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R13: SS Team 10 - Just 10 More Minutes
Selection Post Week 2Book: The Pumpkin Seed Massacre
Author: Susan Slater
Pages: 328
Qualification: #1 in Ben Pecos Mystery series
Also qualifies for � 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
Alternate: Cover Item - Sun/Moon
Selection Post - Week 2
Firefly Lane by Kristin HannahPages: 508
Qualification: Book #1 of Firefly Lane series
Also qualifies for Bonus - Read a book with >500 pages
Laila Jane wrote: "Selection Post - Week 2Firefly Lane by Kristin HannahPages: 508
Qualification: Book #1 of Firefly Lane series
Also qualifies for Bonus - Read a bo..."
Have you watched the Netflix series? I havent read this book but will be interested to read your review.
Selection Post:Week:2
Spot: 15 (Alt: Cover Item - Sun/Moon)
The Murder at the Vicarage
by Agatha Christie
How it fits:Miss Marple#1
Pages: 380
Review Post:Week:2
Spot: 15 (Alt: Cover Item - Sun/Moon)
The Murder at the Vicarage
by Agatha Christie
How it fits:Miss Marple#1
Pages: 380
Finished: 30/01/2022
Rating: ★★★★�
Review:
It’s Miss Marple’s first appearance.
The narrator in the book is the vicar, Leonard Clement, and Miss Marple is his nosy neighbour. Colonel Protheroe is one of those men nobody likes, so when he’s shot dead in the vicar’s study the list of suspects is long.
As the book goes on, Leonard finds himself investigating alongside her, and gradually gains an appreciation of the intelligence and strength of character. The plot is very good, with as much emphasis on alibis and timings as on motives. I enjoyed it throughout.
Completion Post Week 2Book: The Pumpkin Seed Massacre
Author: Susan Slater
Pages: 328
Finished: Jan 30 2022
Rating: ★★★★
Qualification: #1 in Ben Pecos Mystery series
Also qualifies for � 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
Alternate: Cover Item - Sun/Moon
Review: This was a new author to me. Was on KU. I like discovering new authors. This was a well written story with lots of subplots and characters. I liked learning about Navajo life. What I found very interesting was the science involved in the murders. I am glad there are more books in the series as I want to know more about the relationship of Ben & Julie.
Rosina wrote: "Laila Jane wrote: "Selection Post - Week 2Firefly Lane by Kristin HannahPages: 508
Qualification: Book #1 of Firefly Lane series
Also qualifies fo..."
I haven't yet, but if I like the book I plan to watch it
//raises handI'm still here but I'm not going to do a deciding post because the last time I did that I ended up reading something entirely different.
Hi my computer has issues and is in the shop getting its attitude readjusted. That said I can’t do a pretty post but I am reading Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke. It is #1 in the series.
Sha - that’s fine. I have trouble deciding what to read next sometimes too.Joyce - I’m sorry you’re having issues with your computer. I’m so dependent on mine, I’d go crazy without it even for a few days. Thanks for the update
Joyce wrote: ".... is in the shop getting its attitude readjusted. ..." Ha Ha
Completion Post Week: 2
Spot: 15
Book: Banking on Him by Lexy Timms
Read: 2/2/22
Pages: 185
Qualification: 1st book in series
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: The heart wants what the heart wants. You can help how you feel, even if you know loving your enemy is wrong. Can’t wait to see what happens between Kirk and Bethany after the first book ending with him hating her. I don’t know how she will be able to fix the situation and get him to both forgive and trust her again
Review PostWeek 02
Spot: 15 (Alternate: Cover Item: Sun/Moon)
Cover:
Book and Author: Dead Things by Stephen Blackmoore
Date Read: 03 Feb 2022
Pages (Min 140 pages): 295
Qualification: Book #1 in Eric Carter
Rating: 2/5
Review:
03 Feb, 2022
1. Necromancer gets news that his sister has been killed, goes back to the hometown he abandoned, and catches up with old friends and enemies while he tries to solve her murder.
2. Sigh. You know, I did actually pick this book up because of how similar the premise (and the cover!) is to the Dresden Files (because DF left a hole and a lot of complicated emotions in my heart on the way out). Turns out it was similar to DF, but only in terms of the bad bits and none of the good bits.
