The Cask of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe (1846) ... A man seeks revenge on one who has insulted him, by luring him into the catacombs. I've read this before. It's okay. 3 stars 16: The Flayed Hand By Guy de Maupassant (1875) ... A young law student buys the hand of a notorious criminal who was said to be a proponent of both white and black magic. This was good, if predictable. 3 stars 17: In Amundsen’s Tent By John Martin Leahy (1928) ...An exploration trip to the South Pole finds the participants discovering the unknown in many ways. Have read this before, still quite good. 4 stars 18: For the Blood Is the Life By F. Marion Crawford (1905) ... A vampire tale. Moved slowly. Wasn't a fan. 2 stars 19: The Night Wire By H. F. Arnold (1926) ... Two men are working an overnight news service wire, when an unexpected story comes in. Really different. Loved it! 4 stars 20: Timber By John Galsworthy (1932) ... A man gets lost in the woods which he plans on selling. A little boring. 2 stars 21: Carnivorine By Lucy H. Hooper (1889) ... A man hunts for a young scientist, only to discover that he created a deadly plant. This was quite good. 3 stars 22: The Ring of Thoth By Arthur Conan Doyle (1890) ... An Egyptologist discovers a true Egyptian in a museum. Interesting premise, but a little long. 3 stars 23: The Canal By Everil Worrell (1927) ... A vampire tale. Loved this one! 5 stars 24: The Dead Smile By F. Marion Crawford (1911) ... A man and his cousin want to marry, but his father, on his death bed, refuses their request for a blessing, but gives no reason. If there wasn't so much else going on, it could almost be a love story....well, except for the creepiness, and the deranged father, and the corpse that keeps moving, and the 100 year old nurse, and that weird smile they all had, and.... I loved it! 5 stars. 25: The Monkey’s Paw By W. W. Jacobs (1902) ... A fakir put a spell on a paw that would allow 3 men to have 3 different wishes on it. I have lost count as to the number of times I have read this...but it never gets old. I love it every time. 5 stars 26: The Dream-Gown of the Japanese Ambassador by Brander Matthews (1896) ... A man returns home after world-wide adventures, dons a dressing gown, looks into a crystal ball, and goes on more adventures. Made little sense. 1 star 27: The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service (1907) ... A man from Tennessee freezes to death in the Yukon, and the story is told by the man who must cremate him. This is a classic poem, and I've always loved it. 5 stars 28: The Thing in the Forest by Bernard Capes (1915) ... A woman returning from a trip to get groceries, passes the church, where she spies a wolf which seems to be more than an animal. This was okay. 3 stars My Overall Opinion: I was pleasantly surprised to find that I have read fairly few of these marvelous tales. A word of caution. Most, if not all, are over 100 years old, and therefore the language is of a different time. That may have impacted my scoring but I hope not. Anyway, this was a fairly good (if long) collection of classics, and I was surprised at how many I loved! For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 24, 2024
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Jul 2024
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May 13, 2024
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Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 1803781688
| 9781803781686
| B0C7H1Q7HG
| 4.29
| 108
| unknown
| Sep 26, 2023
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really liked it
| Last Light by Chris Coppel is an anthology of horror tales. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and of course th Last Light by Chris Coppel is an anthology of horror tales. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As always with anthologies, I will read and review each story on an individual basis. Living Water ... A wealthy, arrogant old man wants to step into the waters of the Shoshone Mesa, in hopes that he will regain his youth. Interesting premise. 4 stars Lightning ... A wealthy computer coder who found himself fleeing from a wildfire, discovered he now wants to live quietly. He has a new house built with protection from all outside elements, controlled by AI. Strange, but interesting. 4 stars Last Touch ... A 12 year old boy discovers he has the talent of knowing if someone will die in the next 24 hours, just be shaking their hand. Wonderful story. 5 stars Lost Words ... A man who has repeatedly written books that no one will publish, sells his soul to the devil for one last chance. This was okay, but too predictable. 3 stars Labour Shortage ... Between the problems of Brexit, and Covid, seasonal farm workers are in short supply. But there seems to be one apple orchard that has been remarkably productive. Absolutely loved this one! 5 stars Lethal Assignment ... A teenager playing a video game that has him planning assassinations is in for a rude awakening. Didn't really like much about this one. Somewhat predictable. 1 star Light Dusting ... An unexpected snow storm in Florida brings an unexpected visitor to a man with a troubled past. Interesting, and although predictable, still quite good. 4 stars Long Shadows ... A horror writer is invited to a prestigious gathering at a haunted New Orleans hotel. He meets his idol, who tells him a strange tale about shadows. Really good! 4 stars Lasting Memories ... A man who is down on his luck moves into a small apartment in a run-down apartment, and meets an old woman down the hall. Great characters and plot. Loved it. 5 stars Overall, the stories were quite entertaining, often creepy, and sometimes surprising. The author writes well, and his characters are intriguing. I will definitely be reading more by this author. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 17, 2024
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Jun 24, 2024
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Apr 18, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| B0CN5NCRFH
| 4.14
| 7
| unknown
| Feb 23, 2024
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really liked it
| 3.5 stars Deadly Guests by Chris Fortunato is an anthology of short stories, previously published in UK or US magazines. First, let me thank NetGalley, 3.5 stars Deadly Guests by Chris Fortunato is an anthology of short stories, previously published in UK or US magazines. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Close to the Bone, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: Each of these stories have been previously published in magazines. They are a collection of stories where the characters may get more than they bargained for. As always, I will review and rate each short story individually. The Boot Scraper... At the age of 60, a married couple go on a vacation to re-connect. His search for an antique boot scraper may be the end of them. This was fun. 4 stars Straight Shooter... When her husband leaves, a woman is left with a teenage daughter who she tries to get close to, by doing whatever she has to. This was thought-provoking. 4 stars I’ve Come for the Cash ... A journalist who got sacked decides to make money by robbing stores in a small Vermont town, but the town has other ideas. Another fun one. 4 stars Money Heals All Wounds ... A husband and wife team hire a young girl to scare their business partner, but their own lives may be in trouble. Didn't like it, too much "mob"-related. 1 star You Will Be Very Happy Here ... An embezzler is trying to live the good life, but his fear of being caught does not allow him the peace he had anticipated. Interesting twist 4 stars Stalkers ... A teacher rents the apartment of a London artist for a month, figuring he will have a lot to tell his students after this summer. Unfortunately, the artist's stalker makes himself known. This was barely okay. 3 stars Deadly Guests ... A husband disapproves of his wife's invitation to a couple to spend the night, knowing that these guests will probably want to stay forever. Their daughter handles that problem (somewhat). Interesting! 4 stars Love and Murder ... A man who stalked his ex-girlfriend on her honeymoon, saw more than he had bargained for. Over 25 years later, he runs into her again. Didn't like any of the characters. 2 stars Everyone a Thief ... A woman whose divorce has proven to be detrimental to her social circle, begins to steal. Quite good. 4 stars The Two Lilies ... A girl who started life on the wrong side of the tracks was given the opportunity to spend a year with a more affluent family, but was cast aside. Many years later, she is trying to get back in with that crowd. Not overly impressed. 2 stars ... Overall, this was a fast and entertaining read....just what I needed. The writing was quite good. All the stories were crime-related, and all had an interesting twist. There was at least one despicable character in almost all of them. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 09, 2024
