Legal Thriller Movie Review - A Time To KIll

 Introduce movie:

This began as John Grisham's debut legal thriller that was published in 1989, and the first in the Jake Brigance series (including Sycamore Row and A Time for Mercy.)  This novel was a major bestseller resulting in John Grisham becoming a force in the the legal thriller genre that has lasted 37 years and counting.  The movie was released in 1996 with many A list actors featured.

Grisham has cited Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird as an influence on his novel. Another stated inspiration was 1987's Presumed Innocent, the success of which fed the growing subgenre of legal thrillers.

Grisham reportedly says the novel is based on a real life case that Grisham witnessed of a harrowing testimony of a 12-year-old rape victim in Hernando, Mississippi courthouse. 

     

What it's about:

The story takes place in Canton, a town in fictional Ford County, Mississippi during the post-Jim Crow era (1984). Two local extremely racist white men, Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard kidnap ten-year-old African-American girl Tonya Hailey on her way home from getting groceries, viciously rape and beat her then attempt to kill her by hanging then toss her in a river to finish her off. Tonya somehow miraculously survives, and the Sheriff arrests Cobb and Willard. This sets up dominoes that will tumble as a result and nearly set the town on fire. 

Tonya's father, Carl Lee Hailey, discusses the case against Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard with Jake Brigance, a white lawyer who defended his brother before. After Jake mentions the possibility that the rapists will walk free, Carl Lee shoots both rapists as they're brought to the courthouse. Carl Lee is arrested, and Jake agrees to defend him and as a result of the events, the town becomes a battleground.

The film made $152 million worldwide. It marked the final film appearance of Joe Seneca.

Tagline: (Book) "Novel of Retribution"

(movie) "A lawyer and his assistant fighting to save a father on trial for murder. A time to question what they believe. A time to doubt what they trust. And no time for mistakes."

Cast:

Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey

Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance

Ashley Judd as Carla Brigance

Sandra Bullock as Ellen Roark

Donald Sutherland as Lucien Wilbanks

Kevin Spacey as Rufus Buckley

Oliver Platt as Harry Rex Vonner

Charles S. Dutton as Sheriff Ozzie Walls

Brenda Fricker as Ethel Twitty

Kiefer Sutherland as Freddie Lee Cobb

Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly as Tonya Hailey

Writers: John Grisham and Akiva Goldsman

Director: Joel Schumacher

     

Rated R  2 hour 29 minutes

     

My Thoughts:

This movie centers around the virulent racist hatred that absolutely was/is a part of the American fabric.  It is uncomfortable and it is meant to be. It is memorable for exactly that reason. 

Because of its unabashed exposing of such shameful attitudes, it takes a stellar cast to make this drama gripping. This cast delivers on all counts, particularly young Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly as the victim. Be sure to have tissues handy. 

This movie pulls the veil back, showing the psychological and physical trauma with the consequences that result from racial injustice, systemic racism, and oppression. There are themes of justice, racism, revenge, and yes, empathy. It raises questions regarding the conflict between the law and moral feelings.

With all that said you may think this is just a morality preaching movie, but you would be very mistaken. All these themes and issues are what you can draw from this well acted gripping tale brought richly to life. It doesn't push answers, just gives an inspiring drama some even classify as a legal thriller.

Yes, this movie will provide food for thought but it is also a good movie.  The plot follows the court case yet the drama mostly takes place outside the courtroom. Every actor brings their "a-game" no matter how much screen time their part has. Each time I watch it, I come away with an appreciation for a well-done movie with fine production, script, directing, atmosphere, and acting. 

Be prepared: there is frequent use of racial slurs that was part of life in the South at the time. That was difficult for me, but it is part of the atmosphere in this town as well as a reality of racism. Plus, there are scenes of the Klan with burning crosses and white sheets et al. This too is reality. The Klan now uses automated telephone calling, leaving flyers and pamphlets on doors (which direct people to websites with "hotlines" that use pre-recorded Klan propaganda messaging), opportunistic exploiting of hot-button divisive political issues for recruitment, plus visibility in parades or marches and their signature intimidation tactics are still in use. Their recruiting is alive and well.

