Project Hail Mary-movie*

 My oldest son watched this film in the theater while at college. He mentioned that he would like us to watch it. So we had a rare movie night (we typically only watch one show at a time when we watch together) and all enjoyed this movie.

Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher, becomes involved with the top scientists in the world to save planet Earth. With his degree in microbiology & a paper he wrote years ago, they consider him an asset and the one who can find the "cure" to stop the sun from being eaten. One major problem-the people who are launched into space to find the "cure", will not return to earth. They will die. Dr. Grace does not go willingly. Waking up from an induced coma, he discovers he is the only one on the team alive. Will he be able to survive & save Earth's inhabitants?

Ryan Gosling, who plays Dr. Grace, is incredible. The viewer likes his character immediately. I loved the humor & the likable/admirable characters. My youngest son loved this movie because it was slower paced, and it valued story/plot development & did not depend on non-stop action.

*Highly recommend.

Based on the book by Andy Weir.

We watched via Prime.

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

 When my niece was in high school, her history teacher required his students to read this book during the summer. She recommended this book to me this summer. I can understand why a history teacher would utilize this book. Mr. Crichton immerses the reader into Victorian England, 1855-1856. What research he must have done to weave in so many details about this time period! The narrative format prevents the reader feeling like Mr. Crichton is forcing facts. He integrates them seamlessly. He also incorporates terminology/words the population would have said & explains them in the context. 

While I read it, I felt like I was reading a historical fiction novel, not a nonfiction account.

This novel shares with the world how gold was stolen off of a train that was traveling from London to Paris. Months before the actual robbery, the men involved were carefully planning it. Because of Mr. Crichton's careful, extensive research, the reader witnesses each little plan unfold & tested/evaluated.

I did not finish this book. One scene kept resurfacing in my mind. One of the men had syphilis. During this time, people thought one cure for it was for the man to have relations with a virgin. This man had relations with a supposed virgin to "cure" him. Although the scene wasn't overly graphic, it was enough that parts of it come randomly to my mind. What disturbed me the most was the girl was probably 12 years old. The rest of the book may not have any more sexual scenes, but I did not want to allow for the possibility. Other references to prostitution and relations were included but not as explicit as this one.

 I tend to romanticize earlier eras. This book, however, reinforced how man has always been wicked without God.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Charlotte Blood Chronicles Death in the Aviary by Victoria Dowd

 Charlotte Blood's editor-in-chief sends her to investigate a year-old murder. Her cover? She is there to write an article about the family's ravens. 

The wealthy Ravenswick family lost its heir a year ago on New Year's Eve in 1928. As Charlotte resides and investigates at the Abbey, the secretive family and the moors seem to be plotting against her. A couple of near death incidents convince her that something sinister is uniting the family.

As the reader uncovers the Ravenswick family secrets with Charlotte, they also realize that Charlotte is stumbling upon her deceased husband's seemingly double-life. And who is her landlady, Mrs. C? Is she really only a landlady who writes mystery novels (which no one seems to have read!) and who likes to drink whiskey? Charlotte's own life is interesting, not just the mysteries she solves. I am looking forward to book #2 in September. 

The setting on the moors is also a character. This book is gothic!

Warnings: The dead heir's wife is having an affair with his brother. The brother's wife knows this and accepts it. Some sentences about them "messing around" and flirting/foreplay is mentioned. Celeste, whose father is having the affair,  has seen them being intimate and recorded her observations in her journal. Nothing too descriptive but still enough that I would not share this book with a high schooler. Celeste is a disturbed young girl. I felt so sorry for her yet she creeped me out a bit with her violent descriptions in her journal.

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

 I don't know how I feel about this book.

I was looking for suspenseful, engaging classics. After searching online, this one caught my attention. I had never heard of it.

 Ms. Lindsay certainly kept me engaged until the last word. I also appreciated her style of writing. I am not sure if I liked the ending . . . none of the questions are answered. It makes me wonder what was the point of of some the details and the paths to inferences. 

On February 14, 1900 a group of girls from an Australian boarding school head off to Hanging Rock for a picnic. The girls are anticipating a day without restrictions. Four girls decide to hike into the bush. A teacher follows them. One girl who was with them returns- running and screaming but unable to utter what she witnessed. Days later one of the missing girls is found unconscious. After she recovers, she does not remember what occurred on that fateful day. The other two girls and the teacher never return or are ever found. What happened to them? More deaths ensue.

