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Ottawa Public Library
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Poppy Redfern and the Midnight MurdersPoppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders, Book
by Arlen, TessaBook - 2019Book, 2019
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Added Jul 21, 2020
ready2read's rating:
Added Feb 09, 2020
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Obvious similarities to BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty but not as good, not as witty, and not as edgy.
ready2read's rating:
Added Dec 09, 2019
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This is the tenth entry in this series and, as to be expected, the quality of each volume can vary. I thought this one was a little like an episode of a soap opera with a lot of different threads but very little resolution.
ready2read's rating:
Added May 04, 2019
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This is a series I've come to enjoy since the debut in 2015. With six books published in 4 years, the author knows how to accommodate her readers - I always get a little giddy when I see a new title being published. The author is Canadian and the books are set in post WW2 British Columbia. The protagonist is a British young lady who has chosen to settle in a small village, after the war, to distance herself from the craziness and confusion she experienced as an allied spy during the war. Does she succeed? - not really, hence the books.This is a series I've come to enjoy since the debut in 2015. With six books published in 4 years, the author knows how to accommodate her readers - I always get a little giddy when I see a new title being published. The author is Canadian and the…
ready2read's rating:
Added Apr 17, 2019
Comment:
I am a big fan of author Elly Griffiths - especially her Ruth Galloway series - but also the more recent 'Magic Men" books. I was thrilled to hear that she had released her first stand alone; it did not disappoint. It's like getting a little lesson on Gothic novels, in a novel with a modern setting.I am a big fan of author Elly Griffiths - especially her Ruth Galloway series - but also the more recent 'Magic Men" books. I was thrilled to hear that she had released her first stand alone; it did not disappoint. It's like getting a little…
ready2read's rating:
Added Apr 15, 2019
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Maureen Jennings - author of the acclaimed Detective Murdoch books - has launched a new series featuring a female private investigator set Toronto in 1936. The novel also features a guest appearance by a Detective Jack Murdoch, son of none other than Detective William Murdoch.Maureen Jennings - author of the acclaimed Detective Murdoch books - has launched a new series featuring a female private investigator set Toronto in 1936. The novel also features a guest appearance by a Detective Jack Murdoch, son of none other…
ready2read's rating:
Added Mar 04, 2019
Comment:
Good book. There will be an obvious comparison to the "Dublin Murder Squad" books of Tania French, and I believe it is justified. This novel is set in a Crime squad in Galway (Ireland) but it is not just the setting where there are similarities; the interpersonal relations, the office politics, the comradery and the treachery - and an interesting plot. I am looking forward to the next entry in the series.Good book. There will be an obvious comparison to the "Dublin Murder Squad" books of Tania French, and I believe it is justified. This novel is set in a Crime squad in Galway (Ireland) but it is not just the setting where there are similarities;…
ready2read's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2019
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This Australian author's specialty is setting her crime novels in an inhospitable environment. In "The Dry" the locale was a small town facing the worst drought in a century, and "Force of Nature" involved a group of people lost in the bushland of a mountain range during a retreat week-end. The "Lost Man" takes place in an area of the outback that is so isolated it takes three hours to drive to your next-door-neighbour's house. The temperature can hover around 45 degrees during the day and death comes quickly to those unprepared for the heat. The novel opens with two brothers standing over the body of the third. It is Christmas season, which is mid-summer in Australia (need to get used to that) , as the family come together for the holiday - and a funeral.This Australian author's specialty is setting her crime novels in an inhospitable environment. In "The Dry" the locale was a small town facing the worst drought in a century, and "Force of Nature" involved a group of people lost in the bushland of…
C.B. StrikeC.B. Strike, DVDThe Series
DVD - 2018DVD, 2018
ready2read's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2018
Comment:
The casting director has chosen actors who portray the main characters with perfection.
Cormoron is unconventionally handsome and Robin is strong yet vulnerable. The acting is superb. The only downside with filming these popular novels - any popular novels - you kind of eliminate the surprise factor. The episodes are very true (although condensed) to the source material so if you have read the novels then the whodunnit portion won't make you gasp. Still excellent and well worth the time.The casting director has chosen actors who portray the main characters with perfection.