In my opinion, this is a five-star movie. Give it a watch with popcorn and tissues. Enjoy the craftsmanship of storytelling done well. I know it isn't perfect, but it is truly good.

Please share in the comments your thoughts on this movie.

     

Movie Trailer:

    

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Review - The Forty Year Grudge

 Liza Tully lives in Boston, MA with her husband and their dog, Fred. She is a firm believer in reading escapist fiction that makes you laugh as well as think.

"When the World’s Greatest Detective reunites with her college friends, she discovers that time doesn’t heal all wounds."

I hadn't read the first book in the series, The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant, but I was able to understand any backstory easily.   

Author: Liza Tully

Copyright: June 2026 (Berkley) 352 pgs

Series: 2nd in Merritt & Blunt Mysteries

Sensuality: Some language

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy, Private detective/investigator

Main Character: Olivia Blunt, personal assistant and detective in training

Setting: Modern time, New Mexico

Obtained Through: NetGalley/publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "It's been four decades since the women of Sigma Delta Tau were last together. The passing years, growing families, and maturing careers may have strained the bonds of sisterhood, but now a reunion at the Western ranch of one member offers an opportunity to renew acquaintances…and at least one long-standing grudge.

Still, this weekend is supposed to be a pleasant diversion for former sorority member and current private investigator Aubrey Merritt. She's come to New Mexico to reconnect with old friends and she's brought along her personal assistant, Olivia Blunt—an aspiring detective who is learning more about packing bags on this trip than about solving crimes.

The shocking murder of a sorority sister changes everything. With the local police overmatched, all eyes turn to Merritt and Blunt to crack the case. With a surprising abundance of suspects, it's going to take both of them to cut through the knot of old hurts and current grievances to find the killer."

My Thoughts:

Olivia Blunt isn't perfect, but she is learning the PI business from the best. She isn't sure of herself yet, but she is determined to improve. I liked her character and could relate.

Aubrey Merritt is precise and analytical, but this case presents personal connections, particularly the host of the reunion is a friend - and Merritt doesn't count many in the category. At times there is a hint of Merritt perhaps starting to like her green assistant/trainee.

Sigma Delta Tau sorority members attending the weekend with spouses are all interesting and the past slights and betrayals start popping to the surface. This makes for a full suspect pool.

The remote New Mexico setting ramps up the atmosphere of being isolated with a killer. A killer clever enough take advantage of a perfect situation to murder where somebody else will be the obvious prime suspect. 

This is a classic murder plot with enough red herrings to keep it interesting. The pacing kept things moving along at a good clip without feeling slow or rushed. The climax was the only part that I wished different. It seemed rather uneventful. I love a gripping killer reveal, but that doesn't happen here. It is a bit more like the old Ellery Queen show and books where the suspects are gathered together and the killer is revealed. Nothing wrong with that at all, seems I've gotten a little spoiled.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Have you read this or the prior book in the series? Please leave a comment on what you thought. I love comments, so share.

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Author Interview - Liza Tully

Liza Tully is a pseudonym for Elisabeth Brink, who writes dark thrillers under the name Elisabeth Elo, as well as literary fiction under the name Elisabeth Panttaja Brink. 

Before turning to fiction writing, she worked as an editor at a children’s magazine, a project manager at a tech company, and a counselor at a halfway house. A magna cum laude graduate of Brown University, she earned a PhD in American Literature from Brandeis University, and is the author of scholarly articles on diverse subjects. She lives in Boston, MA.  

“Standing ovation! Fans of Anthony Horowitz and Richard Osman will swoon to find their new favorite author.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan

“What a terrific start to a new series: Liza Tully has reeled me in.” — Criminal Element

Please give a warm welcome to Liza Tully!

Interview with author Liza Tully

I will be reviewing her newest book, The Forty Year Grudge, soon.

Why do you write? Do you love it or love having done it? What motivates you?

