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When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed by Nicholas Litchfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The riveting tale of an actor unwittingly drawn into an obsessed director's dangerous vision for an action/adventure cult film.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The riveting tale of an actor unwittingly drawn into an obsessed director's dangerous vision for an action/adventure cult film.
When the Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed is Nicholas Litchfield's riveting story of a struggling Hollywood actor cast as the "career-making" lead in a South American director's upcoming action/adventure film. Enticed by his agent's claims that this is sure to be his break-out role and the director's early successes, actor Dominic Graves soon finds himself heading to Uruguay, anticipating 10 weeks on set in a beautiful seaside location. However, the amenable location may end up being the only promise fulfilled of the entire experience.
Dominic Graves is a 31-year-old, five-year veteran of the Hollywood scene, but with only a handful of B-movie credits to his name, his signature megawatt smile is starting to dim. His agent, Bernie Finkelman, a horrid and abusive old man with rumored ties to the Mafia, is no longer an active advocate for Dominic's career and has sold him a few "bill of goods" jobs in the past, so he's understandably wary. However, Dominic, who has earned a reputation for hard drinking and carousing while on a project, starts drinking on the flight to Uruguay and takes some of his worst, self-destructive habits with him into this new opportunity, negatively impressing the other members of the cast and crew. Ignatio Martinez, the vision-driven and cliche-spouting director, only contributes to Dominic's troubles with pre-dawn to late-night workdays, no downtime, and numerous unnecessary takes of scene after scene after scene. Add in a leading lady with a history with the director and desperate for a big career, who clings to whomever she currently deems most beneficial to her goal, including her new leading man, and the filming becomes a nightmare. Scores of unhappy film industry professionals are trapped working on a project that quickly begins to look like it will ever see distribution.The plot is well-paced, with an absolute gem of an opening that guaranteed my continued reading. Dominic is an engaging character, and I couldn't look away as he immediately began making a series of unfortunate behavioral choices and what he experienced once on set. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of film creation were interesting, and the discussions around the practical aspects, especially the safety concerns for those involved, were fascinating. The suspense built steadily, and I had a constant, fearful anticipation of what would happen next and whether or not Dominic would even survive principal photography.
I recommend WHEN THE ACTOR INSPIRED CHAOS AND BLOODSHED to readers interested in tales of filmmaking gone awry.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
Cooking with Judith: Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating
Author:
Genres: Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Reference, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Reference, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Rarely do I give a cookbook without nutritional information five stars. However, this is something special. I'm in awe of it and have read it twice. I love everything about it. The recipes are easy to follow, with clear directions and color photos of the finished product.
This author specializes in creating dishes from ingredients found in her pantry; there's no need to rush to the store for unusual ingredients. Treat yourself and your guests by getting a copy of this book. Overall score = E.
This author specializes in creating dishes from ingredients found in her pantry; there's no need to rush to the store for unusual ingredients. Treat yourself and your guests by getting a copy of this book. Overall score = E.
my rating is a 3.5. i wanted to give it a 4 but the book left me wanting. it's a charming enough premise of a select group of commuters on a train line. there is overlap between these characters and it's creative and often poignant. as is true of other japanese novels i have read recently, there are always subtle and powerful messages threaded throughout, about finding ones way in the world through honesty and integrity and also standing up to bullies and unlovely people. perhaps essentially how to respect oneself and others. but i found the book a bit disjointed at times and i also cringed at some of the nastiness. it's an interesting adventure and very much details japanese culture, which i found very fascinating.
A Warm Place to Call (Demon's Story, Bk 1)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror
Book Type: Paperback
5 stars for A Warm Place to Call Home, an enjoyable story about a demon living a human life.
this is my favorite book of 2025 and who knows how far back. i was blown away by all of it. the narration was magnificent. the level of nature took me right there. in spite of the fact that this is a sad scary story about climate change, it is also a brilliant story about nature and resilience and the beauty that surrounds us, EVERY SINGLE DAY. and this goes for humans, too. might we stop and value our relationships more. might we care more tenderly for our loved ones. might we speak up and openly instead of hiding. so many things to ponder and take away. i love armchair adventure and this book really fits the bill. the characters are rich and complex. there is something for everyone but it is especially a book for readers who care about the earth and about our tender hearts. read this book!
