Tag Archives: mystery

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Last Seen Leaving – Caleb Roehrig

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Book Title: Last Seen Leaving (Standalone)
Author:     Caleb Roehrig
Number of pages:  272

Synopsis:

last seen leaving - caleb roehrig - book coverFlynn’s girlfriend has disappeared. How can he uncover her secrets without revealing his own?

Flynn’s girlfriend, January, is missing. The cops are asking questions he can’t answer, and her friends are telling stories that don’t add up. All eyes are on Flynn—as January’s boyfriend, he must know something.

But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January’s disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself.

(re: Goodreads @ Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Premise feels like YA Gone Girl
– Character driven novel mainly as it concerns the protagonist; can be considered more of a contemporary LGBTQIA+ centric story
– Secondary characters and their development doesn’t really exist (re: best friend), also the police are completely useless
– Even if you read with skepticism, the expectation versus reality of the resolution may not be one every reader will enjoy

Initial Thoughts

I forgot to review this in a timely matter.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of LAST SEEN LEAVING from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] Last Seen Leaving – Caleb Roehrig →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands

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Book Title: Mark of the Plague (The Blackthorn Key #02)
Author:     Kevin Sands
Number of pages:  544

Synopsis:

mark of the plague - kevin sands - book coverThe Black Death has returned to London, spreading disease and fear through town. A mysterious prophet predicts the city’s ultimate doom—until an unknown apothecary arrives with a cure that actually works. Christopher’s Blackthorn shop is chosen to prepare the remedy. But when an assassin threatens the apothecary’s life, Christopher and his faithful friend Tom are back to hunting down the truth, risking their lives to untangle the heart of a dark conspiracy.

And as the sickness strikes close to home, the stakes are higher than ever before…

(re: Goodreads @ Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Can be read standalone (not recommended for context however)
– Layered mystery with less reliance on puzzles (though there are some) and a greater emphasis on antagonists to push the conflict
– Addition of a female secondary character; no romance
– First POV narrative can sometimes read as though protagonist is withholding information from the reader
– Pigeon feels.

Initial Thoughts

My body was not ready for pigeon feels.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Mark of the Plague from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands →

2016, alternatives, Movie Review

[Alternatives] – Movie Review – Sicario (2015)

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Alternatives is the tagline feature for other forms of entertainment outside of discussing literature. These posts may encompass television, movies, games, and music with a randomized flavour of the moment approach to each post.

Alternatives
Movie Review – Sicario (2015)

Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Duration: 121 Minutes
Directed By: Denis Villeneuve
Written By: Taylor Sheridan

An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

Continue reading [Alternatives] – Movie Review – Sicario (2015) →