Very intriguing and suspenseful.

The author had written a last chapter revealing what happened to the girls. Her publisher, however, told her to remove it. The "missing" last chapter is available to purchase.

Considerations/Discuss: anger, deaths, suicide, murder

 

NCIS Origins**DVDS

 This series reveals how Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mike Franks form a friendship  when NCIS was just NIS in the 1990s. The 1st episode begins with elderly Gibbs reflecting on his early years as a marine and how he joined NIS. He narrates and then the "younger versions" of himself and his team come into focus and unfold the story. 

We love this series. With depth and character development, the show is a rarity "these days". Although each episode focuses on a naval murder case, it has flashbacks providing the backstory of the team members. I cannot really express how well-written and well-produced this show is. The acting is superb also. This show displays flawed humanity and its desire to find meaning in life and to find justice.

Viewers who like constant action with little character development may not appreciate this show.

**Highly, highly recommend for older teens & adults.

Warnings/considerations: violence-war, murder-sometimes graphic, snippers/revenge, Gibbs's wife & daughter are murdered, murdering is portrayed/reasoned as ok in some situations; Tish, Franks's girlfriend was raped-it is alluded to-not depicted; Franks & Tish live together, unmarried; Franks smokes a lot; drinking to unwind; death of beloved people; cursing; during the last episode the viewer can infer Wheeler is participating in a homosexual relationship w/ a FBI agent-he vows to stop, restore his marriage, & not lie anymore

Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers*

 Harriet Vane, the woman Lord Peter Wimsey wants to marry, is lunching on a beach when she notices a body on a rock. The man is dead. Being a detective novelist, she analyzes the situation and takes photographs. By the time she finds the authorities, the tide has washed the body away. Based on her photographs and the information they can gather, the police conclude it was suicide. Case-closed. Lord Peter Wimsey arrives and does not believe the case is that simple. Convoluted days ensue as Lord Peter, Harriet, and the local police uncover facts,times, and alibis that do not line up.

I read this aloud to by sons (ages 15 and 18) at lunch on our school days. My youngest son figured it and thought it was too easy-just like Strong Poison (He liked The Nine Tailors best). My other son liked this one best because the characters interact more, and the story takes place over a few weeks  (In The Nine Tailors Lord Peter returns almost a year later to finally solve the case). Ciphers were included in this book and described step-by-step how Peter and Harriet solve them. I skipped these sections and just summarized their findings to my sons. The ciphers would be more fun to solve while reading the novel to yourself.

*Highly recommend for high school and older. See considerations.

Warnings/consideration: Since I read this novel aloud, I skipped these concerns-some swearing, some innuendos, Mr. Weldon is a lady's man and makes a grab at Harriet, murder-description of the crime scene, discussions about suicide and why the victim did it-Peter even goes into detail why he would do it-narrating why/why not. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

 Newly published author, Ernest Cunningham, has been invited to the Australian Mystery Writer's Society crime-writing festival as they travel via the Ghan, a famous train, from Darwin to Adelaide. While he travels the vast desert, his agent is pressing him to write a fictional book (a departure from his typical genre). Will this train ride with its individuals maintaining secrets provide inspiration for his next book? When the most famous writer dies, Ern steps in to uncover the abundant deceptions and solve the murder. Then another person dies. They are trapped on a train with a determined murderer. Plot sound familiar? Mr. Stevenson alludes to classical mysteries but creates his own entertaining and clever storyline.

The first-person narration was interesting. Ern talks directly to the reader throughout the novel. 

Somewhat Spoiler Alert-A nice twist at the end that I did not anticipate--I thought I had figured out the twist and was sorely disappointed in Ern-felt like he was an unreliable narrator when he promised he could be trusted! But then at the last minute he proves to be trustworthy! 

I loved the allusions to classical mysteries. Although Mr. Stevenson incorporates descriptions of the Australian landscape and also historical and general information, the novel is not didactic. The amount of description is apt. I ended the book with a deeper appreciation for Australia.