Infamy: The Shocking Story of the Japanese American Internment in World War II
Author:
Genres: History, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: History, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Hardcover
I have read numerous books---histories, legal arguments, memoirs, etc.---about the Japanese-American incarceration during World War II, and thought I knew the whole story. But I was wrong. This book let me know the story we've been told was white-washed to provide us with a "feel good" history of one of our country's most despicable actions. An action that was supported at the highest levels, even from a president who had already exhibited his own racial prejudice toward Japanese-Americans in the 1920s. Who made a decision based on politics and not on the principles America stood for. You would think we would have learned from our treatment of black slaves, American Indians and German-American citizens, the latter during World War I. But we didn't.
When the Japanese-Americans on the West Coast were moved to concentration camps it was supposedly based on "military necessity." But most of the movement came after the Battle of Midway, an American victory which guaranteed that Imperial Japanese forces would not come anywhere near the Pacific Coast. And why were 120,000 Japanese-Americans on the Pacific Coast hurriedly forced from their homes and businesses, while 150,000 Japanese-Americans in Hawaii left untouched? It was due to the racial bigotry, jealously and greed of "white Americans" for the land and assets of the very productive Japanese-Americans.
Some of the statements documented here made by politicians and military leaders beggar the imagination in their stupidity. One of my favorites was, "There has been no sabotage in the last months since the war began. Which is proof it will happen." I kept wondering when some political idiot or newspaper would claim Japanese-Americans were eating people's pets. Almost all of the government bigots responsible for this great tragedy were never punished. In fact, many profited by being granted promotion in the military and political areas. And where was the American Civil Liberties Union? Its director, a friend of President Roosevelt, forbade its lawyers from defending the rights of the Japanese-Americans. But some ACLU lawyers offered their services to these Americans as private lawyers. Milton Eisenhower, General Dwight Eisenhower's younger brother, was first appointed director of the War Relocation Board. He soon found a way out of this position and recommended a friend to take over. When the friend asked if he should, Milton Eisenhower replied, "Only if you can sleep at night. I couldn't."
Once in the camps where the living conditions were deplorable, especially when compared to the POW camps German and Italian soldiers were kept in, many Japanese-Americans eventually turned from being pro-America to anti-America. This resulted in riots and killings by anti-American groups against pro-American groups in the camps. Then there were the numerous shootings of Japanese-Americans by their camp guards, often when the Japanese-American was just standing there. One camp guard was tried, but was found innocent of manslaughter. However, he was fined $1 for firing a government weapon without permission.
And it wasn't just in the United States, Canada treated its Japanese-Americans just as badly. And other countries in Latin and South America used the opportunity to divest themselves of Japanese nationals. At a time when our military forces were stretched to the limit, dozens of American military planes and hundreds of solders were sent to these counties to gather the Japanese nationals and bring them to camps in the U.S. Such stupidity!
I could continue, but I think you get the gist of this well documented book. It is a hard book to read, but it is well worth reading. The author is not a Japanese-American, but is a nationally recognized, award-winning journalist.
When the Japanese-Americans on the West Coast were moved to concentration camps it was supposedly based on "military necessity." But most of the movement came after the Battle of Midway, an American victory which guaranteed that Imperial Japanese forces would not come anywhere near the Pacific Coast. And why were 120,000 Japanese-Americans on the Pacific Coast hurriedly forced from their homes and businesses, while 150,000 Japanese-Americans in Hawaii left untouched? It was due to the racial bigotry, jealously and greed of "white Americans" for the land and assets of the very productive Japanese-Americans.