3. And okay, that's kinda mean. There are things in here that are good in concept if not execution. The opening was actually pretty good, but then it turns out to have nothing to do with the rest of the story. The murder cab driver was a great concept, but it got wrapped up too soon and too neat, with barely any moral quandries and even fewer creepy atmospheric shit- such a wasted opportunity. Everything about that weird bar place where Eric goes into. The death echo thing (view spoiler), even if it got tarnished by the relatively blase reactions to her death.
Eric's swiss army knife of tattoos could be a magic system by itself and honestly should have been. The watch is great- too bad it's only there in one scene and gets forgotten immediately after. There are also a few of nice one-liners (“The thing I hate most about skeletons is you can never tell when they're smiling.� I love it.) here and there. But the good stuff is not really good enough to counter the bad (or worse) boring stuff.
4. The magic system is not soft as much as it is undefined, and that poses a bit of a problem. A lot of the tension in the book comes from Eric being in moral peril (because uh- it's kinda hard to actually buy that Eric and Lucy had any kind of relationship at all), and that sort of scene is no fun without clear limits. Well, I suppose it could be, but not the way the scenes play out here. I mean, you have to have something to keep my interest, damn it. The plot is pretty generic, mystery-wise. The magic system is all over the place. And the characters are pretty meh.
5. Hard to find yourself invested in a bunch of people whose relationships with each other seem really shallow. Alex and Eric had the beginnings of an interesting dynamic, but it was not developed at all. There are two women in here- one is Eric's ex he;s pining over and the other is some girl who randomly has sex with him twice (view spoiler)
Eric's dead sister a prop. She's not even a plot device. She's a prop. There are times when she's used for pathos which had me going "maybe I'd care a little more if anyone actually convinced me she mattered to them."
One actually interesting character in this was Ellis (traumatic backstory, reasons for why he is the way he is, actual character progression) and he was there in barely a handful of scenes (view spoiler). Boo.
Santa Muerte was another interesting character. Delightfully creepy! Her scenes were some of the best bits of the book. I do love a good puppetmaster. But that reveal in the last chapter just left me with some mixed feelings. Sortof. Still better than the rest of the book though.
I'm not even going to talk about Eric. He's a discount wannabe Harry Dresden, with none of the morals, none of the charm, and more of the sleaze.
6. The worldbuilding with all the ghosts was also one of the better parts of the book (More Ellis! Give me some ghost academicians!), but it's not a major part of said book so eh.
7. There's also a lot of gore and look- I don't really object to gore and like it a lot of the time. But the gore here mostly came across as senseless. But admittedly, I was too irritated by the story after a point to make reliable emotional judgements.
8. Anyway. Some interesting ideas and elements, made meh by subpar character relationships and not enough emotional investment put into the plot. Which would be fine for a mystery story, but this book is clearly trying to be something deeper, and it does not work.
Completion PostWeek 2- Spot 15
Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke
Date Read: 2/3/2022
Pages: 299
Qualification: #1 in the Not Dead Yet Series
Rating: 4/5
Review: Wes Cooper is a not quite dead person. He somehow can be both corporal and a ghost. He is in the business of "finding" things, aka stealing them for his clients.
His latest job winds up with a dead person and his old flame Hudson Rojas is the detective on the scene.
I really enjoyed the romance byplay between Wes and Hudson but it did not overwhelm the story and the mystery. The world building was really well explained. I am going to continue this series.
Completion PostWeek #2
Spot: 15
Firefly Lane by Kristin HannahDate Read: 02/03/22
Pages: 508
Qualification: Book #1 in Firefly Lane series
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I don't know what to say about this one. It was so long, but so good, and my first 5 star book of the year. The story is about Tully and Kate, and their friendship that spans 30 years. It was such a realistic portrayal of a female friendship that has lasted that long, the ups and downs and everything in between.
When I was trying to explain what the book was about to my husband, that was all I could think to say. And he looked at me like I was crazy because I was so invested in the book and had a hard time putting it down, but there is just something about Kristin Hannah's writing that just sucks me in.
This isn't a light book. And I recommend it only if you're looking for a good cry. It is definitely a book I'll be thinking about for a long time.
@Laila, I guess we can ask for the free pass (?).
