Rick will be mostly offline well into June 2026. He’s section hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail in California.
The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson
This is something of a sequel to The Kind Worth Killing — but I found it much better.
The Kind Worth Saving (2023) is a psychological thriller by Peter Swanson …
The story follows Henry Kimball, a former English teacher and police officer who is now working as a private investigator in Massachusetts.
- The Case: A former student, Joan Grieve, hires Kimball to investigate her husband, Richard, whom she suspects is having an affair.
- The Connection: Joan and Kimball share a dark past; they were both present during a traumatic school shooting years earlier while Kimball was her teacher.
- The Twist: What begins as a standard infidelity case quickly turns into a double murder investigation when Kimball finds two bodies in an empty house.
- The Collaboration: Faced with a case that mirrors his own past tragedies, Kimball enlists the help of his former nemesis/frenemy, the sociopathic but brilliant Lily Kintner, to uncover the truth.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast – season 1
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2026) is an Irish comedy thriller series for Netflix
Mostly positive reviews from critics, earning a 91%–93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though casual viewer opinions are more divided.
Worth watching. But I’m one of those disappointed.
The show is penned by Lisa McGee, creator of Derry Girls, one of the best comedy TV shows of all time.
This one is not nearly as good.
Rapid-fire Northern Irish wit is similar. Chemistry of its leading cast good — but not nearly as good as Derry Girls.
It’s neither a great comedy, nor a great murder mystery. Pick a lane Lisa. Stick to comedy, Lisa.
When three close friends from Belfast receive the news that the estranged fourth member of their teenage friend group has unexpectedly died, they travel to County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland to pay their respects.
Strange events at the wake and a long-kept secret threatening to come out propel the trio into investigating their friend’s mysterious death, but the amateur sleuths quickly find themselves in over their heads,
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
Moon Over Soho (2011) by Ben Aaronovitch is weakest of the series I’ve read, so far.
I was reminded why I don’t much like fantasy fiction. Plot too far removed from reality.
The dialogue is still funny, but less so.
I do enjoy the police procedural details.
In this one Police constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant investigates a series of bizarre, magically-linked deaths in the jazz scene of London’s Soho district.
It’s personal to Peter, as his father is a jazz musician.
The Threat: Vicious creatures are stalking Soho, feeding on the innate creative talents and beauty of musicians, leaving ruin behind.
Key Characters: Peter is assisted by his wizard mentor, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, and Simone Fitzwilliam, a beautiful jazz journalist and ex-lover of the first victim
INTENSE Movie – Apex
I had to pause at points. Too stressful.
Charlize and co-star Taron Egerton should be nominated for all eligible acting awards.
Watch Apex on Netflix.
Apex (2026) stars Charlize Theron as Sasha, a grieving rock climber and kayaker who travels to the Australian wilderness to process a personal tragedy.
Her isolation trip shifts into a high-stakes battle for survival when she is targeted by a deceptive serial killer.
New Zealand Olympic canoeist Luuka Jones-Yaxley served as one stunt double for Charlize.
BUT, Charlize (age-50), performed nearly all of her own rock climbing, bouldering, and fighting. She trained intensively for two and a half months alongside legendary American rock climber Beth Rodden.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
Plenty of action. In fact, I found the pacing too frantic.
I normally don’t like fantasy, but this book had enough dry British humour to keep me going.
Rivers of London (2011) is the first novel in the popular urban fantasy series by Ben Aaronovitch. In the United States and some other regions, it is titled Midnight Riot.
The story follows Peter Grant, a probationary constable in the Metropolitan Police who discovers he has the ability to speak to ghosts.
This talent leads him to become the first apprentice in 50 years under the tutelage of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last official wizard in Britain.
Together, they investigate supernatural crimes across London, blending police procedural elements with historical lore and magic
The author also wrote two Doctor Who serials in the late 1980s and spin-off novels from Doctor Who and Blake’s 7.