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Dec 20, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| B0BT13D97M
| 3.65
| 1,188
| Oct 24, 2023
| Oct 24, 2023
|
really liked it
| 3.5 stars Christmas and Other Horrors, edited by Ellen Datlow is an anthology of short stories by various authors, with themes surrounding the winter 3.5 stars Christmas and Other Horrors, edited by Ellen Datlow is an anthology of short stories by various authors, with themes surrounding the winter solstice. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan and of course the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: These short stories, by a number of well-known authors, are all centered around the Christmas season (the winter solstice) ...but they are all horror-based, and cover myths from around the world. These are the darker aspects of the season...ghosts, devils, mythology, and family shenanigans. As always, I will rate/review each story individually. Let's begin. The Importance of a Tidy Home by Christopher Golden … A delightful tale on the Schnabelperchten folklore of Austria, where these bird-like creatures enter your home on January 5th of every year to make sure you have dusted. If your home is not clean, you probably won't survive their visit. Freddy is homeless. Absolutely loved it! 5 stars The Ones He Takes by Benjamin Percy … In Minnesota, Santa may take a naughty boy so that he has help to build his toys. There is no escape. Good short story. 3 stars His Castle by Alma Katsu … In Wales, a man and his wife are on holidays, when the revelers knock on their door with a horse head on a stick, demanding drinks. Knowing the custom of Mari Lwyd (the grey mare), the couple let them in, but the revelers are in for a surprise. This one seemed to miss the mark for me. 2 stars The Mawkin Field by Terry Dowling … In Australia, a man sees a working fridge in the middle of a field, and starts visiting the field for a beer and a chat with the brother and sister who own the field, and who tell him about their missing father, and the scarecrow. This was okay. 3 stars The Blessing of the Waters by Nick Mamatas … In New York, the Greek community would toss a cross in the Long Island Sound and a child would dive in to retrieve it, which blessed the waters. The priests brother-in-law escapes prison and insists that they do this again. This was great! Loved the characters. 5 stars Dry and Ready by Glen Hirshberg … In Washington, a Jewish family have their own holiday tradition. Mother, daughter, and grand-daughter leave notes in the mouths of the creatures that the patriarch had made in a garden. No one really wants to do this, but what happens if they don't? This was somewhat disturbing, and I didn't like any of the characters. The plot had merit though. 3 stars Last Drinks at Bondi Beach by Garth Nix … Sydney Australia gets a lot of visitors around Christmas....they may not be safe near the water. This one was short, but somehow missing something. 2 stars Return to Bear Creek Lodge by Tananarive Due … 14 year old Johnny didn't want to return to the lodge where his grandmother had burned him, but she is dying, and his mom says there'll be money for his college fund. But Johnny's nightmares have never left him, and his uncle knows more than he is saying. This was quite good! 4 stars The Ghost of Christmases Past by Richard Kadrey … Laura is terrified of the Christmas child-eaters, as she saw her brother eaten by one many years ago. She now takes extreme measures around Christmas, but she's in for a surprise. Absolutely loved that twist! 5 stars Our Recent Unpleasantness by Stephen Graham Jones … A nightly dog-walk has Jenner seeing a strange sight or two. This was really out-there. 3 stars All the Pretty People by Nadia Bulkin … A Christmas party where people are airing their grievances with each other brings back memories, fears, guilt, and a bit of hatred. Interesting. 4 stars Sow-na by Josh Malerman … A man travels to Finland to meet his girlfriends father, and has some strange experiences in the sauna. Apparently the wood demons demand the truth! Really good. 5 stars Cold by Cassandra Khaw … The apocalypse has arrived, and there is only un-ending winter. This was okay. 3 stars of Small Birds by Kaaron Warren … Jackie, a very vain woman, lost on a cooking show, but felt she should have won. She is invited to an island to work in a prestigious hotel, where they have a rather bizarre beauty contest each Christmas. Again, Jackie is sure she is a shoe-in. This was really good! 5 stars The Visitation by Jeffrey Ford … The moral obligation to help anyone who knocks on your door from the day before to the day after Christmas is questionable. Loved it! 5 stars The Lord of Misrule by M. Rickert … A child haunts a woman. Difficult to like a story with such unlikable characters. 2 stars No Light, No Light by Gemma Files … A man visits Iceland as part of a science team. A little too much mythology, climate change and historic details for me. I was skimming. 1 star After Words by John Langan … A couple discuss the man's first teenage love, amid a bit of confusion. This was a bit of erotic fun as the last story, and really good. 5 stars Overall, there were a surprising number of 4 and 5 star stories in this collection. However, the entire collection seemed really long, and I didn't feel that a lot of them were actually horror, although a couple could be sci-fi. Anyway, as in any anthology, you take the good with the less than good. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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Nov 08, 2023
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Dec 08, 2023
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Oct 27, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1803365315
| 9781803365312
| 1803365315
| 3.79
| 1,328
| Apr 25, 2014
| Jul 18, 2023
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it was amazing
| They Lurk by Ronald Malfi is an anthology of five horror novellas. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books and of course the author, f They Lurk by Ronald Malfi is an anthology of five horror novellas. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: Although they are all horror stories, I will, as always, rate each novella on its own. Note that the first four were originally published between 2009 and 2012. The last one is new. Skullbelly... PI John Jeffers has been hired to find out why only one of four teenagers returned from their camping trip, and the one that showed up has major cuts to his body, and is in a comatose state. This was really good. I loved the atmosphere and story. Creepy good. 5 stars The Separation... Charlie and Gloria broke up 3 months ago, and he is still deeply depressed. His friend and psychologist Marcus arrives in Germany to find Charlie's behaviour more than bizarre. Wasn't sure where this was going. Really good! 4 stars The Stranger... David and Rhonda are on a road trip. When he returns to his car, he finds a strange man behind the wheel, doors locked, and the man refuses to budge, even when the police show up. Things just get worse from here. Lots of blood and gore, but loved it! 5 stars After the Fade... Tom asks Lauren to meet him at a bar. He's decided it's time to break up with her. But before that can happen, a bleeding and disoriented woman walks into the bar, falls down and dies in front of the stunned patrons. There is a giant bug attached to the base of her skull. More arrive, and the world may never be the same. Loved it! 5 stars Fierce ... Connie and her mother are involved in a car crash on a remote snowy road. The driver of the other vehicle is a little "off", and soon Connie is running for her life. She is reminded of another monster that her and her mother encountered when she was 10. She hopes she will survive this monster too. OMG...this was fantastic. 5 stars Overall, this was a great collection of horror stories. Suspense of impending doom in each of the stories creates a really creepy and scary atmosphere. You are never real sure what is real, and what could be of a more supernatural nature, and each one keeps you guessing from start to finish. I will definitely be finding more of this author's books to read. For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 10, 2023
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Aug 02, 2023
