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katieb94's reviews
727 reviews
Finding Harmony: The Remarkable Dog That Helped a Family Through the Darkest of Times by Sally Hyder
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I bought this book because it was about a dog and for the half of this book about the Canine Partners training and how Sally’s life changed when Harmony came home with her, it was a really lovely read.
The first half of the book focuses on Sally’s life, from her engagement and marriage to her MS diagnoses and the birth of her three children, the youngest of which is autistic, adding more stress to her life as a disabled mother- and not being able to help her child when she needs too.
So Harmony was a life line for them!
The author speaks very highly of her family and her faith, it was lovely to read but I do always feel a little awkward when a writer mentions their faith a lot. I know it means a lot but I also feel it doesn’t need to be thrown in the readers face so to speak.
I am glad I read this book as it educated me, an able bodied person, on how tough it can be for those who are disabled. It also showed me how well trained assistant dogs can be and that they’re still normal dogs.
I’m always tempted to stroke an assistant dog when I see one but I never do- as they’re usually working.
Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5/5 stars. Slow start but educational and enjoyable towards the end.
The first half of the book focuses on Sally’s life, from her engagement and marriage to her MS diagnoses and the birth of her three children, the youngest of which is autistic, adding more stress to her life as a disabled mother- and not being able to help her child when she needs too.
So Harmony was a life line for them!
The author speaks very highly of her family and her faith, it was lovely to read but I do always feel a little awkward when a writer mentions their faith a lot. I know it means a lot but I also feel it doesn’t need to be thrown in the readers face so to speak.
I am glad I read this book as it educated me, an able bodied person, on how tough it can be for those who are disabled. It also showed me how well trained assistant dogs can be and that they’re still normal dogs.
I’m always tempted to stroke an assistant dog when I see one but I never do- as they’re usually working.
Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5/5 stars. Slow start but educational and enjoyable towards the end.
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a great edition to the series, it was much more dramatic but also focused on some real life emotions too, the emotion of grief. I had a feeling some of the events were going to happen but it didn’t make it any more distressing to read.
It really changes the dynamic of the group, but it also shows how strong they are as a group too. Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, Joyce, Chris, Donna and Bogdan really feel like one big family. A family who solve murders.
In this one, they try and solve their friend’s murder, which leads them to missing heroin, antiques, and forgery. There was so much going on but it made it a great read!
The way the murder is eventually solved is heartfelt but also really clever, I didn’t see it coming and although I had an inkling who the murderer was, there were plenty of diversions to send me guessing in another direction.
These books don’t get old, even if the cast are very much that. Who knew octonarians could be some of the most loved characters- especially when there is a risk they might die of old age.
A clear 5/5
Probably my favourite in the series yet and I really hope that there’s going to be more!
It really changes the dynamic of the group, but it also shows how strong they are as a group too. Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, Joyce, Chris, Donna and Bogdan really feel like one big family. A family who solve murders.
In this one, they try and solve their friend’s murder, which leads them to missing heroin, antiques, and forgery. There was so much going on but it made it a great read!
The way the murder is eventually solved is heartfelt but also really clever, I didn’t see it coming and although I had an inkling who the murderer was, there were plenty of diversions to send me guessing in another direction.
These books don’t get old, even if the cast are very much that. Who knew octonarians could be some of the most loved characters- especially when there is a risk they might die of old age.
A clear 5/5
Probably my favourite in the series yet and I really hope that there’s going to be more!
Supergirl Vol. 1: The Girl of Steel by Jeph Loeb
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I first started reading this book, I was a bit unsure about it as I’m quite familiar with Black Canary’s origin story and this was a fun take on it! It just didn’t feel like Dinah’s story until about 75% in when she became the hero she was born to be.
I like the inclusion of the Court of Owls as villains. Such a good choice, because if you want to use patriarchy in the story, the Court are perfect for that.
It took a while to actually get into the story, it felt a bit like Dinah kept finding trouble just to add drama to the story.
The inclusion of Oliver Queen was also a really good point as Green Arrow and Black Canary are one of my favourite couples in the DC Universe.
It was a good retelling, I really liked how Dinah overcame her fears and soared to become who she really was. There’s quite a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and this just kept me reading.
In the end I couldn’t put it down!
I’m not sure if the author is a DC fan or not but if not she’s definitely researched the characters before writing this book.