Warning: one man likes younger women and had raped one of the characters when she was young, this same man makes advances (not descriptive in the novel-a one-liner that hints at what he wants from her) toward a young woman. Unbeknownst to him, she is his daughter., one character is gay-his partner was killed by a train years ago, a series of books is discussed that is soft porn (no graphic description-just that they are that), Ern & his girlfriend share a cabin although they are not married (not intimacy takes place), some swearing-very limited

Other books in this series-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone & Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret

-Borrowed from the library.

Silencing the Witness by Laura Conway

 When reading my denomination's quarterly newsletter, I read about this author who is local and who is a member of my denomination.

Almost three years ago Avery witnessed a murder which involved a drug cartel. Immediately she is placed into a witness protection program. Winning the teacher of the year award results in her photo being leaked in the local newspaper. The leaders of the drug ring want her dead. When she steps outside her high school on the last day of school, her car explodes. Luckily the security guard sees the explosion and rescues her. Little do they know that the next few days will require stamina beyond belief as they dodge the savvy, evil group.

Warning-when you start to read this novel, you won't be able to stop! Very suspenseful. 

I found it a bit unrealistic and also predictable at points. But it is great escape novel that is actually clean!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker*

 On a Thursday night Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro are hanging out in a favorite local restaurant  after hours, Frank 'n Stein's when they witness a brutal robbery, which leaves the owner in a coma. When one of the thieves threatens Cooper and his family (it seems like some of the thieves may be dirty cops), Cooper convinces Gordy and Hiro to not reveal the three of them were witnesses. They take the "Code of Silence" as they try to figure out who the thieves are. To maintain their anonymity, they begin telling lies to the police, their teachers, their parents, and their families. Lies grow and become more complicated. 

A fast-paced book that will make the reader to want to devour it one sitting  This book showcases the danger of lying and how easy it is to fall into the habit and to justify it. God is mentioned but only in reference to praying to Him (and will He answer prayers when you are sinning and knowing you are wrong?) about the situation. This book will stimulate conversations.

My fifteen-year-old has read it twice and told me to read it. He likes the depiction of consequences of lying and how the book requires you to think about your choices. 

*Highly recommend for junior high readers and younger high school students (the main characters are in 8th grade).

It looks like Mr. Shoemaker has written two other books in this series featuring Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro, all featuring a mystery/suspense theme-Below the Surface and Back Before Dark.

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

 Beatrice Steele hides herself in the family's turret of Marsh House to pine after a man . . . or so she tells her family. Actually, she reads crime cases published in a newspaper, where Inspector Huxley writes about his latest cases. Week after week she writes to Sir Huxley, sharing her opinions and how to solve the cases. One big problem-in her township, Swampshire, England, it is unlady-like to solve murder cases. The Lady's Guide to Swampshire lists all acceptable behaviors for ladies. Solving murders is not one of them.

At an Annual Autumnal Ball presented by the family's neighbors and life-long friends, the Ashbrooks, Beatrice is able to prove her prowess in solving murder when two people die. A mysterious guest also joins her side in solving the case. 

I found this novel amusing and entertaining with a fast-paced plot. Austen-like phrasing, themes, and characters are incorporated throughout the story, which make it delightful. I almost was ready to recommend it to teen girls until ---see warning-(these themes/inclusions did not occur until the last third of the novel).

Warning: one character is pregnant out of wedlock, one character is in love with another female, theme of "you be true to you" then everything will be fine, feminist themes

-Borrowed from the library.

Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

 Miss Pym agrees to travel to a physical training college to lecture about her best-selling book about psychology. The young ladies immediately befriend her. Not wanting to return to London, she agrees to remain for a few days, finding herself with knowledge of a crime. When the crime results in murder, Miss Pym must decide what she will do with the damning evidence. Ms. Tey keeps you guessing until the very end! Her final decision will provide opportunity for good discussion.

I enjoyed analyzing the young ladies at this college with Miss Pym. However, it took over 2/3s of the book to encounter the crime! I needed to remind myself that this book was originally published in 1946 and to appreciate that era's writing approach. Modern and/or non-British readers may sometimes be puzzled by the word choice and allusions.

Considerations: some swearing, some racial comments (a reflection of that time period)

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan

A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey*

 I recently read that Josephine Tey is considered "one of the greatest mystery writers of all time". I had never heard of her, so decided to check her out. Initially the story did not capture my interest, probably because at this time of year I only have time to read right before bed and typically fall asleep within fifteen minutes. As a result, I could not keep all of the characters straight in my mind. Over vacation, however, I had large chunks of time to read and could focus on enjoying the story. I do highly recommend this book, but I still like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers better!