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Jun 06, 2023
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Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0385549075
| 9780385549073
| 0385549075
| 3.70
| 8,505
| Mar 07, 2023
| Mar 07, 2023
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really liked it
| Old Babes in the Woods by Margaret Atwood is an anthology of her short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House Canad Old Babes in the Woods by Margaret Atwood is an anthology of her short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House Canada, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As always, I will rate each of the fifteen short stories on their own. Note that some of these have been published in magazines and other venues, but all of them are characteristic of Atwood's writing style and creativity. The stories are broken up into sections: Section 1. TIG & NELL (the life and times of a married couple) (1) First Aid -They take a first aid course, and Nell ruminates on close calls they have had, and wonders if their new training may have helped. Quite funny. 5 stars (2) Two Scorched Men - They vacation in a small town in Paris and meet John and Francois, two friends with rather outlandish stories. Just didn't see the charm. 2 stars (3) Morte de Smudgie - Their cat Smudgie dies, and Nell re-write's Tennyson's story to reflect on death. Interesting, if somewhat boring. 3 stars Section 2. MY EVIL MOTHER (Witches, supernatural, science fiction and others) (1) My Evil Mother - A 15 year old girl thinks her mother may be a witch, but may be just a little over-protective. I've read this before, and still love it! 5 stars (2) The Dead Interview - An interview with George Orwell through a medium. What a delightful conversation. 5 stars (3) Impatient Griselda - A being from another planet tells the "Earth" story of two sisters. Loved it! 5 stars (or more) (4) Bad Teeth - Two women gossip about a man whom one insists the other slept with. The other claims she has never even heard of him. Frustratingly comical. 4 stars (5) Freeforall - In a world of a sexually transmitted disease, a woman is responsible for arranging marriages between uncontaminated couples. Wow, simply Wow. 5 stars (6) Metempsychosis or, the journey of the soul - A snail's soul re-emerges in the body of a young woman (or a woman needs major psychiatric help). Interesting. 4 stars (7) Airborne: a symposium - Three old feminists meet to write up a university proposal for a new chair, but have problems getting started. Witty, but I felt it lacked a point. 3 stars (8) Death by Clamshell - The life/death of a woman in a different time. This was really good, really thought-provoking. 5 stars NELL & TIG (1) A Dusty Lunch - The life of Tig's father, a veteran of WWII is examined. Not my cup of tea -- perhaps because my dad and uncle also served in WWII. 2 stars (2) Widows - Nell is grieving the loss of Tig. Rather heart-breaking. 3 stars (3) Wooden Box - Nell starts cleaning out old things of Tig's. Again, sad. 3 stars (4) Old Babes in the Wood - Nell and her sister start clear up the old cabin. I don't know what to say....boring, and yet.... 2 stars So, overall, I loved the middle section of the book. These stories dealt with the unknown, and showed a lot of Hoffman's imagination. Just brilliant! The Nell & Tig chapters I found a little sad, yet very moving, and wonder how much of this was actually based on Hoffman's relationship with Graeme Green. I think, due to my age, they may be hitting a little close to home. The stories are about aging, and loss, and what happens when your partner dies....so a lot are bound to be a little sad, yet there is something about them that just brings out the fact that they are about a long life of love. Bottom line...if you are a Hoffman fan...you can't miss this one. For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 09, 2023
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Mar 25, 2023
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Mar 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0692172718
| B07GBJP2BL
| 4.44
| 16
| unknown
| Aug 10, 2018
|
Twisted Tales of Deceit by P.D. Alleva is the first in the Beyond The Chamber Door horror series, and is actually 3 short stories. First, let me thank Twisted Tales of Deceit by P.D. Alleva is the first in the Beyond The Chamber Door horror series, and is actually 3 short stories. First, let me thank the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As this book is actually three separate stories, I will review and rate each individually. All the stories deal will how evil influences people, how someone's self-worth can result in poor decisions, how their fears can impact their actions. The stories are all about addictions, and honestly, if I had known this was the main topic, I would have stayed away from the book. Do we really need to read "fiction" to bring home the point that this disease is awful, that mental health issues can be exacerbated by drugs or alcohol? I could go on. Anyway....the stories: The Calculated Desolation of Hope: William discovers a strange house in the desert, and against his better judgement, enters. His heart is pure, and the devil (Mephisto), wants it. He plans on using Katarina to darken his soul. Okay, definitely not my favorite. This story did nothing for me. It was very philosophical, and had no real plot, except that drugs are bad for you. 2 stars Somnium: Charlie is a dreamer. His hopes and dreams are always shot down by Jimmy. Again, not my cup of tea, but the characters were interesting.. 2 stars Knickerbocker: Isaac Crane (not to be confused with Ichabod), is new to Sleepy Hallow, and was thrilled to get a teaching job, after the struggles of his life. But he is clean now. He becomes obsessed with another teacher, and she leads him back to his demons. Then the legend steps in. This story was the saving grace for the whole book. This was a really well-written tale (even with it's theme of addiction). It had some great twists, and some really interesting characters. I loved it. 5 stars. Overall, all of the characters in all three stories were sad. Good qualities were few and far between. Fear and self-destruction was the theme, and addiction the curse. I have read two other full-length books by the author which I loved, so needless to say, I'll be reading more of his books. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 18, 2023
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Dec 18, 2023
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Nov 17, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 1405952725
| 9781405952729
| B09RSWP4QP
| 3.81
| 3,586
| Nov 08, 2022
| Sep 29, 2022
|
really liked it
| A Silver by Darkness by C.J. Tudor is an anthology of her short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House Canada and A Silver by Darkness by C.J. Tudor is an anthology of her short stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House Canada and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: A number of her short stories. As always, I will provide a brief synopsis and a review of each story on an individual basis. End of the Liner ... Over 50 years have passed since the world's soil became contaminated, and the people were moved to cruise ships. But there are certain rules on these ships and not everyone is a fan. I loved the characters, and I am hoping 75 is too young for retirement too. This was absolutely wonderful! 5 stars The Block ... Some kids enter an abandoned building and find something waiting for them. Very creepy. I loved the questionable ending! 5 stars Runaway Blues ... A Jazz singer falls in love with a dancer, and his fans follow the story. This was a little "heady"....okay poor pun. Again, although I sort of expected it, I loved the ending. 5 stars The Completion A rather vile real estate agent thinks he is about to make the sale of the century. I didn't like the character, nor the ending, but I may be biased as my ex was a realtor, so I don't think the story agent got what he deserved...Okay, who's wicked now? 3 stars The Lion at the Gate A group of kids take a short-cut to school, and find a lion spray-painted on a gate. It is more than it seems. Loved the characters, and the premise. The ending was perfect! 5 stars Gloria ... An assassin who survived death, meets a girl who thinks she may be redeemed. The assassin isn't so sure. This was a great story using characters from other books. 4 stars I’m Not Ted ... A man arrives at the "Elevation Department", but insists he is not Ted...but is tempted by Ted's life. This was okay if somewhat predictable. 3 stars Final Course ... When the world turns dark, irrational fears develop, and the weak get blamed. A man and his daughter go to stay with friends from university, but even there, discrimination abounds. Interesting. I loved Millie, who isn't quite the underdog. 4 stars The Copy Shop ... A woman discovers a shop where she can get a "better" copy. This concept was really fun, and the ending perfect! 5 stars Dust ... A woman spends time in a strange hotel, with some strange characters, refusing to remember her past. This one did nothing for me. 2 stars Butterfly Island ... A group of people struggling to find a safe haven when a virus has taken over the world, head to a Butterfly Sanctuary on a "deserted" island. I wasn't fond of the characters, but really loved the story. 3 stars I liked how the author introduced each story with a "how it came about" paragraph or two. A couple of these stories will stay with me for a while! Overall, this was really good, with some really "out-there" ideas. CJ Tudor has a wicked imagination, and shares it well. It's hard to pick a favorite, but it may have been The Lion at the Gate. BTW, I loved the cover. For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 2022