It’s either a 4/5 or a 3.5/5 I’m not entirely sure but I did enjoy it!
I like the inclusion of the Court of Owls as villains. Such a good choice, because if you want to use patriarchy in the story, the Court are perfect for that.
It took a while to actually get into the story, it felt a bit like Dinah kept finding trouble just to add drama to the story.
The inclusion of Oliver Queen was also a really good point as Green Arrow and Black Canary are one of my favourite couples in the DC Universe.
It was a good retelling, I really liked how Dinah overcame her fears and soared to become who she really was. There’s quite a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and this just kept me reading.
In the end I couldn’t put it down!
I’m not sure if the author is a DC fan or not but if not she’s definitely researched the characters before writing this book.
It’s either a 4/5 or a 3.5/5 I’m not entirely sure but I did enjoy it!
My Lady's Secrets by Katy Moran
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The more time we spend with the Thursday Murder Club, the more we find out about their lives outside of it. Elizabeth’s husband Stephen’s dementia is getting worse, Joyce is enjoying having a dog, Ibrahim is getting close to criminals and Ron gets a new lease of life.
I do think Alan is a silly name for a dog.
In this book the gang are back trying to solve an unsolved murder, but also trying to stop the murder of one of their own!
I really liked how the criminals in this story were actually redeemed and ended up being a great help. They rely on so many other people that at this rate the Thursday Murder Club have so many unofficial members! Joyce has probably flirted with all of them.
This one didn’t make me laugh out loud like the second one did but I enjoyed the story a lot more. I felt like the inclusion of outside sources referencing the previous book made it feel much more like a follow on.
At points I really felt for the characters and other moments where they really surprised me!
Obviously I don’t want to give too much away but I did call one part of the story- not the resolution but one part. Everything points one way by the end.
I really like this series and I can’t wait to read more!
5/5 stars.
I do think Alan is a silly name for a dog.
In this book the gang are back trying to solve an unsolved murder, but also trying to stop the murder of one of their own!
I really liked how the criminals in this story were actually redeemed and ended up being a great help. They rely on so many other people that at this rate the Thursday Murder Club have so many unofficial members! Joyce has probably flirted with all of them.
This one didn’t make me laugh out loud like the second one did but I enjoyed the story a lot more. I felt like the inclusion of outside sources referencing the previous book made it feel much more like a follow on.
At points I really felt for the characters and other moments where they really surprised me!
Obviously I don’t want to give too much away but I did call one part of the story- not the resolution but one part. Everything points one way by the end.
I really like this series and I can’t wait to read more!
5/5 stars.
Doctor Who Archives: The Tenth Doctor Vol. 3 by Matthew Dow Smith, Tony Lee, Jonathan L. Davis
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
adventurous
dark
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The gang are back!
This time, Elizabeth’s past comes back to haunt her- there’s a double murder, diamond theft, and one of the group ends up a little worse for wear after a mugging. It’s all going on for the Thursday Murder Club!
The second book on the series started off quite slow, I was waiting quite a while for the main part of the plot to show but once it was there I was hooked and couldn’t put this down, reading it before I went to sleep.
I really liked finding more about Elizabeth’s past. It’s nice that as each book goes on, we find out more about members of the group.
Joyce’s diary entries are a joy, as they explain the situation with such naivety and charm that you just think “Bless her”
I love all four of them and there were times I was genuinely worried about them! There were times when I laughed.
I love these books and I can’t wait to read the next two!
What will they get up to next?
4/5 stars
I loved it!
This time, Elizabeth’s past comes back to haunt her- there’s a double murder, diamond theft, and one of the group ends up a little worse for wear after a mugging. It’s all going on for the Thursday Murder Club!
The second book on the series started off quite slow, I was waiting quite a while for the main part of the plot to show but once it was there I was hooked and couldn’t put this down, reading it before I went to sleep.
I really liked finding more about Elizabeth’s past. It’s nice that as each book goes on, we find out more about members of the group.
Joyce’s diary entries are a joy, as they explain the situation with such naivety and charm that you just think “Bless her”
I love all four of them and there were times I was genuinely worried about them! There were times when I laughed.
I love these books and I can’t wait to read the next two!
What will they get up to next?
4/5 stars
I loved it!
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe Spider-Man by Deniz Camp, Zeb Wells, Al Ewing
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Batman: The Black Mirror by Scott Snyder
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0