To Cut a Long Story Short is a 2000 short story collection.
… 14 riveting tales of elaborate confidence tricks, political chicanery, immoral behavior, and dangerously illicit affairs …
I don’t read many short stories. BUT Archer is so good at making an entertaining story easy to follow, that I enjoyed this one very much.
The Forgotten (2012) by David Baldacci is the second instalment to feature John Puller, a former Army Ranger who served at Iraq and Afghanistan and now works for the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigations Division.
I like the character John Puller.
The plot is over-the-top excessive, as usual for Baldacci, but I do recommend the series.
A picture-perfect town on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Paradise thrives on the wealthy tourists and retirees drawn to its gorgeous weather and beaches.
The local police have ruled his aunt’s death an unfortunate, tragic accident. But just before she died, she mailed a letter to Puller’s father, telling him that beneath its beautiful veneer, Paradise is not all it seems to be.
davidbaldacci.com
Well. It’s over. For now.
The final battle with Marco Inaros and his Free Navy.
Season 6 was good overall. And I’m actually not unhappy with the ending.
James Holden reminds me of John Snow in Game of Thrones.
Other terrific characters I won’t forget: Bobbie Draper, Camina Drummer, Chrisjen Avasarala, and especially Amos Burton.
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I really LIKED Station Eleven, the 2014 novel by Emily St. John Mandel.
But I’m not sure I can recommend Station Eleven (miniseries), the HBO adaptation.
Twenty years after a flu pandemic resulted in the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors who make their living as traveling performers ….
Mackenzie Davis is excellent as Kirsten, the main character. The entire cast is excellent.
BEST is David Wilmot.
It’s original. Brave.
But for me the story is too confused. Jumping back and forward in time worked in the book, but was too confusing on screen for me.
On the other hand, it’s 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. You can’t help but admire the attempt.
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Excellent. Like many of the best British TV shows, the cast is very believable. Plots fascinating. And the actors look like real people, crooked teeth and all.
Dalgliesh is a crime drama TV series based on Adam Dalgliesh novels by PD James.
Bertie Carvel stars as the titular character, an enigmatic detective–poet. …
It’s set in mid-1970s England. Thatcher times.
Dalgliesh in the books is dour, cerebral and private. A poet.
In this TV adaptation, to keep the pace lively he’s partnered with LIVELY colleagues.
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Zero Day (2011) is the first of the John Puller series.
An Army detective, Puller has been compared to Jack Reacher (sometimes unfavourably). A large, tough man, whose peak physical fitness is matched only by his intellectual superiority.
Puller is now working for the US Army’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
He partners in this tale with police sergeant Samantha Cole. An appealing couple.
I’ve often criticized Baldacci for his dumb over-the-top plots — and this one is dumb. BUT I do recommend this book. It’s entertaining. And I really got to like Puller and Cole.
First half of the book is far better than the rest.
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So much potential. An excellent cast. Tons of money for special effects.
But what is the STORY?
61% on Rotten Tomatoes is far too generous.
It’s a mess. I’ll try not to watch season 3.
An ideal gift book for a teen who likes Harry Potter — and baking. 😀
But I actually enjoyed it.
Fourteen-year-old Mona’s magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance.
THEN she’s called on to save the city.
Author T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) has won the Hugo for past books. I’m not surprised.
This is the second book in the Joe Pickett series. He’s a Wyoming game warden.
The plot is intriguing.
Someone hired hit men to kill a number of environmental protection activists across the States.
The lawyer who protected Grizzly Bears was made to look as if he was killed and eaten by those bears. They don’t want martyrs.
I recommend it.
A good insight into the pros and cons of environmentalism in Wyoming.
A Joe Pickett TV series just launched. USA only, so far.
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Rick McCharles 