Some of the statements documented here made by politicians and military leaders beggar the imagination in their stupidity. One of my favorites was, "There has been no sabotage in the last months since the war began. Which is proof it will happen." I kept wondering when some political idiot or newspaper would claim Japanese-Americans were eating people's pets. Almost all of the government bigots responsible for this great tragedy were never punished. In fact, many profited by being granted promotion in the military and political areas. And where was the American Civil Liberties Union? Its director, a friend of President Roosevelt, forbade its lawyers from defending the rights of the Japanese-Americans. But some ACLU lawyers offered their services to these Americans as private lawyers. Milton Eisenhower, General Dwight Eisenhower's younger brother, was first appointed director of the War Relocation Board. He soon found a way out of this position and recommended a friend to take over. When the friend asked if he should, Milton Eisenhower replied, "Only if you can sleep at night. I couldn't."
Once in the camps where the living conditions were deplorable, especially when compared to the POW camps German and Italian soldiers were kept in, many Japanese-Americans eventually turned from being pro-America to anti-America. This resulted in riots and killings by anti-American groups against pro-American groups in the camps. Then there were the numerous shootings of Japanese-Americans by their camp guards, often when the Japanese-American was just standing there. One camp guard was tried, but was found innocent of manslaughter. However, he was fined $1 for firing a government weapon without permission.
And it wasn't just in the United States, Canada treated its Japanese-Americans just as badly. And other countries in Latin and South America used the opportunity to divest themselves of Japanese nationals. At a time when our military forces were stretched to the limit, dozens of American military planes and hundreds of solders were sent to these counties to gather the Japanese nationals and bring them to camps in the U.S. Such stupidity!
I could continue, but I think you get the gist of this well documented book. It is a hard book to read, but it is well worth reading. The author is not a Japanese-American, but is a nationally recognized, award-winning journalist.
Tell No Lies (Quinn & Costa, Bk 2)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Marcia C. reviewed on + 685 more book reviews
A very well plotted crime novel involving environmental issues, a possibly corrupt corporation, undercover work, innocent victims and FBI/local cooperation. Highly recommended.
This book is very hard to describe. It takes place in a world where smartphones, AI, and electricity are things of the past; destroyed by an angry planet. The story is in a sort of diary form written by a woman in a really weird cult. The images described are horrific and brutal. I was confused through much of the book (why are certain words always crossed out?) but it mostly came together in the end. I wouldn't say that it was an enjoyable read but it was an experience.
The Gelignite Gang (Inspector West, Bk 17)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
I've only read two other John Creasey books, which means I'm barely getting started. He was very prolific and was the author of over 600 novels. He wrote under 20+ pseudonyms, supposedly because book sellers complained he was dominating the "C" section of their bookshelves.
My first Creasy novels were in other series. This is my first in the Inspector West series. I finished it within 24 hours and when done, I closed the cover and said, "G-d d--n! That was good." I have a number of his other books, but doubt I'll finish all his novels, as I probably won't live that long.
My first Creasy novels were in other series. This is my first in the Inspector West series. I finished it within 24 hours and when done, I closed the cover and said, "G-d d--n! That was good." I have a number of his other books, but doubt I'll finish all his novels, as I probably won't live that long.
All Night Long
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Hardcover
Small town newspaper reporter Irene Stenson gets an email from her former best friend Pamela that she wants to meet with her- that she has information about her parents' murders from when they were teens. Irene doesn't want to return to her hometown, but she wants the information, so she goes.
Irene meets former marine special forces soldier Luke Danner when she rents a cabin at his summer rental place. He likes her sassiness, and can't help but follow her when she goes out to do her errands. When Irene goes to meet up with Pamela, she finds her dead in what appears to be a suicide. The police chief and Pamela's father (a senator who wants to run for president) are quick to want to sweep everything under the rug- which causes Irene to investigate with Luke's help.
I was entertained enough by the story to keep reading, but the whole time I just kept wondering, 'Do people really do this? Go out and investigate on their own?' Things eventually wrapped up with Irene figuring everything out and Luke having to save her from the story's villain- typical romantic suspense story. Not a bad afternoon read.
Irene meets former marine special forces soldier Luke Danner when she rents a cabin at his summer rental place. He likes her sassiness, and can't help but follow her when she goes out to do her errands. When Irene goes to meet up with Pamela, she finds her dead in what appears to be a suicide. The police chief and Pamela's father (a senator who wants to run for president) are quick to want to sweep everything under the rug- which causes Irene to investigate with Luke's help.