The book inspired an independent music video by Lyrics and Music by Ben “Doc Brown” Smith and Mikis Michaelides.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Wake Up Dead Man (2025 film)
Wake Up Dead Man is the third film in the Knives Out series:
- Knives Out (2019)
- Glass Onion (2022)
- Wake Up Dead Man (2025)
Each is an ensemble cast, classic whodunnit, with Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig) being the only recurring character.
Wake Up Dead Man is far different than the first two — though still very watchable.
It’s more Agatha Christie. A semi-locked room mystery in a Church.
I didn’t recognize Daniel Craig when he walked on to screen.
Critical Consensus
Reviewers frequently highlight the film’s gothic atmosphere and its shift toward a darker, more serious tone compared to the campier previous instalments.
- Josh O’Connor’s Standout Performance: Almost every review singles out O’Connor (playing Father Jud) as the film’s MVP, with some calling it his best work to date.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
Only Time Will Tell (2011) is 1st of the 7 books in the Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer.
Excellent.
The narrative spans the years 1920 to 1940, tracing the early life of protagonist Harry Clifton in Bristol, England.
- The Mystery of Parentage: Raised by a single mother, Harry grows up believing his father died a war hero. He eventually discovers dark family secrets that tie him to the wealthy Barrington shipping dynasty, forcing him to question his true identity.
- A Changing Destiny: Though expected to follow his uncle into the grueling dockyards, Harry’s exceptional singing voice earns him a scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school, altering his future completely.
- The Outbreak of War: The novel follows Harry through his university years and culminates as the Second World War erupts, forcing him to choose between attending Oxford or enlisting to fight Nazi Germany.
The character I enjoyed most — of many — is Harry Clifton’s close friend and mentor, Old Jack Tar.
Wisdom personified.
Harry’s rise from poverty to high academic prowess is inspirational.
Cliffhanger ending …
Running Point – season 2
Just as hilarious as season 1. One of the best comedies of the year.
Great cast.
Brenda Song (Ali Lee) is one of my favourites.
I love the name dropping & pop culture references. Had to Google … “the ick“, for example.
One down side ➙ the basketball scenes are embarrassing. They should have brought in more tall actors and more who can actually play high level ball.
Picking up after the events of the first season, Isla (played by Kate Hudson) is now a recognized leader under high scrutiny.
The main conflict centers on the return of her brother, Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux), who recently left rehab and begins working behind the scenes to undermine Isla and reclaim his old position as president.
Key storylines in the second season include:
- The Search for a New Coach: Following a late-season loss, the head coach position for the LA Waves is open.
- Sibling Dynamics: Isla faces continuous pressure from her brothers—Cam, Ness, Sandy, and Jackie—who often challenge her authority with their own ideas.
- On-Court Chaos: The team deals with locker room drama, including a conflict between players Marcus Winfield and Travis Bugg over a romantic interest.
- Team Rivalries: The LA Waves face off against a Boston team led by Isla’s former colleague, Jay Brown, and briefly lose a key player to a Canadian rival
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
13-minute murder by Serafin & Patterson
I’m thinking Shan Serafin was the principal author of these 3 fast novellas. The style really doesn’t feel like Patterson.
Very good.
DEAD MAN RUNNING: Psychiatrist Randall Beck specializes in PTSD cases–and his time is limited. Especially when he uncovers a plot to kill a presidential candidate.
113 MINUTES: Molly Rourke’s son has been murdered–and she knows who’s responsible. Now she’s taking the law into her own hands. Never underestimate a mother’s love.
13-MINUTE MURDER: He can kill anybody in just minutes–from the first approach to the clean escape. His skills have served him well, and he has a grand plan: to get out alive and spend his earnings with his beloved wife, Maria.
An anonymous client offers Ryan a rich payout to assassinate a target in Harvard Yard. It’s exactly the last big job he needs to complete his plan.
Rick McCharles 