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Nov 12, 2022
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Jul 10, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 1613163487
| 9781613163481
| 1613163487
| 3.72
| 313
| Sep 13, 2022
| Sep 27, 2022
|
really liked it
| The Best Mystery Stories of the Year, edited by Sara Paretsky is an anthology of short stories First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penzler Pub The Best Mystery Stories of the Year, edited by Sara Paretsky is an anthology of short stories First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penzler Publishers, Mysterious Press and of course the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: The legendary mystery fiction specialty bookstore, The Mysterious Bookshop, and with a forward by both Otto Penzler (who has been doing this type of thing for many years) and best-selling author Sara Paretsky (this year's guest editor), have selected the best short stories of 2022 -- although the year isn't over? As always, I am providing my brief synopsis/opinion of each story, and rating them as per my normal criteria. I've added their nationality, and was surprised at the number of Americans. The stories are: Kiss of Life by Doug Allyn (American) ... The mob, a gambler, a woman trying to save her marriage, and the daughter from hell....none of my favorite topics, and much too long. 1 star A Shooting in Rathreedane by Colin Barrett (Irish) ... A man is shot while trying to steal oil in the middle of the summer. It was okay, but nothing special. 2 stars White Chocolate by Jerome Charyn (American) ... A lawyer has a mother who runs the town, but when she steals her own grandson, he is the only one to stand up to her. Loved the writing and the plot. Lots of fun! 5 stars Avalon by Michael Connelly (American) ... A stranger arrives on a small island with murder on his mind. Great writing. Short and sweet. 4 stars Better Austens by Susan Frith (American) ... A group of mothers, who are also executioners, are part of a book club. This was a really unique story, just great! 5 stars El Cuerpo en el Barril by Tom Larsen (American) ... Corruption in Equador. Didn't like the topic, or the characters. The writing was fine. 1 star October in Kauai by Sean Marciniak (American) ... A young man with a corrupt and abusive father decides to start making his own choices. Really entertaining. 4 stars Gun Running on Vacation by Stefon Mears (American) ... Two friends decide to head to Mexico for vacation, but one of them gambles away all their money. This was quite good. 3 stars Sleigh Bells for the Hayride by Keith Lee Morris (American) ... A young man encounters a deaf woman when he agrees to drop off heroine for an acquaintance. Well, I have no understanding of the title, but the story was okay. 3 stars Violent Devotion by Gwen Mullins (American) ... A missing girl causes another father to worry about his son. This was really good. 5 stars Black Knight by Jo Nesbo (Norwegian) ... In a time when contract killers were the norm, sometimes the best chess player wins. Absolutely loved the characters and plot, and although a little long, it was great! 5 stars Detour by Joyce Carol Oates (American) ... A woman who encounters a detour has her world turned upside down. Good, but not sure I would classify this as a mystery...more horror. 4 stars Little City Blues by Annie Reed (American) ... A private eye accepts a client who thinks his wife is cheating on him, but discovers there is much more going on. Quite good. 4 stars Grief Span Kristine Kathryn Rusch (American) ... A woman is grieving the loss of her husband, but discovers he was not as he seemed. This was was unexpected, and great! 5 stars A Heaven or a Hell by Anna Scotti (American) ... A lawyer adopts two boys who are responsible for his brothers death, but they don't all survive a fall off a cliff. Really interesting, and apparently part of a series with the Librarian solving crimes. 5 stars Bang on the Money by Ginny Swart (South Africa) ... An assassin is conned. The story was short and to the point. 3 stars The Influencer by Ellen Tremiti (American) ... A detective who wants to retire is handed a missing persons case. This was really good! 5 stars Give or Take a Quarter Inch by Joseph S. Walker (American) ... A retired professional baseball pitcher is forced out of retirement. Short and sweet! 4 stars The Theresa Job by Colson Whitehead (American) ... Two cousins get involved in a big heist. Neither the topic nor the writing appealed to me. 2 stars Where There's Love by Michael Wiley (American) ... A jeweler hires security for his diamonds, but diamonds are a girls best friend. Rather comical. Just okay. 2 stars A Jury of her Peers by Susan Glaspell (American) ... Written over a century ago, this was a bonus story, set in a time where little respect was given to women. A man is found hung, and his wife taken into custody. It started a little slow, but was quite good. 4 stars Okay, in conclusion, the forwards were too long. All the information about each author prior to their story were also too long in most cases. The reader is here to read the stories! We don't really care how many awards the author has won, or where they studied writing....that is fine for an entire book by the author, but these are supposedly short stories and they take forever to get to....and then after you read the story, the author tells why they wrote it. While all this is entertaining, it makes the book really long. Remember, these are only my opinions - we may like/dislike different stories - it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing. But I felt there were a lot of 4 and 5 star stories in this collection, and I was entertained. That's what it's all about! ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Sep 02, 2022
not set
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Sep 15, 2022
not set
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Jun 21, 2022
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1250794595
| 9781250794598
| 1250794595
| 3.44
| 790
| May 10, 2022
| Feb 28, 2023
|
really liked it
| Dark Stars, edited by John F.D. Taff, is a collection of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Ni Dark Stars, edited by John F.D. Taff, is a collection of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire (and in particular Jordan Hanley), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As always, I will review each story individually. Note that there is a forward by Josh Malerman which was quite interesting (if a little long). Then there is an introduction from John Taff, who brought all these stories together. An afterword is written by Ramsey Campbell, and some notes on each story from the point of view of each author. There were actual stories in between all of that.... Here we go.... ... The Attentionist by Caroline Kepnes .... Sisters, one needing constant attention from boys, and one with a stalker. The sister aspect was rather funny at times. I loved it. 5 stars. A Life in Nightmares by Ramsey Campbell ... A childhood nightmare follows a young boy throughout his life, and his nightmares. I think that was what it was about -- hated it, but it could be because I just didn't get it. 1 star Papa Eye by Priya Sharma A physician re-locates to a remote island, where some of the traditions from long ago prevail. Loved it! 5 stars Volcano by Livia Llewellyn Not even sure I understood this one (maybe a black hole?)