Cormoron is unconventionally handsome and Robin is strong yet vulnerable. The acting is superb. The only downside with filming these popular novels - any…
ready2read's rating:
Added Nov 25, 2017
Comment:
did not like the ending
Added Nov 18, 2017
Similar Titles (1)
X CompanyX Company, DVDThe Complete First Season
DVD - 2015DVD, 2015
X CompanyX Company, DVDThe Complete Third Season
DVD - 2017DVD, 2017
Added Nov 18, 2017
Similar Titles (1)
Added Oct 26, 2017
Comment:
Scottish islands (or any island) can provide the ideal setting for mystery/thriller/suspense novels, the remoteness and inaccessibility adding excitement and uncertainty to the overall suspense. In this novel, a storm wallops Sanday (an Orkney Island) just as the complications and obstacles start to seem insurmountable. I have not read the other entries in this series but I was able to enjoy this as though it was a stand alone novel.Scottish islands (or any island) can provide the ideal setting for mystery/thriller/suspense novels, the remoteness and inaccessibility adding excitement and uncertainty to the overall suspense. In this novel, a storm wallops Sanday (an Orkney…
Added Aug 18, 2017
Comment:
This is a decent modern English village murder mystery with an interesting premise; black-sheep former resident (and son of town alcoholic) returns to home town, after fourteen years, with plans to open a detective agency. He's been working in London undercover for many of those years and something has happened to put him "under investigation" - but he's not telling anything to anyone. He shares office space with the owner of a dating agency but she is not thrilled to see him back in town, that is until she needs his help.This is a decent modern English village murder mystery with an interesting premise; black-sheep former resident (and son of town alcoholic) returns to home town, after fourteen years, with plans to open a detective agency. He's been working in…
Good Time ComingGood Time Coming, BookA Novel of the American Civil War
by Harris, C. S.Book - 2016Book, 2016
ready2read's rating:
Added Jul 17, 2017
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Great historical fiction novel - bad title. This is just a wonderful tale of a young girl named Armie growing up during the American civil war. Her life is turned up-side-down when her physician father leaves to join the war and soon her entire town consists of women, children and older men, as every able-bodied man has become a soldier. The war progresses and their life is beyond difficult. There are shortages of everything; food , medicine, shoes. The women learn to "make do" but the conditions continue to worsen. The homesteads are regularly attacked by Federal raiding parties and the women are often violated. It is during one of these raids that something happens that will change Armie's life forever.
Soldiers die but so do malnourished women and children. It is Armie, as narrator, who asks all the difficult questions as she tries to make sense of the misery surrounding her; misery caused by people against people. The "wise ones" in this story are her own mother and a former slave. This is very good historical fiction - never boring - ever.Great historical fiction novel - bad title. This is just a wonderful tale of a young girl named Armie growing up during the American civil war. Her life is turned up-side-down when her physician father leaves to join the war and soon her entire…
ready2read's rating:
Added Jun 06, 2017
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"We have to try and save him or we are as bad as they are," she said. And there it was.
Page 480, Large print edition,
One line can say so much.
ready2read's rating:
Added May 01, 2017
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The title of this novel is from the first line of a speech given by King George VI, on the day that it was announced that Britain was at war, September 3, 1939. Another line in that same speech states " for the second time in the lives of most of us, we are at war." This is certainly true for Maisie, a former WW1 battlefield nurse, the reader first met as she was opening her inquiry/psychology agency in 1929. (Maisie Dobbs, 2003). Her cases often had their roots in events surrounding the war and , as readers, we got to know her circle of friends, colleagues, and family. Maisie experienced tragedies and heartache in the following years but there was always a sense of hope. Sometimes that hope was represented by the children of her friends -- so it is especially sad to think that this new generation is just the right age to fight in his new war. The older generation expresses dread and incredulity, while the younger generation expresses youthful excitement. Immediately after the announcement of war, London was in chaos; children were evacuated and severe blackout laws were in place. But nothing much happened for eight months on land with the allies. Historians often refer to this time as the phony war or Churchill's own term - "the twilight war" (The seas were a different matter). It is during this London chaos that Maisie has to deal with a new case. ....thirteenth Maisie Dobbs novelThe title of this novel is from the first line of a speech given by King George VI, on the day that it was announced that Britain was at war, September 3, 1939. Another line in that same speech states " for the second time in the lives of most of…
ready2read's rating:
Added Mar 15, 2017
Comment:
A World War 2 standalone by the author of the " Molly Murphy" and "Her Royal Spyness" series.