Writing totally engages me—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically to the extent that I almost feel in my body the things that are happening on the page. Readers feel this too—imaging tests have shown that our movement neurons (or something like that) light up when we’re reading. Maybe that’s why writers love putting in chase scenes or fight scenes or train rides with changing scenery. The sense of movement can be as engaging as the emotion.

In my life, I can’t think of any activities besides writing and reading that give that sense of total engagement, but I’m sure there are many. Maybe runners feel that when they’re running: somehow they’re experiencing much more than the rest of us imagine. They hit the trail and forget their problems. For a little while, mind, body, and spirit are all turned on and working together. Once you feel that, you probably want to do it again.

Do you outline the plot or some variation of that (a little/a lot of detail, a strict 3 act structure etc.) before sitting down and writing?

I scribble in a notebook anything that comes to me--character, setting, plot, odd details. I just let my mind roam. I write lists: members of a family, suspects, plot points. As long as I’m not wedded to anything, it doesn’t matter what I put down. I sometimes ask myself general questions such as “Why do people murder?” Or “What makes siblings angry at each other?” Or “Why do people dread school reunions?” I think about it for a while and write down the answer. Sometimes I try a little outline, and if I don’t know what should come next in the story, I ask, “What should come next in this story?” and write down whatever pops into my mind.

I don’t have to use any of it. I don’t even read it over. If I lost the notebook, it wouldn’t matter. The main thing is that I scare up a lot of ideas, so when it’s time for a first draft I have almost too much material rather than too little.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing and how long does it take you to write a book?

I used to write mostly on weekends when I could. My schedule was pretty erratic. Now that I’m writing fulltime, my schedule is much more consistent. I usually write from noon to four (if I’m writing new stuff); or from noon to six (if I’ve already got a draft). If I’m doing something like editing that doesn’t require any invention, I might work from noon until seven or eight. In that kind of situation, I actually prefer to work longer hours to get it done.

I start at noon because it’s hard to concentrate if I have too many “to dos” hanging over me--things like bills, appointments, house stuff, food stuff, social stuff, exercise. I try to get as much of that out of the way as possible in the morning, so I can sit down at my desk at noon without guilt. I think this habit is a holdover from the era of my life when I felt that writing fiction was a self-indulgent activity and I could only justify the time if I wasn’t behind on anything else.

Writing a novel has taken me as long as three years, but that was when I was working, raising kids, and not very confident. My ideal time now is eighteen months. If I had a really ambitious project, which I don’t at the moment, it would probably take longer.

What in your background prepared you to write mysteries? (from her website)

The only sign that I would eventually become a writer is that I was a voracious reader as a kid. I remember riding my bike to the public library in my town and trying to fit all the books I’d borrowed into my bike basket. On the way home, I had to watch out for all the bumps in the road so the books wouldn’t bounce out onto the street. 

Back then, I couldn’t imagine ever becoming an author. It seemed like such an exotic, out-of-reach job, like being a movie star. And I couldn’t imagine sitting by myself for hours, days, weeks, months, years, or however long it took professional authors to write books. I had enough trouble doing my homework.  

But I was always writing or editing something. After college, I got a job as an editorial assistant for a children’s magazine called Cricket. It was loads of fun and I thought I would go to New York and become a trade book editor, but fate took me in another direction, and I ended up being a technical editor for, among other things, a periodical called the Swine Report (yes, it was about pigs). After that I wrote marketing material, ad copy, whatever came my way. Then in grad school, it was scholarly essays (Cinderella, fairy tale heroines, Walt Whitman). 

In my thirties, I was raising kids and working as an adjunct professor teaching English. It was a busy life, but I was restless. I needed a challenge, something to keep my mind humming and growing, so one Sunday morning, almost on a whim, I wrote the first draft of a short story. 

I’ve been writing fiction ever since. First a lot of short stories published in various literary journals; then, finally, my first novel, a comedy called SAVE YOUR OWN (an Indie Next Pick) published under the name Elisabeth Brink by then Houghton Mifflin. From there, under the name Elisabeth Elo, I wrote a suspense novel called NORTH OF BOSTON (Viking 2014) that Booklist named as one of the best debut crime novels of 2014. That was followed by FINDING KATARINA M (Polis 2019) which Publisher’s Weekly called “a tense and illuminating journey” and Elizabeth George called “an amazing accomplishment.”

