Pallas Poppies

I quickly went to “dramatization” instead of facts and with that, I did enjoy this. It was fast paced and enjoyable. But it’s not written as fact but much more like fiction, if you want facts, I’m sure there’s a better book available.

I listened to the audio version.

As a non fiction it feels like there are plenty of times the author takes liberties and put thoughts and feelings in peoples head that I don’t know how he would know about. He’s a bit dramatic…

Couldn’t help to react when the author calls a man Judas for giving up Booth and later there’s also a mention of Jesus and Golgotha when someone gives Booth water… Booth was a racist ahole, he wasn’t Jesus. Author is clearly fascinated by his subject so he feels bias. There was a part in the epilogue as well when I was like, “Did I hear that right?”

I kind of read this in preparation for when everyone told me how great it is and that I have to read it just like they did with “Thursday Murder Club” which I first DNFed and then after more recommendations I finally pushed through and it was just meh. And I expected nothing else from this, but was pleasantly surprised, I liked it!

Rosie steals the show but I’m starting to feel that the glamorous hard drinking older woman is starting to become old, how many times has she been on page now? But I like Rosie.

Amy also feels a little bit done, a hard woman, rough upbringing and doesn’t like to talk about emotions… I’m still not sure how having a tough time growing up and then working at a gym can give you a job where you suddenly jump out of a chopper and throwing hand grenades but maybe we will find out in another book? Her background/job qualifying part was possibly my least favorite part… along with her hubby that felt kind of pointless but maybe he will be important later on.

I also liked Carlos… and the cat!

You need to go with it from the start and lean to the fun parts and read it like a comedy, things are convenient for the main characters and many things are unbelievable.

I kind of read this in preparation for when everyone told me how great it is and that I have to read it just like they did with “Thursday Murder Club” which I first DNFed and then after more recommendations I finally pushed through and it was just meh. And I expected nothing else from this, but was pleasantly surprised, I liked it!

Rosie steals the show but I’m starting to feel that the glamorous hard drinking older woman is starting to become old, how many times has she been on page now? But I like Rosie.

Amy also feels a little bit done, a hard woman, rough upbringing and doesn’t like to talk about emotions… I’m still not sure how having a tough time growing up and then working at a gym can give you a job where you suddenly jump out of a chopper and throwing hand grenades but maybe we will find out in another book? Her background/job qualifying part was possibly my least favorite part… along with her hubby that felt kind of pointless but maybe he will be important later on.

I also liked Carlos… and the cat!

You need to go with it from the start and lean to the fun parts and read it like a comedy, things are convenient for the main characters and many things are unbelievable.

Lady Ellen Ashcombe checks into Millar’s Hotel while getting her house back in order after it’s been used as a convalescence home during the war.

While at the hotel she comes across two old acquaintances, one she’s glad to see and one she hopes would choke… only to fall dead into his soup.

Almost a little too cute and wholesome for me. Lady Ellen shows up in the kitchen as she likes one of the maids and helps her cut beans and butting in, in a way that really isn’t appropriate. She then commandeer the maid away from the hotel and acts pretty bossy. All while wanting to be treated like everyone else.

(I actually broke a rule when reading this book. I have banned books with the cover that has that pose, they are so many of them and they are never good)

I’m willing to bet money that this started out as Only Murders in the Building fanfic.

It’s cheesy and cute and I’m okay with that. Reads pretty young but there was something about it that made me stick around. Sure, a lot of things are very convenient for the MC. I’ll give the second book a read, but it will be weird if a whole bunch of dead body start showing up in the same building complex.

I’m willing to bet money that this started out as Only Murders in the Building fanfic.

It’s cheesy and cute and I’m okay with that. Reads pretty young but there was something about it that made me stick around. Sure, a lot of things are very convenient for the MC. I’ll give the second book a read, but it will be weird if a whole bunch of dead body start showing up in the same building complex.

I need to remember how dull this was and not waste more time on this series.

Also, a very specific pet peeve of mine in this one. For that, I will remember this one.

I need to remember how dull this was and not waste more time on this series.

Also, a very specific pet peeve of mine in this one. For that, I will remember this one.

First in a series so a little slow to get started as they are setting everything up. A lot of potential but felt pretty meh.

The misfits at Olivia's job are a few too many and it feels a little crowded and leaving little space for any of the characters, perhaps if they were fewer we could focus on building a connection to them?

This womans diet… bad coffee for breakfast, cheeseburger and fries for breakfast/lunch (she does say at one point that it’s her daily cheeseburger) and then some chips and cookies for snacks in the evening… she must be supernatural eating that.

Also, she’s on her way to her brother in San Diego when he car breaks down in Arizona. Maybe I missed it but I don’t remember her ever call him or having him mentioned again. “Haven’t heard from my sister in a week after she said she was driving here, I’m sure she’s fine.”

What do a cop, a corrupt ex cop now working for the Mafia and a female Pinkerton Detective have in common? They are all trying to find the notorious axe murderer in New Orleans.

So New Orleans 1919 and there’s a serial killer on loose, sign me up, sounds great!

But I don’t really get into it, it’s too slow, nothing really at stake. No suspense and no thrills. Another book that makes me go meh, has such a promise though. Feels like a book I will forget I ever read before the year is over.

I did like the characters but I think they could have popped more, if the axeman gets them… oh well.

Wait, what? It was THE Louis Armstrong? Why?!