....but it was creepy as hell, and I enjoyed it. 4 stars All the Things He Called Memories by Stephen Graham Jones ... A couple, stuck inside during a pandemic, decide to amuse themselves by telling the other of their worst fear. The wife, a scientist may be conducting an experiment. Her upholsterer husband seems to be the target. This was wonderfully spooky. I loved it! 5 stars Trinity River’s Blues by Chesya Burke (American) A young woman who can see and talk to ghosts, invites one too many into here life. I loved the fact that her best friend was a dead country and western star. Great story! 5 stars The Familiar’s Assistant by Alma Katsu (American) A young man who has had a rather rough life goes looking for a vampire. Great premise and story! 5 stars Swim in the Blood of a Curious Dream by Joh F.D. Taff ... A man and his 5 year old son are heading to Illinois after the death of his wife. But she still wants to share custody. WOW...that was good... 5 stars The Sanguintalist by Gemma Files ... A magician takes in and talks to the blood of the recently deceased to discover what killed the victim...and tries to vindicate them. Interesting (if a liittle long)... 4 stars Mrs. Addison’s Nest by Josh ... Four friends relive the day they served detention in high school, where they meet Mrs. Addison. Interesting, but missing something.... 3 stars by Usman T. Malik A journalist and her husband are invited to India to see his brother's new project. A visit to the old cremation grounds has both the guide and the journalist sharing ghost stories. This was just okay. 3 stars Enough for Hunger and Enough for Hate by John Langan (American) A sister wants to avenge her brother's death. A tale of the Wendigo. The story was good, just too long, and paragraphs that went on forever... 3 stars ... As I read each story, I continued to be amazed that there were so many that I was giving 5 stars. Definitely more hits than duds. Seldom in a collection do I find that many outstanding tales. Yes, I had heard of some of the authors, but not all, so that was great -- I now have a few more authors to follow. Here's hoping your next read is 5 stars !!! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 05, 2022
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May 05, 2022
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May 05, 2022
|
Trade Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 1613163150
| 9781613163153
| 1613163150
| 3.55
| 211
| May 10, 2022
| Jul 12, 2022
|
liked it
| Extenuating Circumstances by Joyce Carol Oates is an anthology of short stories in the crime/suspense genre. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publish Extenuating Circumstances by Joyce Carol Oates is an anthology of short stories in the crime/suspense genre. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penzler/WW Norton & Company and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions As always, each short story deserves it's own review. These have been published over the years in various places. They are all in the crime/suspense genre. Someone generally dies, and some are a little disturbing. The Death of Mrs. Sheer Two cousins are hired by their uncle to kill a man, but he turns the tables. Hated this one...boring characters. 1 star In the Warehouse ... A young girl makes a new friend, who is a "little" bossy. Quite good. 4 stars By the River ... A young woman returns home from the big city, and her father meets her at the station. Not sure. 3 stars Queen of the Night ... A woman divorces, and remarries. Not impressed. 1 star The Revenge of the Foot, 1970 ... A young medical school student parties with others (and a foot), and then visits her lover. And the point was??? 1 star The Doll ... A woman sees a house which reminds her vividly of a dollhouse she had as a child. Strange story, but kept me interested. 3 stars Little Wife ... A young woman comes to town and is willingly taken in by a number of men, written from a 12 year old boy's perspective. Interesting, if a little dark. 4 stars Yarrow ... A man borrows $500 from a cousin, with eventual repercussions. Makes me think before lending money. 4 stars Haunted ... Two young girls explore the abandoned houses around their county. Interesting. 4 stars Death Valley ... A meeting in Vegas leads to a trip to the desert. Somewhat confusing. 2 stars Craps ... Another Vegas story. 2 stars Family ... A "family" learn to live in changing times. This was really good! Absolutely loved it. 5 stars. Ladies and Gentlemen ... This cruise will be the last you ever take....Good story! 4 stars Why Don't You Come Live With Me, It's Time ... A young girl has a special relationship with her grandmother. This was okay. 3 stars The Buck ... A woman tries to protect a wounded buck. Not a fan of the topic, so.... 0 stars The Model ... A high school student poses for an elderly artist in the park, but the past comes back to haunt her. Somewhat predictable, but a very good story. 4 stars Extenuating Circumstances ... There are NO extenuating circumstances for what happens. Hated it. 0 stars The Girl Who Was to Die ... A woman overhears a conversation between her step-daughter and a friend, who later ends up dead. I must have missed something. 1 star Poor Bibi ... The death of a "pet". Hated it. 0 stars The Undesirable Table ... A group of friends is provided a table for dinner next to the front window. So? 1 star The Hand-Puppet ... A child creates her own hand-puppet, but neither her mother nor the school children are impressed. 2 stars Valentine ... A young girl has a crush on her teacher. 2 stars The Collector of Hearts ... A young delinquent is invited back to the house of the judge who suspended her sentence. There she sees his collection of hearts. 3 stars The Sons of Angus ... Six sons decide their father should not have publicly humiliated their mother. 3 stars Not enjoying the first story really put a damper on the start of this book. As well, long boring paragraphs in the next few didn't help. Overall, the collection was okay, but surprisingly, boring. A few were (I assume) purposely left unexplained. I was expecting more from this author, so was rather disappointed. Each story was rather long, and except for a few, lacked excitement. This was really close to being a no-finish, but then I would have missed a few really good ones, so, I'm glad I hung in there. I think the author has really grown as a writer, and these older stories do not do her justice. Hope your next choice is 5 stars! For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and contact details, as well as a favorite quotation from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 18, 2022
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Jul 18, 2022
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Apr 06, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1787584658
| 9781787584655
| B08Z3BHTSG
| 3.92
| 147
| Oct 19, 2021
| Oct 26, 2021
|
really liked it
| Beyond the Veil, edited by Mark Morris is an anthology of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Flame Tree Press and of co Beyond the Veil, edited by Mark Morris is an anthology of short horror stories. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Flame Tree Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As always with an anthology, I will be reviewing each separately. There are 20 short stories, a few from authors known to me, but most of these authors are new to me. A lot of these are about death, in some for or another. So, let us begin: The God Bag by Christopher Golden (American) ... A woman writes her wishes down and places them in her "God Bag". Some on white paper, and some on red. OMG...Loved it. 5 stars Man by Matthew Holness (British) ... The neighbour across the street insists on providing cake for a mother and 3 children, but he's a creep. Later, the baby-sitter takes over the cake thing. The whole story is creepy! 4 stars The Beechfield Miracles by Priya Sharma (British) ... A journalist investigates a young woman. Is she a miracle worker, or just a charismatic leader of a cult? WOW, that was really good. 5 stars Clockwork by Dan Coxon (British) ... A daughter, after burying her father, finds pieces of an automaton in his flower bed. Didn't really enjoy this one, although it did have a certain creep factor, and the writing was fine. 3 stars Soapstone by Aliya Whiteley (British) ... A young woman deals with the death of a friend, or not. This was creepy, but there was something missing. 3 stars The Dark Bit by Toby Litt (British) ... A couple get "threads" running through their bodies when entering a certain area of their home, and they deal with them. This was simply wonderful. 