Scotland Yard inspector, Alan Grant, is assigned the case to figure out how a famous actress died. As he uncovers clues and investigates into her relationships, he becomes more confused and frustrated. An interesting, fun read!

Warning if sharing with a teen: some swearing, a man is accused of being a lover to a married woman, a man who is into religion is evil and uses it for his selfish purposes

*Highly recommend for adult

-Borrowed from the library.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley*

 My eighth grader finished his literature course this school year by reading Frankenstein. He really enjoyed it and shared some interesting thoughts and conclusions about mankind with me. I could not keep up with his reading pace, so I finished it a couple of weeks later!

I too really enjoyed the novel. Ms. Shelley's writing is superb. I could have enjoyed the novel simply by the word choice and how Ms. Shelley communicates her ideas/the story. In addition to the well-written prose, I appreciated the opportunity to contemplate humanity's natural state (fallen and sinful) and humanity's responses to that natural state. Both my son and I did not like any of the characters but that did not take away from the enjoyment of the book. Ms. Shelley's purpose was not point out our need for God but accomplishes it!

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesteron*

 My eighth grader read this anthology of short stories for literature and enjoyed them. I read quite a few of them and anticipated the twists and unusual solutions. Although the twelve short stories can be read in any order, if the reader wants to understand the character development of Flambeau, he/she should read the first four in order. I would label these short stories as "literary mysteries". The sentence structure, the word choice, the allusions, and historical inclusions require the reader to be intellectually engaged. 

*Highly recommend (for junior high and older-murder and graphic descriptions of some murders).

-We own this book.

Dunkirk DVD

 PG-13 (intense war "experience" & language)

My sons and I just finished studying WWII  in American History. Our history textbook mentioned Dunkirk with a few sentences. I wanted them to understand more deeply how amazing the Dunkirk rescue was. 

Viewers will be thrust into the  desperation the English and French soldiers felt when the Germans trap them on the beaches of Dunkirk. The enemy attacks them by air. Civilian boats leave the English coast to bring their men home. So inspiring how regular civilians risked their lives as their military men had already done so. 

The movie is organized by three separate timelines (& three separate stories)-one week at the beach, one day on the boat, and one hour in the air (RAF). The producer, Christopher Nolan, brings the three time periods together by the end. It was rather confusing. We did not care for this method. My youngest thought it was unnecesary for a teen civilian to die by a stupid accident ( killed accidently by a rescued soldier) on a rescue boat. He said that was one character you could connect to and become attached to, and then he dies! Not much dialogue, which some viewers may not like. 

Since it occurs mostly at sea, a lot of drowning scenes were included. I could not watch them.

-Borrowed from the library.

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble

 Carly's life has been in upheavel since her police officer husband's death. Trying to raise her infant son and manage her demanding younger (but adult) sisters requires all of her time. Then she uncovers what seems to be a Faberge egg and family secrets.  Suddenly she and her family are in constant danger. Thankfully her next door neighbor is a homicide detective and more than willing to protect beautiful Carly. I loved how it took me on my own rabbit trail looking up Faberge eggs! 

A very fast paced novel  A bit "Hallmarkish"

A very wholesome romantic suspense novel (fine to share with teens)  I had never read any novels by this author (she has written a lot!). If I am in the mood for an easy read that focuses on suspense and a bit of romance, I will read one of her books!

 God and prayer are mentioned but are not major components to the characters' lives. 

-Borrowed from the library.

A Strange Habit of Mind by Andrew Klavan

 A Cameron Winter Mystery-#2

*NOT a "cozy mystery"

When a former student texts him the message, "Help me!" and then is found dead, Cameron begins to unearth a sinister world-wide force behind a seemingly kind billionaire, Gerald Byrne. Soon he is entrenched in a dangerous battle with Byrne who controls all technology. In steps Cameron's former mentor, aka, "The Recruiter" from the Division. Even though his mentor is in retirement, he still can outwit the best of them. I love the Recruiter! He is a Christian. Some other characters called themselves Christian but were using the title for their own gain/purposes. So Mr. Klavan includes both authentic transformation of Christ and those who did not truly surrender to Christ.

