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#31by31st
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OutsmartYourShelf
Amnesia | Sinclair Smith
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Pickpick

Re-reading this again, I stand by my 2018 judgment of it being just an okay read. It's quite dark in some parts for the age range, there's the death of a bird (not graphic thankfully) & a physical fight & chase scene near the end, but also rather predictable. I've amended the rating up slightly to 3.5🌟

16 likes1 comment
review
OutsmartYourShelf
Livid: A Scarpetta Novel | Patricia Cornwell
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Pickpick

The first few chapters were hard going due to the obnoxious prosecutor... The overarching plot was good & I particularly liked how the different crime scenes were eventually tied together.... It just seemed a little clinical & little familiar - the machinations of a boss who dislikes her, earlier cases now under revision - you would think Scarpetta had earned a little trust & respect by now. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf I'll keep reading these as long as they keep being released, but I feel they've lost the heart & soul of what they were originally. I've re-read the first five or six books many times, but I'm not sure I will re-read the later ones as often. 3.5🌟

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK/Sphere, for the opportunity to read an ARC. #NetGalley

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4804678152
2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼👻🧡 2y
19 likes3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Mehso-so

If you've ever since the film with Ralph Fiennes & Rachel Weisz, then you'll pretty much have the gist of what happens. If you haven't - then please watch it, it's a great film. There are one or two glaring differences between the book & the film but the main characters of Justin & Tessa were played pretty much spot on by Fiennes & Weisz, & the ending was kept true to the book. (Continued)

OutsmartYourShelf The book itself could have been about 100 pages shorter & probably would have been the better for it........Overall, good but characters a bit too loquacious, 3🌟

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1586168043

+2556 pts #OctoberBookBingo #OctoberTeamReadingChallenge #BooktrovertBingo #Thrillathon #20in4 (for last 200 pages) #BodyCountBingo #StabbyBingo #31by31st #Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter

2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🐈‍⬛🧡 2y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

As I started reading this, it soon became apparent that in my snap judgment of whether to request to read this book or not, I'd mistaken the Elizabeth Blackwell in the title for Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female medical doctor on the General Medical Council's register in 1859. No matter, this Elizabeth Blackwell's story is just as interesting. (Continued in comments)

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5063735341

OutsmartYourShelf Overall I enjoyed reading about Elizabeth, even though at times it was infuriating that she was basically the breadwinner but still at the behest of her husband. The narrative kept my attention & I was invested to find out what happened, but some aspects felt underwritten,.......& I thought the ending was rather abrupt. 3.5🌟

My thanks to publishers, Bloodhound Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🐈‍⬛🧡 2y
26 likes3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
Untitled | Unknown
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Panpan

Disappointing read.

Review to follow.

27 likes5 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
Close to Midnight | Mark Morris
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Mehso-so

A mixed bag really. Standouts were 'Flat 19' by Jenn Ashworth (when cloning yourself goes horribly wrong), 'Collagen' by Seanan McGuire (the quest for beauty has unforeseen consequences, & 'The Nine of Diamonds' by Carole Johnstone (very cleverly done tale about a company whose business is revenge, & my favourite story in the book). 3⭐

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Flame Tree Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. #NetGalley

19 likes4 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

Well this was a bit different! Split into 3 sections with the first giving the background of the case & the main players with alternative scenarios of what could have happened. The second section details the evidence of the case. At the end of the second section, the reader can register their decision online as to whether they believe, based on the evidence, that Camb was guilty of misadventure, guilty of murder, or guilty of manslaughter. (Cont.)

OutsmartYourShelf The third section then gives the author's view of what they think happened & it pretty much tallied with mine. Now the reconstructions may have been slightly melodramatic in parts, but I thought it was an intriguing way to approach a true crime case without being ghoulish. Apparently there are several other books in the series, & I plan on reading those too. 4🌟

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4627662935

(edited) 2y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼💜🐈‍⬛ 2y
30 likes4 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
The Nine: Origins | Kes Trester
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed reading this. It's a great concept with the different abilities which range from telekinesis & necromancy, to empaths, those who can shape the material world around them & more. I thought the worldbuilding was rather good & the storyline flowed nicely. On the whole, I liked the main character, although her flip-flopping between her feelings for Nicholas & her attraction to Jessie was a bit tiresome. (Continued in comments)

OutsmartYourShelf (I like Nicholas but I found Jessie a bit sleazy & off-putting). It looks like this might a long-running series but I am undecided on whether or not to read any more. Not because I didn't enjoy it & the ending to this one indicates that the ability storyline is about to take an intriguing turn, but I'm not sure I could take several books on the love triangle between Blake/Nicholas/Jessie. 2y
OutsmartYourShelf If you like that kind of thing & enjoy paranormal fantasy books, then give this one a go. I was pleasantly surprised. 4🌟 Out 11 Oct 2022.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Owl Hollow Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. #NetGalley

#OctoberBookBingo #OctoberTeamReadingChallenge #PromptMaze #BooktrovertBingo #31by31st #Spookoween2022 #Thrillathon #Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter @clwojick @TheAromaofbooks @Catsandbooks@TheSpineView

+1911
2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
TheSpineView Awesome 2y
Catsandbooks Hooray! 👻 2y
20 likes5 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

I mostly enjoyed reading this but I didn't get the sense of Rulloff being some criminal mastermind. Whilst he was undoubtedly extremely intelligent, in my view a great deal of Rulloff's 'genius', like Jack the Ripper, was down to the luck of committing his crimes before the advent of forensic science & the widespread use of photography. (Continued in comments)

OutsmartYourShelf Furthermore, I know doctors in the nineteenth-century had no concept of the character of psychopaths, but it was maddening to read about person after person falling for his schtick. It also became a little repetitive in places. Overall it was interesting but I was left feeling a little disappointed. 3.5🌟

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Icon Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC. #NetGalley
2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
TheSpineView Awesome 2y
Catsandbooks Terrific! 🐈‍⬛ 2y
23 likes5 comments