5 stars Provenance Pond by Josh Malerman (American) ... A young woman thinks back to her childhood, and her imaginary friends. This was a little disappointing from one of my favorite authors. 3 stars For All The Dead by Angeline B. Adams (Irish) and Remco van Straten (Dutch) ... A story about men lost at sea, and the women who wait for them. This one did nothing for me, as it was more sad than scary. 1 star The Girl in the Pool by Bracken MacLeod (American) ... A thief who always wanted to be a good person has the opportunity, or so he thinks. Good writing, but missing something. 3 stars Nurse Vaden by Jeremy Dyson (American) ... A man tries to determine why he has a fear of being unconscious. Interesting, but the ending could have been better. 3 stars If, Then by Lisa L. Hannett (Australian) ... A gardener experiments on his loved one to heal her. This one did nothing for me. 1 star Aquarium Ward by Karter Mycroft (American) ... A bug from beneath the sea emerges, and a doctor will do anything to save his patients. Interesting! 4 stars A Mystery for Julie Chue by Stephen Gallagher (British) ... A young woman with a knack for finding worthwhile garage sale items. Absolutely loved it! 5 stars Away Day by Lisa Tuttle (Scottish) ... A young woman on a team-building day gets lost. It was okay, but I didn't really like it. 2 stars Polaroid and Seaweed by Peter Harness (British) ... A young child, whose mother left him, decides his real mother came from the sea. Disturbing. 2 stars Der Geisterbahnhof by Lynda E. Rucker (American) ... A young woman goes with an old "friend" and some others in search of a ghost station in Berlin. Eerie, but confusing. 2 stars Arnie's Ashes by John Everson (American) ... Arnie may have been cremated, but his friends keep seeing his face. This was comical, in a strange way. I loved it. 5 stars A Brief Tour of the Night by Nathan Ballingrud (American) ... A man talks to ghosts, who sometimes answer him. Great story. 5 stars The Care and Feeding of Household Gods by Frank J. Oreto (American) ... A stay-at-home father figures out a way to keep the children happy, the house spotless, and elegant meals prepared. This, although a little disturbing at times, was good. 4 stars by Gemma Files (British) ... A virus which attacks women by covering their face and chest with a mask is running rampant throughout the world. That was different, but good. 4 stars Overall, there are a lot of good stories in this bunch, more than normal in an anthology. I never expect to love them all, but I was surprised at the amount that I did. Yes, there were some that weren't my cup of tea, but those may be yours, so yes, you should take a chance on this book. Happy reading! For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, and a favorite quotation from it), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 18, 2021
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Oct 24, 2021
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Oct 09, 2021
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| B08SW4P3YD
| 3.90
| 2,084
| Sep 21, 2021
| Oct 12, 2021
|
really liked it
| When Things Get Dark is an anthology of short stories written as a tribute to Shirley Jackson. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books When Things Get Dark is an anthology of short stories written as a tribute to Shirley Jackson. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: As I always do with anthologies, each short story will have it's own rating. These stories are a tribute to Shirley Jackson, by some of the best horror writers of today. Jackson's stories are a world-wide legacy, and have inspired many. Her stories are usually quite dark. So, here we go.... Funeral Birds by M. Rickert ... A home care worker attends the funeral of an unlikeable patient. It was just ok (not sure I would have led with this short story. 3 stars For Sale By Owner by Elizabeth Hand ... Three 60-something women camp out in an abandoned house. Very entertaining. 5 stars In the Deep Woods; The Light is Different There by Seanan McGuire ... A woman inherits a lakehouse, while dealing with her divorce. This one dragged. 1 star A Hundred Miles and a Mile by Carmen Maria Machado ... A woman has had strange visions since her childhood. This one seemed incomplete...I was lost. 1 star Quiet Dead Things by Cassandra ... A town decides to isolate themselves after a recent death. Disquieting, but a little confusing. 3 stars Something Like Living Creatures by John ... A girl reads from a strange bible, another reads tarot cards, a third has a vision...and then their mother arrives. Loved it! 5 stars Money of the Dead by Karen ... Four elderly neighbours are gifted with money to bring back the dead, with unexpected results. Interesting. 4 stars Hag by Benjamin Percy ... An island with a Hag that needs to be fed. Great story! 5 stars Take Me, I Am Free by Joyce Carol Oates ... A woman who is not prepared for motherhood. Disturbing, but good. 5 stars A Trip to Paris by Richard Kadrey ... A woman got away with murder, but now it looks like mold might do her in. Really good. 5 stars The Party by Paul Tremblay ... A woman and her girlfriend attend a work party with an End of the World theme. I must have missed something, as there didn't seem to be a point. 1 star Refinery Road by Stephen Graham Jones ... The man remembers a night out with his friends many years ago. This was a little confusing. 1 star The Door in the Fence by Jeffrey Ford ... The neighbour behind them seems to have found the fountain of youth, with repercussions. Really good. 5 stars Pear of Anguish by Gemma Files ... A young woman remembers her childhood, and the aches and pains of growing up, perhaps a little mentally unstable. Loved it! 5 stars Special Meal by Josh Malerman ... A time when knowing math could be the worst thing to know. Great, innovative story. 5 stars Sooner or Later, Your Wife Will Drive Home by Genevieve Valentine ... The perils of being a woman driver. Interesting, but disturbing. 4 stars Tiptoe by Laird Barron... A family's rather strange game may not be as innocent as originally thought. Interesting, but it dragged a little. 3.5 stars Veil by Kelly Link ... While trying to finish his dissertation, a man takes a job housesitting in Vermont. He get some strange visitors. This was quite good. 4 stars. So, overall, an interesting collection. Yes, some were strange, some disturbing, and some just confusing. I didn't find any true horror in this collection. However, it was one of the better anthologies that I have read. Some of the authors were known to me, and others new. I did not expect to love every story, so I was not really disappointed. I guess I was just more surprised at the number of really good ones! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 26, 2021
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Sep 30, 2021
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Oct 02, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| 0802157998
| 9780802157997
| 0802157998
| 3.73
| 1,961
| Oct 06, 2020
| Oct 06, 2020
|
liked it
|
Cardiff, by the Sea by Joyce Carol Oates is an anthology of four novellas. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Grove Atlantic (Mysterious Pres Cardiff, by the Sea by Joyce Carol Oates is an anthology of four novellas. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Grove Atlantic (Mysterious Press), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: I will break my thoughts down into the four novellas. Cardiff By the Sea - Clare was adopted when she was a toddler, and was never interested in anyone but her adoptive parents. But a phone call from a lawyer in Cardiff Maine, changes all that. Her "grandmother" has passed away, and she is the beneficiary of a house and some land. She has aunts who want to get to know her. Clare decides she wants to know them as well, but what she discovers about her past may not be what she had in mind. I admit to struggling with the length and prose of this story, although the premise was sound. It was a little boring. (2 stars) Miao Dao - Mia is a rather lonely young girl who is adjusting to her parents divorce and her mother's dating. She adopts a feral cat who becomes rather protective. This was a rather dark story, but I did enjoy the ending. (3 stars) 1972 - Alyce, a shy college student, gets pregnant but is unsure she should even tell the father, who is suddenly ignoring her. An older professor thinks he has a solution to her problem. Another rather dark tale with a rather surprising ending. It was okay. (3 stars) The Surviving Child - Elisabeth is almost 20 years younger than Alexander, but thrilled when the wealthy aristocrat asks her to marry him. His first wife, a renowned poet, killed herself and her daughter 3 years ago. Stefan, their son, was spared, and he is now 10. Elisabeth is living in the dead poet's shadow, and struggling to understand both the boy and her husband, not to mention the woman who came before her. This one I really enjoyed. (5 stars) Overall, I enjoyed the plots of all of these stories. All of them feature a woman protagonist, and most have a dominant/abusive male figure. They are all dark, depressing tales. Although her prose is good, it took me a while to get into her writing style. I will probably be in the minority as I know this author is very popular, and I know her literary prose is supposedly one of the best. Perhaps I picked the wrong book to be introduced to her work. I think I might try a full-length novel next time. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 30, 2020