Thanks for the reminder! I'll make sure to mention that in our check in post
I will be up past midnight tonight, so I'll have our next roll posted around then
Week 3
Previous Spot: 15
Roll: 5 + 3
New Spot: 23
Bonus Points
Earned: 2 + 1 Free Pass
Used: 0
Books That Qualify:
#2 in series
#3 in series
#23 in series
Alternate: South America
Completion Posts
Laila Jane - Rising Tides (Chesapeake Bay #2) - Completion Post
Joyce - Flesh and Bone (Body Farm #2) - Completion Post
Cindy - Price of Passion (Billionaire Banker #2) - Completion Post
Sha - The Missing Page (Page & Sommers #2) - Completion Post
Suman - Pinball, 1973 (The Rat #2) - Completion Post
Rosina - Death by Baguette: A Valentine's Day Murder in Paris (Travel Can Be Murder #2) - Completion Post
Selection Post Week 3
Spot: 23
Book: Price of Passion
Author: Lexy Timms
Pages: 185
Qualification: #2 of series
Selection PostWeek 3
Spot 23
Book: Flesh and Bone
Author: Jefferson Bass
Pages: 361
Qualification: #2 in Body Farm series
Selection Post - Week 3
Rising Tides by Nora RobertsPages: 360
Qualification: Book #2 of Chesapeake Bay series
Selection Post - Week 3
by Jennifer S. AldersonPages: 200 pages
Qualification: Book #2 of Travel Can Be Murder
Review PostWeek 03
Spot: 23 (Alternate: South America)
Cover:
Book and Author: The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian
Date Read: 09 Feb 2022
Pages (Min 140 pages): 236
Qualification: Book #2 in Page & Sommers
Rating: 4/5
Review:
09 Feb 2022
1. I think I know what Cat Sebastian is trying to do with this series. She's using all the motifs and tropes and settings that can be found in an Agatha Christie novel, but making everything a lot queerer. And you know what, I can appreciate that.
2. The last one was the murder in the sleepy English town (my favorite setting by far) and I admit I'm a little miffed we didn't keep solving murders in the town. This is mostly because I have fallen in complete and utter love with Wendy, who was one of the side characters. She's wonderful. I would marry Wendy in a heartbeat and I am not a marrying person. Wendy had one scene in this book and that scene contributed nothing to the plot but I was just so happy to see her. My baby.
3. *cough* Anyway. Unassuming country doctor is summoned to his Uncle's will-reading. His uncle's will leaves the estate to whoever can solve the mystery of his daughter's disappearance from 20 years ago. The doctor and his assorted relatives are joined by his secret agent boyfriend and everyone goes around talking to people and trying to recreate the day of the disappearance. Standard Christie fare.
4. What is un-Christie about this is the focus on the main relationship. James and Leo (the doctor and the secret agent) are just so incredibly soothing? They are such a lovely couple- so little drama, so much support and comfort. There are just so many wonderful little lines that show how much they care for each other, all in some really low-key, domestic ways. So very soothing. I ship these two. I want them to both be wrapped up in scarves and blankets nodding off in front of a fire on a cold night. They deserve it.
5. I was not expecting that resolution to the disappearance. I thought for sure we were (view spoiler) and I am so very glad we did not. Rose (view spoiler) was an excellent way to resolve the whole thing. 10/10. Let me have my triumphs.
6. Content warning-ish for some really insensitive discussions of mental illness and suicide. There are no bad doctors worse than asshole psychiatrists.
Completion PostWeek 3
Spot 23
Book: Flesh and Bone
Author: Jefferson Bass
Pages: 361
Qualification: #2 in Body Farm series
Finished: 2/5/22
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Bill Brockton is the head forensic anthropologist at the Body Farm where they study decomposing bodies. He is recently widowed and finds himself falling for a colleague. They are trying to solve a horrific murder together. Bill and Jess will find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer.
This is the 2nd in the series and I am enjoying the world of the Body Farm and Bill trying to get over the death of his wife and move on. The story moves very quickly. I was surprised to find it over so quickly. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Completion PostWeek: 3
Spot: 23
Book: Price of Passion by Lexy Timms
Read: 2/9/22
Pages: 185
Qualification: 2nd book in series
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: All I can say is Kirks mom is one evil lady! I was hoping Kirk and Bethany were gonna be able to work out there problems and work together to figure out what really happened between their parents all those years ago but there doesn’t seem to be any headway there. Now that Kirk see what type of person his mother really is I wonder what he will do.