The Language of the DeadThe Language of the Dead, BookA World War II Mystery
by Kelly, StephenBook - 2015Book, 2015
Added Feb 24, 2017
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This whodunnit is perfect for fans of "FOYLES WAR" or Maureen Jennings's TOM TYLER series. A reminder - as the German bombs rained down on England - that evil of a domestic nature still existed. This novel is followed by THE WAGES OF DESIRE (2016)
Similar Titles (2)
Added Feb 22, 2017
Comment:
This is an extensively researched novel about the tribulations of two American war time nurses - and the war itself. Almost from page 1 the stories are grim and the misery seems unending. The evil, depravation, and human suffering are a constant that is difficult, at times, to read. The author makes a good point of validating the contribution of women (in this case nurses), and depicting how sexism still interfered with their ability to do this noble job. Interesting but difficult to read.This is an extensively researched novel about the tribulations of two American war time nurses - and the war itself. Almost from page 1 the stories are grim and the misery seems unending. The evil, depravation, and human suffering are a constant…
Added Jan 06, 2017
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This is the same book as "Killer in King's Cove". Sometimes books get different names in U.K. and other places.
Added Jan 04, 2017
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This is the first of a series... I know this because the first chapter of the second installment is available as a preview at the end of the novel. I like the characters and the setting and I will happily read the next book when it comes out, but this first installment is not without some problems. I thought the author gave away too much too soon and I am hoping she will rein it in a little in her next adventure. I shall watch for the next book.This is the first of a series... I know this because the first chapter of the second installment is available as a preview at the end of the novel. I like the characters and the setting and I will happily read the next book when it comes out, but…
His Bloody ProjectHis Bloody Project, BookDocuments Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae : A Historical Thriller
by Burnet, Graeme MacraeBook - 2016Book, 2016
ready2read's rating:
Added Nov 18, 2016
Comment:
This novel was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize in 2016 and, although it didn't win, there has been oodles of publicity and interest. It is difficult to categorize but I will agree with the author who said "it is a novel about a crime rather than a crime novel". The multiple perspective format allows the reader to consider the often contradictory evidence and almost play detective. Whodunnit is clear. Roddy MacCrae, a seventeen-year-old crofter's son, willingly admits to the murders of three people in his small village in Scotland in 1869. But Why? The largest portion of the novel is the account, given by Roddy, of his grim and meager existence leading up to the murders - and then the actual murders. If there had ever been any light in his life it had been thanks to his mother. But the mother died and the local constable begins harassing the family. Roddy successfully conveys a feeling of utter hopelessness made worse by the local church's stance on "Providence" -- it is all God's will. There are sections on the trial, newspaper coverage, character assessments, and medical reports (including coroners) . A report from an expert on criminal minds might be darkly funny if it weren't so accurate to the times.
A complicated but satisfying novelThis novel was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize in 2016 and, although it didn't win, there has been oodles of publicity and interest. It is difficult to categorize but I will agree with the author who said "it is a novel about a crime rather…
ready2read's rating:
Added Oct 13, 2016
Comment:
This book had some thrills and suspense, some likable people and some despicable people, and a reasonably fast moving plot. But my blood pressure just about skyrocketed every time Fictional RCMP officer Sargent McPhail made an appearance. Come-on McPhail this is Canada. I don't think you need to wait around (days) for a warrant as two young women are held (sorry allegedly Held) against their will. You know the stuff - exigent circumstances, probable cause - um - like- entering a dwelling to prevent imminent bodily harm or death. That mother should have used some of her boxing expertise on that idiot. But again, this is the police force that brought us the Picton Scandal (that one was for real)
Confession; I think I am so emotional about the Trump scandals in the States that I should probably stay away from novels featuring the victimization of women for a while.This book had some thrills and suspense, some likable people and some despicable people, and a reasonably fast moving plot. But my blood pressure just about skyrocketed every time Fictional RCMP officer Sargent McPhail made an appearance. Come-on…
ready2read's rating:
Added Oct 09, 2016
Comment:
I am a huge fan of this author and I am pleased to say that this entry in her DUBLIN MURDER SQUAD series did not disappoint me. This is not an action packed sort of book - no car chases and bomb explosions - but it is well plotted and intriguing. The lead detectives in this case make an interesting pair with a lot of emphasis on the nature of police partnership.I am a huge fan of this author and I am pleased to say that this entry in her DUBLIN MURDER SQUAD series did not disappoint me. This is not an action packed sort of book - no car chases and bomb explosions - but it is well plotted and intriguing.…
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