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Nov 03, 2020
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Sep 03, 2020
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Hardcover
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| 1631067184
| 9781631067181
| 1631067184
| 4.24
| 212,067
| Dec 20, 1812
| Aug 04, 2020
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it was amazing
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The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales by Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm is an anthology of 211 of the classic tales, told to children for over two centurie
The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales by Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm is an anthology of 211 of the classic tales, told to children for over two centuries. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: First, I think this is a book you will want a hard copy of...the bigger the better. This book is not meant for an e-reader. Now, I admit that I don't remember my mom reading these to me, or me reading them to myself either. I remember Mowgli, and then The Secret Garden, and Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew...then Erle Stanley Gardner and Stephen King.... Guess we weren't a fairy-tale family. I do know most of the popular stories in this book though, but not really from my own childhood. Now, I really recommend reading these stories yourself before reading them to your child. Only you can decide whether it is appropriate for your child. I am a horror story reader, and I think some of these are a better fit for that genre. The Grimm brothers collected folk tales, and wrote them down, usually embellishing on the story, and sometimes re-writing them totally. These stories are timeless. The book is an amazing collection of over 200 short stories. Of course, there are the old favorites like Rapunzel, Hansel & Grethel, and Cinderella (who doesn't have a Fairy Godmother, or a pumpkin coach), and Little Red Cap (otherwise known as Little Red Riding Hood), which were a pleasure to read and remember, although I really don't remember them being quite that dark. Some were a little different than I remembered. An example was The Frog King, where the princess didn't have to kiss her frog, but he appeared as a prince after she threw the frog against a wall in anger....I think my version was a little kinder. However, there were some tales that were new to me. Cat and Mouse in Partnership was one such, although it reminded me of the story about the frog that helped the scorpion across the river. The Wise Servant baffles me (and my husband), which seems to tell people not to obey orders from their boss, but do whatever they feel like. My favorite....The Duration of Life. Anyway, these are definitely an entertaining read, but again, read them yourself before thinking your child is old enough (apparently 60 may not be old enough for some of these!) For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 19, 2020
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Aug 19, 2020
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Jul 31, 2020
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Hardcover
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| B07YN9YNP9
| 3.98
| 105,210
| Apr 21, 2020
| Apr 21, 2020
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really liked it
| If it Bleeds by Stephen King is a collection of 4 novellas. My Synopsis and Opinions: I think it's only fair to give a brief synopsis of each of the nov If it Bleeds by Stephen King is a collection of 4 novellas. My Synopsis and Opinions: I think it's only fair to give a brief synopsis of each of the novellas. They are all classic Stephen King short (or rather long) stories. Mr. Harrigan's Phone: A young boy introduces the i-Phone to an old man. When he dies, the boy buries the phone with him, and continues to touch base occasionally. True Stephen King. Absolutely loved it. 5 stars. The Life of Chuck: Told in three segments, Chuck's relatively short life is told backwards. From his deathbed (and that of the world), to his encounter with a drummer, and back to his childhood, being raised in an old Victorian house with a creepy cupola. Didn't really like the way this was written. It wasn't so much the time slots, but the fact that it looked like the apocalypse was occurring in the first segment, and somehow I thought Chuck might be responsible for this, but nothing was cohesive. The story was good, just didn't make sense to me. 2 stars...and this one story is why the whole book only gets 4 stars. If It Bleeds: Featuring Holly Gibney originally from the Mr. Mercedes series, and then brought back for The Outsiders. Note that you should probably read those prior to this one, as there are spoilers for those in this book. Holly watches the news footage from a bombing at a school in Pennsylvania, barely keeping her tears at bay, but she is obsessed. Something about the reporter is wrong. OMG...I just love Holly. This was definitely my favorite. 5 stars. Rat: Drew Larson has struggled to write a full-length novel. He has succeeded with short stories, but he knows he must complete one novel before he dies. His first attempt ended in a nervous breakdown. But this time he has it all laid out in his mind. He leaves his wife and kids to spend a week or so at a cabin in Northern Maine, where he is sure that he can get a good start on his book. Just as a wicked storm is headed his way, Drew develops a cold and a raging fever, during which he meets a Rat. Okay, I would recognize this as a King novel any day. It was great. 5 stars. Stephen King's imagination knows no bounds. He takes us from a normal every day event to a nightmare in 30 seconds. For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 16, 2021
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May 18, 2021
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Jan 28, 2020
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| B085RNP383
| 3.63
| 146
| Oct 31, 2019
| Oct 31, 2019
|
it was ok
| Divan of Shah by Shah Asad Rizvi is a collection of poems. First, let me thank the author for approaching me and providing me a copy of his book in exc Divan of Shah by Shah Asad Rizvi is a collection of poems. First, let me thank the author for approaching me and providing me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis and Opinions: Although I occasionally read poetry, it is not my favorite genre of book. However, the topics in this book were very light, and most had a "joyous" feel, mainly about love, and dancing, most very romantic. However, none of them seemed very deep, and I had problems relating to them. The author uses a lot of repetitive prose in his poems, which both pulls the reader into the poem, and sometimes drives me nuts. So, I did like a few of the poems, but others did nothing for me. Now, all poetry is (or should be) written from the poet's heart, and therein lies the problem, because the words will always be open to interpretation, and interpreted by the reader. If the reader is in a bad mood, the same poem may have a totally different "feel", than if they were on cloud nine. So I have always felt it is very hard to judge a poem. However, all that being said, I was asked for "my" review. This one wasn't for me, and although all books are written from the author's heart, poetry is very personal, and I really had a hard time rating it. If you are a poetry reader, give it a shot... For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 20, 2020
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Jul 30, 2020
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Dec 22, 2019
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Paperback
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| 1913335585
| 9781913335588
| B07ZTG9PJ9