Selection Post:Week:3
Spot: 23(Alt:ÌýÌýSouth America)
Pinball, 1973²ú²âÌýHaruki Murakami
How it fits:The Rat Series#2
Pages: 215
Review Post:Week:3
Spot: 23(Alt:ÌýÌýSouth America)
Pinball, 1973²ú²âÌýHaruki Murakami
How it fits:The Rat Series#2
Pages: 215
ÌýFinished: 10/02/2022
Rating: ★★�
Review:
The second novella ofÌýThe Rat Series is not thatÌýengrossing. Although it basically finishes the groundwork for the rest of the series.Ìý This simple, short novel digs deeper into Rat's past and the strangenessÌýof the unnamed narrator. It was sort of an 'OK' read.
Completion PostWeek #3
Spot: 23
Rising Tides by Nora RobertsDate Read: 02/10/22
Pages: 360
Qualification: Book #2 in Chesapeake Bay series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I liked this book better than the first one. I felt like the relationship was more natural between Ethan and Grace and I loved their interactions. I was not a fan of the last 25% of the book, when after being together for what seems like only a week, Grace is already jumping to the conclusion that Ethan is going to propose - on their first official date!
Once again, my favorite part about these books is the interactions between the brothers, and how Seth is slowly becoming one of them.
Completion PostWeek #3
Spot: 23
Death by Baguette: A Valentine's Day Murder in Paris by Jennifer S. Alderson
Date read: Feb 10 2022
Pages: 200
Qualification: Book #2 in Travel Can be Murder series
Rating: 3 stars
This was a quick read. I enjoyed reading about the tourist sites in Paris. I have never been to Paris but I would love to go and see the sites. I really enjoyed the history of the Palace of Versailles and the gardens.
The mystery part of the story was quick to solve. I will probably seek out others in the series to see where they go.
Week 4
Previous Spot: 23
Roll: 3 + 3
New Spot: 29
Bonus Points
Earned: 2 + 1 Free Pass
Used: 0
Books That Qualify:
#2 in series
#9 in series
#29 in series
Alternate: MC is older than 60
Completion Posts
Laila Jane - Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) - Completion Post
Joyce - The Princess and the Fangirl (Once Upon a Con #2) - Completion Post
Cindy - The Way We Break (The Story of Us #2) - Completion Post
Sha - Grim Shadows (Roaring Twenties #2) - Completion Post
Suman - A Caribbean Mystery (Miss Marple #9/Alt: MC older than 60) - Completion Post
Rosina - Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2) - Completion Post
Bonus
� Valentine's Bonus: Romance book on 02/11 roll - Completed by Cindy; Credit also given to Joyce and Laila
Selection Post Week 4
Spot: 29
Book: The Way We Break
Author: Cassia Leo
Pages: 368
Qualification: #2 of series
Selection PostWeek 4
Spot 29
book: The Princess and the Fangirl
Author: Ashley Poston
Pages: 320
Qualification #2 Once upon a Con
Selection PostWeek 4
Spot 29
book: Fool Moon
author: Jim Butcher
Pages 432
Qualification #2 The Dresden Files
Selection Post - Week 4
Sustained by Emma ChasePages: 305
Qualification: Book #2 of The Legal Briefs series
Completion Post Week 4 Spot 29
Book: The Princess and the Fangirl
Author: Ashley Poston
Pages: 320 pages
Finished: 2/12/22
Rating 5 stars
Qualification : #2 in series "Once upon a Con"
Review:
This was a fun second installment of the series. Imogene Loveless looks amazingly like the actress Jessica Stone who is the Princess Amara in her favorite science fiction show. (view spoiler) This was a nice light read and will look forward to the next in the series.
//raises handI have an exam on the 27th and the next week might be full of exam prep. I can probably manage to read the required book (reading is stress relief) but I'm not entirely sure about it. Should I request an exemption to be safe?
Sha wrote: "//raises handI have an exam on the 27th and the next week might be full of exam prep. I can probably manage to read the required book (reading is stress relief) but I'm not entirely sure about it..."
Yes, I found it to be a safer option. At the end, if you manage to read it, you can always post the review.