Which brings me to where I am now, with my Merritt and Blunt mystery series written under the name Liza Tully. 

How did you get your first break to getting published? Was it at a writer's conference or mailing a query letter?

I started writing short stories. They’re very hard to get published, so I had to adapt to getting many rejections before an acceptance. That experience probably helped me when I finished my first novel and started querying literary agents. I expected to receive many rejections and wasn’t overly dispirited by them. However, it was still a grind. My first novel was never published; neither was my second.

I’ve had better luck since then, but there’s never been a time when I’ve felt secure. I know of too many writers whose published novels got good reviews and seemed to do pretty well, and then these writers seemed to just disappear from the scene. I doubt it was because they stopped writing. I think it was because they stopped getting published—probably for reasons they couldn’t control. Basically, this industry is brutal. You have to be crazy to do it. Turns out, quite a lot of people are. (To answer your question, I’ve relied on query letters.)

Tell us about your next book in the series - or next project? What is your biggest challenge with it?

The next book in the Merritt & Blunt mystery series is set in New York City. The mystery centers on an influential family and the theatre world. My biggest challenge is plotting the relationship between the two main characters (the famous detective, Merritt, and the rookie detective, Blunt). Most of the humor in the first two books relied on Blunt being a bit of a doofus and thus bringing out the worst in Merritt.

That dynamic can’t continue forever without becoming a rather tiring cliché that ignores the characters’ true complexity. Blunt is actually pretty smart, and Merritt does have a smidgen of affection for her protégé and a tiny streak of kindness. So now they’re depending on their author (me!) to do them justice while readers (I assume) are still expecting me to be funny. Oy vey. As one of the characters in the book keeps saying, “My nerves are frayed!”

Do you have a newsletter or blog for readers to stay informed of your news?

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter for updates, giveaways, musings, book recs, and information about new releases on her website at the bottom of the page (click here) 

Instagram (click here) 

Thank you so very much for this interview, your journey to a successful author is interesting and enlightening.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

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Review - Cat On A Hot Tin Woof

 "Spencer Quinn is the pen name of Peter Abrahams, the Edgar-award winning author of many novels, including the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series, Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge, The Right Side, and Oblivion, as well as the New York Times bestselling Bowser and Birdie series for younger readers. He lives on Cape Cod with his wife Diana―and pet Dottie." 

“I have been a Chet and Bernie fan from the start.” Stephen King

Even though this is my first in the series, it was easy to pick up any back story. See what I think of my first Chet and Bernie mystery.

Author: Spencer Quinn

Copyright: April 2026 (Minotaur Books) 313 pgs

Series: 16th in Chet & Bernie Mysteries

Sensuality: Some moderate violence, swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Private Investigator, Animal Mystery

Main Character: Bernie Little. Narrator: German Shepard Chet

Setting: Current day, Arizona desert

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person—only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.

     Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially, but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was. With Miss Kitty gone, the family's income is on the line.

     The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed twice—and there's evidence implicating Bernie in the crime."

My Thoughts:

This is a unique book in that you don't often have a German Shepherd narrate the story.  It took awhile for me to get used to Chet's style.  It's like a stream of conscious with an easily distracted mind chasing stray thoughts. Sometimes it's hilarious and other times it was distracting. "Chet the Jet" wonders about human's strange ways - to a dog's way of thinking.  Chet doesn't like the latest case since he mistrusts cats... a lot.

Chet is completely loyal and adoring of Bernie, the private investigator and partner in the biz. As the story's narrator he has a touch of hard-boiled style mixed with humor.

Bernie is a determined investigator, often needing a cash infusion to cover his bills. He has a girlfriend, and an ex-wife who makes an appearance.

I liked the idea of Miss Kitty being a viral sensation who was "cat-napped" because it gets into the money deals for sponsorships to viral content makers. There are several mysteries to be solved in the course of this case which makes it quite interesting. 