Very suspenseful. Mr. Klavan once again exposes evil and its toil. Any questionable content is to reveal the brokeness of man and how we need a Rescuer. Cameron recognizes he is broken and wrestles how to free himself from his sorrow. 

I would not hand this series to a teenager.

Warning: With all of these warnings, Mr. Klavan shows mankind's struggle with sin. It is never glorified.  One character's fiance claims to be a born-again Christian but takes nude photos of her so he can resist her sexually. In reality, he is gay and is hoping to be stimulated by her photos. He struggles with his feelings for men and tries to battle it with this double life. Cameron never had a relationship with his mother and continues to long for maternal love. He tries to fill this void a bit via his therapist. His therapist also fluctuates between maternal love for him and a romantic love for him even though she is old enough to be his mom. In his loneliness Cameron longs for intimacy and a woman. As a result, he notices attractive women. He tries to resist and steer himself away from temptation. He does have intimacy with a woman who was sent to entice him in order to sabotage his computer. He enjoys the encounter even though he knows it is a ploy, but at the same time, he is sorrowful because it is not real.

-Borrowed from the library.

I will read and review book #3 soon.

The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley

 This exciting novella was originally published in 1919. 

Roger Mifflin and his wife Helen (once owners of the moving book wagon, Parnassus) now own a second-hand bookshop in Brooklyn, NYC. To give him time away from the shop, Mifflin agrees to hire his friend's daughter, Titania, as his assistant. Aubrey Gilbert, a young man in the advertising business, stops by to convince Mifflin to advertise. Instead, Mifflin lures him into conversation about books and philosophy. Seeing Titania, Aubrey is enamored with her. Then some sinister, suspicious events occur, convincing Aubrey that he needs to protect Titania. In a week's time a dangerous plot is revealed . . . all within a second-hand bookshop!

Bibliophiles will delight in reading this book. Mifflin fills pages with his philosophies (I don't agree with his view on God/Bible and politics) and his book recommendations (I only knew a handful of the titles . . . . .maybe because the titles are so old?? or maybe I am not well-read.). My mind wandered a bit while I read some of Mifflin's monologues. 

I did not like when Aubrey became angry and wanted to hit Titania because she was so beautiful and captivating. Maybe it did not mean what it means today??  The word d**n is included throughout the book (not often).

-Borrowed from the library.

When Christmas Comes by Andrew Klavan*

 Cameron Winter can figure out situations with his "strange habit of mind, where he uses his logic and his imagination. A former lover, an attorney in an idyllic town comprised of former military men and women, asks him to investigate her client, Travis Blake, a war hero. He supposedly killed his girlfriend while in a jealous rage. As Cameron interviews people related to the case, he pieces together a story that is unbelievable.

Very suspenseful and a surprise ending. I read about this series in the recent World magazine and plan to read the rest of the series soon.

*Highly recommend but see warning. I hope this tendancy does not continue in the rest of the book.

Warning: I did not like how Cameron would remember how it felt to be with his former lover (who was a high schooler when he was intimate with her. . .he was her English teacher) as he interacts with her. This reaction is realistic, but I did not like reading about it. Nothing graphic was included, though. He also imagines what it would be like to be close to another female character in the story. Some mention of his first intimate encounter with a girl when he was a teenager. Again, nothing graphic is included. Because of these inclusions, I would not hand this series to a teenager.

Run by Ann Patchett

 Tip doesn't see the car coming. A woman in the crowd does. She shoves him out of the way. The SUV slams into her and sends her flying. As an ambulance escorts her to the nearest hospital, her eleven-year-old daughter, Kenya, is left standing in the snow with Tip's brother Teddy and their father Bernard. Actually, Kenya knows the family well. She and her mother, the one who saved Tip from death, have been watching them, following them for years. Her mother told her never to tell. But then she does. . . .

This suspenseful novel mainly takes place in 24 hours. I had a difficult time not reading it. I loved the characters. Ms. Patchett develops them with distinctness and depth. The plot continues to have surprises until the end. The only aspect I did not love was it felt a bit preachy and focused on black vs. white. I did not agree with their politics nor with their views on God.

The first and last chapters are separate from the main plot. It would have been helpful if the dates had been included on these two chapters or some sort of division page to delineate. 

-Borrowed from the library.