DI Nick Dixon – ****

Finally, I finished the last book (at least for now) of DI Nick Dixon’s series by Damien Boyd. Once I started the first book, I decided that I will finish the series. It was only 8 books. It wasn’t that difficult even though I had to slow down on School days. Each story was unique and different characters were involved in solving the crime and the team with Nick was very efficient. I also loved the small backstories that went into each of these novels. The subtle humour is amazing 😉

If you fancy murder and detective series situated in Somerset and Avon area, try Nick Dixon. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Detective series in two weeks

It’s been a while since I wrote about the books. Last week, I finished the 4 book detective series called Callahan & McLane Series by Kendra Elliot. The first book gets you hooked into the story line especially the main characters and from there on, you don’t have any other choice other than to go complete them.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I took the Kindle with me to the School and read them during the free hours and also in the Tube. Sometimes during the walk to the Tube too (only in those areas where there weren’t any traffic). Having said that, it was a pity that during the third book you tend to realise that there is a formula to those stories. A pattern to it. It is all based on psychopaths and they target one or the other protagonists. I am OK with patterns as long as the story is gripping and interesting. That is why I finished these so quickly.

After an exhausting week and a half of these books, now I am into some simple and light romance reads. Can’t give up my sleep every week, especially with all the hyperactive kids around me. I need energy to deal with them too 😉

Entertainments galore

We are nearing the end of Inspector Lewis. Already on to our 9th season. Wonder what we will do after it is over. Mr. M is already having some withdrawal symptoms 😉 And surprises in Death in Paradise. Out goes Humphrey and in comes, Jack Mooney, played by the Irish actor Ardal O’Hanlon (Mr. M tells me he is from Father Ted…I have seen only two episodes of it so far…so couldn’t really place him). I am sure lot of us would be feeling a bit weird about it, but the transition was smooth, unlike the last time when Humphrey was pulled in because Poole (played by Ben Miller) died. That was a huge change. But I am enjoying Mr. Mooney as I did the other two. Common Sense, a BBC series where a select people from the public all over the UK discuss the weekly happenings, is another series that we are watching regularly. This is very different from the others as this involves real people and how they feel about important issues that were in the news every week. They are really very funny and honest. I like the butcher couple a lot. I am still keeping a tab on Taboo, with all its gory and blood and grime.

Watched a couple of very good movies. Old ones but golden ones, I should say. The first one was 12 Angry Men. If you haven’t watched it, and if you like crime drama, you should try it. 12 jury members of a murder trial are the main characters in this movie. They are sent to discuss the fate of a young boy who was accused of killing his father. They reconstruct the whole story piece by piece. It is a very interesting screenplay. You start with a mindset and slowly and steadily each one’s motives for their decision is questioned. I really enjoyed the movie.

And yesterday we managed to catch up on To Kill a Mockingbird. I haven’t read the book, wasn’t really sure if I would like it. But I enjoyed the movie. I don’t have to tell you much about it because I am sure it is one of the must-see movies of all times. And I am sure it makes sense even in this day and age. Gregory Peck is amazing. If you haven’t watched it either, give it a try.

Another 3-hour long movie we watched a while ago was A Passage to India. Again, I haven’t read the book, but the movie was nonetheless different and managed to hold my attention for all of those three hours. I am not sure I would have had the patience to read the book. But the dynamics of the varied characters are quite intriguing in this one. It could have had some editing done to it, but then the character’s depth would have taken a beating.

We also had been to a couple of museums. Will get around to copying those photographs sometime next week. I am being lazy over the weekend and not participating in the weekend prompts as of now. I hope to get back to it soon. Until then, I do hope you enjoy my photographs and random TV and Movie updates. And I could definitely use another extra day for the weekend. Don’t you? 😉

 

Frankly…

I had earlier thought of finishing the series and then writing this post. But when I saw Don’s post, I thought why not write about the book I did start. So here I am. Since his book was available on Kindle Unlimited, which is a huge plus for me because I already pay a good amount (if you convert it to Indian Rupees) for my subscription and it would be great to actually be able to read books through that subscription rather than pay extra $$, and also that the books belong to my favorite genre of mystery, thriller and detective series, I wanted to give it a try. Got the first one, Frankly Speaking, a couple of weeks back but couldn’t start it until the day before yesterday (had some in the queue to complete). I completed it and have already got the second one, Let me be Frank, in my reading queue from Kindle Unlimited, of course.

I enjoyed the first one. It was not too long and not too short. It was crisp and surprising. Especially when I thought I had figured the culprit(s) and then they turned out to be OK, but then was glad to know that at least one of them turned out to be the culprit. But the reasons were unexpected. I think I like Jonesy a teeny tiny bit more than Frank 🙂 It was quite fast paced and the cliff hanger…I didn’t expect that. It was a good read. I will let you all know more once I finish off the series. Now, back to my books for the weekend.

Little Gray Cells in Action

After ‘Death in Paradise’, I needed something else to keep me engaged in my weekends and if it was a detective series, the merrier. After a lot of thought, I decided to go back to the good old Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Do you remember the old TV series that used to come, where a cute stout fellow played Poirot? My friend gave me his name, David Suchet. I remembered his face but not this name 😦 He has a very cute mustache doesn’t he!

I have always loved those episodes. But I don’t remember when I stopped watching them. I don’t even remember the season I used to watch earlier. That is clearly a sign that I should start on them again isn’t? Finally got hold of all the seasons and started to watch them one by one. So far I have completed one season and have just started the 2nd season. It is so much pleasure to watch the ‘little gray cells’ in action. I love the small quirks, the friendly banter between Hastings and Poirot, the love-hate relationship between Poirot and Japp and Ms. Lemon with her cute curls. I think I am set for a month or two with these episodes. And Mr. Hercule Poirot never disappoints 🙂

“It is the brain, the little gray cells on which one must rely. One must seek the truth within–not without.” ~ Poirot”
― Agatha Christie