If you are an animal lover, this maybe a fun series to jump into. 

Please share in the comments if you have read any of the prior books in the series and what you thought. 

Rating: Excellent - enjoyed it! Fun concept, but may not be for everyone. Perhaps look at a chapter in a book store before purchasing to ensure it is your style.

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Action Thriller Movie Review - 16 Blocks

 This 2006 thriller is written for movie, so no book first. It is one of those movies that you either liked/loved or hated. But I consider this a classic action thriller of its era. 

What it's about:

"Boozy and world-weary, NYPD Detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) draws a routine assignment to transport trial witness Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) to the courthouse by 10 a.m. The task quickly becomes a deadly game of cat-and-mouse when some of Jack's fellow officers arrive to kill Eddie so that he cannot testify against them. Jack sees a way to redeem his wasted life by protecting the affable Eddie from the would-be assassins." Rotten Tomatoes    

Taglines:

-- For a New York cop and his witness, the distance between life and death just got very short.

-- 1 Witness... 118 Minutes...

     

Cast:

-- Bruce Willis as Jack Mosley

-- Yasiin Bey/Mos Def as Eddie Bunker

-- David Morse as Frank Nugent

-- Jenna Stern as Diane Mosley

-- Casey Sander as Capt. Dan Gruber

-- Director Richard Donner

-- Writer Richard Wenk

Rated PG-13  1 hour 42 minutes

     

Rotten Tomatoes (55%) and critics reviews:

***In its opening weekend, the film grossed $12.7 million, which was the second-highest-grossing film of the weekend.  The film made $51.53 million on rentals and remained on the DVD top 50 charts for 17 consecutive weeks.

-- "B-movie done with shrewd aplomb." Fernando F. Croce for CinePassion

-- "At its heart, this is actually an excellent film. But, as filmmakers seek to escalate the big action, believability suffers severely." Ross Anthony for Hollywood Report Card

-- "The most high-octane action-- pyrotechnics, fisticuffs, gunplay, car crashes, back alley dashes and fire escape leaps-- ever crammed into a pressure-cooked chase lasting less than a mile." Kam Williams for Bean Soup Times

-- "16 Blocks does stretch credulity at times. But ... you overlook some of its more outlandish facets until you are in the lobby and reflecting on what you saw." Bob Bloom for Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

-- "Willis and Def are wonderful...Donner (Lethal Weapon) unleashes a tight, effective yarn." Caffeinated Clint for Brag Magazine

-- "For the dull and preposterous 95 minutes of 16 Blocks, audiences are sentenced to Willis playing a boozy burn-out and a nasal-voiced Def doing his imitation of Porky Pig." Thomas Delapa for Boulder Weekly

-- "Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon/s) is a respected old pro who knows how to make an action movie that delivers thrills and maybe something to chew on as well." Urban Cinefile Critics

-- "16 Blocks can happily sit alongside Inside Man as an example of a well-made, superbly-acted, intelligent thriller. More of these, please." Matthew Turner for ViewLondon

    

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

2006 Black Movie Award Nominee 

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Yasiin Bey/Mos Def

  

Trivia (from IMDB):

-- Willis originally wanted rapper Ludacris to play the part of Eddie Bunker.

-- Yasiin Bey appears credited in this movie by his then artistic name, Mos Def. He changed it to Yasiin Bey in 2011.

-- In order to make Detective Jack Mosley's limp look realistic on screen, Bruce Willis put a pebble in his shoe and kept it there throughout the length of the shoot.

-- 16 Blocks is the second film in which David Morse plays the villain to Bruce Willis as the protagonist; the first was 12 Monkeys.

-- There was an alternate ending considered, but they ended up sticking with the ending originally written in the screenplay.

-- Yasiin Bey's character has the name "Edward Bunker". Edward Bunker is a real-life criminal turned actor (thus proving that people can change, in line with the theme of the movie).