| 3.77
| 261
| Oct 30, 2019
| Oct 30, 2019
|
really liked it
| Midwinter Mysteries is an anthology of short crime fiction stories by various authors. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Sapere Books, and o Midwinter Mysteries is an anthology of short crime fiction stories by various authors. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Sapere Books, and of course the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions) A brief description of each short story, and my thoughts. Away in a Manger by Graham Brack - Prague, 2006. An outdoor market hosts a Nativity Play, and is ripe for thieves. (Josef Slonsky Investigations Series). Humor abounds. It was okay. Footprints In the Snow by J.C. Briggs - England, 1850. Dickens and others are snowed in, so he tells them a ghost story. The next morning one of them is dead in a locked room. (Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones Series). Good. Lost and Found by Keith Moray - Scotland, 2012. The police wonder if a party discussion about snuff boxes and cauls and other folklore lead to a man's death. (Inspector Torquil McKinnon Investigations Series). Well-written and really interesting. The Spirit of Christmas - by Cora Harrison - England, 1858. A young boy finds a strange man in place of his blind brother who should be singing on the corner for some needed cash. (Victorian London Murder Mysteries Series). Loved this one! The Stolen Santa Sack - by Sean Gibbons - Ireland, 2019. Corrupt policemen lose a sack of goodies, and Santa ends up dead in the back of a cab. (Ben Miller Thriller Series). This one was just fun! Will Power by Marilyn Todd - England, 1895. A photographer captures more than just a "ghost" on film. (Julia McAllister Victorian Mysteries). Loved it! Christmas Spirits by Gaynor Torrance - Wales, 2019. A side trip to the toy store by two police officers provides them with more than gifts. (DI Jemima Huxley Investigations Series). Really good! The Essex Nativity by David Field - England, 1895. A birth in a barn, and an antique shop that is selling stolen property. (Esther and Jack Knight Mystery Series). Good. Secret Santa by Kim Fleet - England, 2015. An elderly woman hires a PI to find out who is following her. (Eden Grey Mystery Series). The Best of the Bunch! Stir Up Sunday by M.J. Logue - England, 1665. The royal recipe book is missing, and must be found. (Thomazine and Thankful Russell Thriller Series). Not my cup of tea. The Christmas Ghost by Linda Stratmann - England, 1871. The loss of a loved one can leave a lasting memory. (Mina Scarletti Mystery series). Loved it! My Opinions: I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this collection of Christmas-related short crime stories. Different authors, different countries, different time frames....but a common theme, and really good writing. These authors have all written full-length novels involving the main characters in these short stories, and I believe most of these series would be good. Although I am not usually a fan of books in different centuries, I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed more than I disliked...and with an anthology that is a really good rating! For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 14, 2019
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Dec 18, 2019
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Dec 14, 2019
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Kindle Edition
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Kat (Katlovesbooks)
>
Books:
anthologies
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| 4.00
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really liked it
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Sep 16, 2024
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Aug 03, 2024
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| 3.92
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really liked it
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Jul 27, 2024
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Jul 27, 2024
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| 4.13
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really liked it
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Jul 2024
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May 13, 2024
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| 4.29
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really liked it
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Jun 24, 2024
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Apr 18, 2024
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| 4.14
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really liked it
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Feb 09, 2024
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Dec 20, 2023
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| 3.65
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really liked it
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Dec 08, 2023
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Oct 27, 2023
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| 3.79
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it was amazing
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Aug 02, 2023
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Jun 06, 2023
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| 3.70
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really liked it
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Mar 25, 2023
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Mar 07, 2023
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| 4.44
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Dec 18, 2023
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Nov 17, 2022
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| 3.81
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really liked it
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Nov 12, 2022
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Jul 10, 2022
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| 3.72
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really liked it
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Sep 15, 2022
not set
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Jun 21, 2022
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| 3.44
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really liked it
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May 05, 2022
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May 05, 2022
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| 3.55
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liked it
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Jul 18, 2022
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Apr 06, 2022
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| 3.92
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really liked it
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Oct 24, 2021
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Oct 09, 2021
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| 3.90
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really liked it
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Sep 30, 2021
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Oct 02, 2021
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| 3.73
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liked it
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Nov 03, 2020
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Sep 03, 2020
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| 4.24
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it was amazing
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Aug 19, 2020
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Jul 31, 2020
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| 3.98
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really liked it
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May 18, 2021
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Jan 28, 2020
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| 3.63
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it was ok
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Jul 30, 2020
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Dec 22, 2019
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| 3.77
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really liked it
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Dec 18, 2019
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Dec 14, 2019
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