I was entertained enough by the story to keep reading, but the whole time I just kept wondering, 'Do people really do this? Go out and investigate on their own?' Things eventually wrapped up with Irene figuring everything out and Luke having to save her from the story's villain- typical romantic suspense story. Not a bad afternoon read.
Kelly O. (KellyWilloughby) reviewed on + 221 more book reviews
Very good story of sisters who parted ways but have found their way back to being family. Kept me interested with the story's continued building.
The Round House (P.S.)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
I have read several of Erdrich's novels including her 2021 Pulitzer Prize winning The Night Watchman and always find them to be vivid portrayals of Native American life. The Round House is in my opinion one of her best. It won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2012 and follows the story of 13-year-old Native American Joe Coutts whose mother Geraldine is brutally attacked and raped in 1988 on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota. Geraldine is in shock and is very reluctant to tell what happened to the police or her family. Her husband, Bazil, is a tribal judge who uses his past experience and cases to try to determine who the perpetrator may be. But Joe becomes frustrated with the investigation and sets out to get his own answers along with his friends, Cappy, Zack, and Angus.
The novel is a coming of age story involving Joe and his friends as they try to determine the events of Geraldine's attack. The novel is also full of memorable characters ranging from the bad to the spiritual to the comical. Mooshum is an elder of the tribe who tells stories of the Ojibwe including some while he is sleeping. Linda Wishkob was born as a twin with a birth deformity whose white parents didn't want her so she was adopted by an Indian family and who later donates a kidney to save the life of her despicable brother. Then there are the elder women including Grandma Ignatia who are full of humor and bawdy tales of sex. And Joe's Uncle Whitey, the owner of a gas station whose parter Sonja is a former stripper who Joe is very attracted to and who treats him like a son.
But the main focus of the novel is indigenous reservation judicial law which hinders justice because tribal governments can't prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes on their land. In the afterword to the novel Erdrich states "this book is set in 1988, but the tangle of laws that hinder prosecution of rape cases on many reservations still exists. . . 1 in 3 Native women will be raped in her lifetime; 86 percent of rapes and sexual assaults upon Native women are perpetrated by non-Native men; few are prosecuted."
This was overall a very powerful novel and at the same time it was very readable. It was insightful and compelling in its plea for justice for Native women. It also was a good coming of age story as well as providing insights into Ojibwe folklore. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Erdrich.
The novel is a coming of age story involving Joe and his friends as they try to determine the events of Geraldine's attack. The novel is also full of memorable characters ranging from the bad to the spiritual to the comical. Mooshum is an elder of the tribe who tells stories of the Ojibwe including some while he is sleeping. Linda Wishkob was born as a twin with a birth deformity whose white parents didn't want her so she was adopted by an Indian family and who later donates a kidney to save the life of her despicable brother. Then there are the elder women including Grandma Ignatia who are full of humor and bawdy tales of sex. And Joe's Uncle Whitey, the owner of a gas station whose parter Sonja is a former stripper who Joe is very attracted to and who treats him like a son.
But the main focus of the novel is indigenous reservation judicial law which hinders justice because tribal governments can't prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes on their land. In the afterword to the novel Erdrich states "this book is set in 1988, but the tangle of laws that hinder prosecution of rape cases on many reservations still exists. . . 1 in 3 Native women will be raped in her lifetime; 86 percent of rapes and sexual assaults upon Native women are perpetrated by non-Native men; few are prosecuted."
This was overall a very powerful novel and at the same time it was very readable. It was insightful and compelling in its plea for justice for Native women. It also was a good coming of age story as well as providing insights into Ojibwe folklore. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Erdrich.
Lowcountry Bombshell (Liz Talbot, Bk 2)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Laura B. reviewed on + 22 more book reviews
great read
Red Kingdom (Fairy Tale Retellings, Bk 2)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful enemies-to-lovers medieval romance and fairy tale reimagining.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful enemies-to-lovers medieval romance and fairy tale reimagining.
Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter is the second offering in the author's Fairy Tale Retellings series and features the elements of the Little Red Riding Hood story. However, this is assuredly a grown-up fable of danger, suspense, adult situations, and a well-done enemies-to-lovers slow-burn storyline, and definitely not one to share with the kiddies.
Princess Blanchette Winslowe is a wonderful heroine. Her upbringing has kept her ignorant of the truth of her father's cold, harsh reign, and she is completely taken by surprise when his knights, led by Sir Rowan Dietrich - the Black Wolf - stage an insurrection. She begins the story naive and sheltered, though compassionate and kind, but is abruptly forced to face a reality she never even suspected existed. The character experiences great growth and development as she discovers the truth about the state of her homeland and the people her father was meant to safeguard and nurture.Sir Rowan, formerly a friend and supporter of Blanchette's father, had been committed to wresting control of the kingdom from King Bartholomew without harming the innocent prince and princess of the castle. Still, unbeknownst to him, some of his soldiers had plans to take their rage and revenge out on anyone in the household. He's a principled man, valuing honor, justice, respect, and upholding the lord's responsibility for caring for the people of the land.
Together, Princess Blanchette and Sir Rowan are dynamite with a long, slow-burning fuse.The author's storytelling drew me right into their world and I practically inhaled this story - it was so good. The shocking opening attack on Winslowe Castle literally changed my plans for the evening; I had to keep reading! The immediate tension, vivid descriptions, and the palpable terror of the characters make for intense and compelling reading. While the plot changes to the relationship between the two main characters, the story's mesmerizing nature continues.
I recommend RED KINGDOM to romance readers who enjoy fairy tale retellings, a medieval time period, and an enemies-to-lovers storyline.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.
House of the Rising Sun: A Novel (A Holland Family Novel)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Tara L. (tlagoy) reviewed on + 5 more book reviews
I almost put this book down in the early pages, but so glad I stuck with it, and will be looking for any more the author may have written. A nice surprise, and hated to see it end.
Patchwork Dreams (Amish of Seymour County, Bk 1)
Author:
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Same ol same ol. Amish don't know how to talk to each other. They assume. Miscommunication happens. They end up together anyway. Don't read if you're hungry. Great descriptions of food.
This fits so many categories: mystery, romance, family drama, and courtroom thriller. I was completely engrossed in the story and loved the characters. 5 stars all the way.
this was an easy read, with a balanced dose of romance, france, baking, historical fiction about gypsies, france and world war II, and a young woman finding herself after losing her mother. oh, and there's a ghost!
The Valhalla Exchange
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
An entertaining World War II action story during the final days of the Third Reich, based on a true incident when American and German soldiers, even a Waffen SS officer, fought against other German SS soldiers to protect the lives of important political prisoners.
The true story is told in "The Last Battle" by Stephen Harding, which I've read.
However, Higgins, as a novelist, took a lot of liberties with the true story.
The true story is told in "The Last Battle" by Stephen Harding, which I've read.
However, Higgins, as a novelist, took a lot of liberties with the true story.
LOVED the palette and simplicity. However, in the story line, the simplicity left a few holes for me that had they been filled would have gotten me to 5 stars.
Homer: The Ninth Life of a Blind Wonder Cat
Author:
Genre: Crafts, Hobbies & Home
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Crafts, Hobbies & Home
Book Type: Paperback
Alice B. reviewed on + 3650 more book reviews
Hoover is a little 4 pound wind, black cat that Gwen adopted as a kitten. No one you that over had a lot of strength and he saved Gwenâs life once that's a dramatic tale in and of itself and this tells the story of Hooverâs life with Gwen and their other cat companions it's a very interesting book because Homer is very very smart.
Excellent book, great addition to the series. As always, great writing!
As usual, Cornwell writes an excellent read. I did find the odd spots slow going, but it always picked up. Fine character building and Scarpetta is always herself.
Hole in the Heart: Bringing Up Beth (Graphic Medicine)
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Comics & Graphic Novels, Medical Books, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Comics & Graphic Novels, Medical Books, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Paperback
Wow, raw and real.
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