Yes, I would go ahead and request an exemption. That way you don’t have to stress about it if you’re not able to read. I think you just have to DM Denise
Mod
Completion PostWeek 4 Spot 29
Book: Fool Moon
Author: Jim Butcher
Pages: 432 pages
Finished: Feb 17 2022
Rating 4 stars
Qualification : #2 in series The Dresden Files
Review:
I really enjoy reading UF and especially when it is done well. This time Harry is confronted with some grisly murder scenes and along with Murphy try to figure out who is doing all the killing. This had werewolves and they were super duper werewolves. There was a loup garou and then the Hexenwolves who both seemed to have super strength and killing abilities. There was political power and corruption in the police/FBI. A very enjoyable read.
Selection Post:Week:4
Spot: 29(Alt:ÌýÌýMC is older than 60)
A Caribbean Mystery]²ú²âÌýAgatha Christie
How it fits:Miss Marple#9,ÌýÌýMC is older than 60
Pages: 224
Review Post:Week:4
Spot: 29(Alt:ÌýÌýMC is older than 60)
A Caribbean Mystery²ú²âÌýAgatha Christie
How it fits:Miss Marple#9,ÌýÌýMC is older than 60
Pages: 224Ìý
Finished: 16/02/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
In this mysteriousÌýventure of Miss Marple, relocated from her usual setting, of villages and vicarages. SheÌýsuffers from rheumatism and her nephew arranges a trip to the Caribbean islands for her.Ìý HereÌýÌýMiss Marple, engagges herself in solving the murder mystry of aÌýMajor Palgrave.ÌýÌýWhile Hercule Poirot is still my favorite of Agatha Christie's detectives, Miss Marple is starting to grow on me.ÌýI enjoyed the book thoroughly.ÌýÌý
Completion PostWeek: 4
Spot: 29
Book: The Way We Break by Cassia Leo
Read: 2/17/22
Pages: 368
Qualification: 2nd book in series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Rory and Houston just keep running into problem after problem! Why can’t they just have their happily ever after already! Rory’s way of thinking through out the book made me a little mad just with her way of thinking and how it seemed like she was just running away from her problems but I understand why she was behaving like that but that doesn’t mean I have to like it! I loved Kenny and his personality through out the book and I’m just really wanting Rory and Houston to have their HEA!!
***Valentines Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a romance book for the roll on 2/11
Completion PostWeek #4
Spot: 29
Sustained by Emma ChaseDate Read: 02/17/22
Pages: 305
Qualification: Book #2 in The Legal Briefs series
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I picked this book mainly because it fit the tasks for other challenges I'm doing. I wasn't expecting much, but I honestly enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. I loved Jake's interactions with Chelsea and all the kids and just how seamlessly he fit into their family. I got a little annoyed with him towards the end when he predictably had to doubt himself and started pulling away, but I'm glad his friends got him to open up his eyes and see that he was being stupid.
Sha did you have a book for this week? The exemption is for next week right?
Yes sorry things got hectic here give ma an jour please? I was supposed to have finished yesterday but book isnt working with me
No problem =) Just wanted to make sure you had a book and we didn't have to use the free pass
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
A Murder Is Announced (other topics)A Murder Is Announced (other topics)
Eighth Grave After Dark (other topics)
His Last Bow (other topics)
Succubus Heat (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Agatha Christie (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Ilona Andrews (other topics)
Arthur Conan Doyle (other topics)
Richelle Mead (other topics)
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Previous Spot: 10
Roll: 4 + 1
New Spot: 15
Books That Qualify:
Standalone
#1 in series
#5 in series
#15 in series
Alternate: Cover Item - Sun/Moon
Completion Posts
Laila Jane - Firefly Lane (Firefly Lane #1) - Completion Post
Joyce - Not Dead Yet (Not Dead Yet #1) - Completion Post
Cindy - Banking on Him (Billionaire Banker #1) - Completion Post
Sha - Dead Things (Eric Carter #1) - Completion Post
Suman - The Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple #1) - Completion Post
Rosina - The Pumpkin Seed Massacre (Ben Pecos Mystery #1/Alt: Sun on cover) - Completion Post
Bonus
� 2 in 1 - Completed by Rosina - Alternate #15: Sun on cover
� >500 pages - Completed by Laila - 508 pages
Free Pass earned this week