-- Eddie Bunker, played by Yasiin Bey, cites Chuck Berry as an example of a man who was able to change his life after getting out of prison. Two years later, Yasiin Bey played the part of Chuck Berry in the movie Cadillac Records (2008).

-- This was Richard Donner's final film before his death on July 5, 2021 at the age of 91. This is Donner's 12th film distributed by Warner Bros.

-- The film's writer, Richard Wenk, has reported that he originally conceived of the project with himself as writer and director. Wenk said that upon hearing his pitch for his new film, Donner "liked it so much that he didn't want me to direct it; he wanted to direct." Wenk tells this story in the documentary about screen writing, Tales from the Script (2009).

-- A Richard Donner trademark: When Jack parks his car to buy a drink, he appears to park outside a PETA office. Donner would often include animal rights posters or messages in his action movies.

My Thoughts:

     This is another movie that I saw years ago and it stuck with me, unlike most action thriller movies that I forget as the credits roll. So again, I feel that makes this definitely worth sharing.  Bruce Willis and Mos Def are magic together and give wonderful performances IMHO. Willis makes you feel old and tired and you can practically smell the booze rolling off him with his portrayal.  

     As an action thriller, practically the entire movie is a chase, but somehow each improbable narrow escape works- probably because they have to work for it. The sense of place is prevalent throughout and you know this is New York City because you feel the immediacy, traffic, and energy in every moment. Unlike so many action movies, this gives you solid character development and I think of it as equally character as well as action driven. 

     While this is definitely a thriller, it is a redemption tale at its heart which elevates the movie in my opinion. I like that there are plenty of moments to breath that breaks up the tense action parts. This movie could have ended right after the climatic resolution, but I love the wrap-up scene that puts a smile on your face.

     If you are in the mood for a classic action thriller by a stellar director with solid acting, look for this movie (I re-watched it on Tubi.)  I would love it if you shared in the comments your thoughts on this movie.

     

Movie Trailer:

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Review - I. Spy

This new book (and series, I believe) is getting plenty of buzz before its May release.

"A gripping blend of suspenseful spy thriller with heartfelt women’s fiction, I, Spy is the first in a propulsive debut series about the masks we all wear, whether as a spy or as a parent."

I knew nothing about this going in, so read on to see what I thought of it.

Author: L.M. Kemp

Copyright: May 2026 (Minotaur Books) 246 pgs

Series: 1st in Kendal Carter Books

Sensuality: Swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Espionage, Intrigue, 

Main Character: Kendal Carter, former spy for hire

Setting: Modern era, London

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Kendal Carter is out in the cold and she wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been four years since her daughter Rosie was born and Kendal has kept her miles away from the danger of her former life as a spy. But when their hiding place is discovered, Kendal is forced to turn to old contacts for help. Her longtime friend and ex-handler Rico doesn’t miss his chance to pull his best spy back in. Whisking them to London, Rico offers them a luxury safe house in an area with good schools. How can Kendal resist?

     But there’s a catch, of course. Rico wants Kendal to come back to work for his espionage agency Bon Temps. He’s offering an assignment with no apparent downside, investigating one of the dads at Rosie’s new school who works at one of London’s biggest, murkiest tech firms and suspected of being up to no good. It should be easy enough for someone with her experience, and luckily, mother is the perfect cover.

     However, it doesn’t take long for Kendal to realize that Rico’s got an agenda of his own. The tech firm may be dealing in darker and more deadly secrets than they all realize, plus the world of coffee mornings and playdates comes with its own web of allegiances and betrayals. Kendal soon finds herself in way too deep . . ."

My Thoughts:

     Kendal Carter (code name 96) was a spy, until she became a mom. That's when she left that life behind to raise her child in obscurity. Khalil Masoumi is the father and even though he is dead, Kendal still misses him deeply. Unfortunately, spying didn't forget her... she grabs her child and races away from a goon squad breaking into her apartment. Just like that, she is sucked back into the game. She takes a job with the promise she will be safe in exchange for housing. Kendal is good, but a touch rusty after four years off the job grieving. She has to get up to speed lickety-split, but perhaps even more of a challenge is being social with other moms at Rosie's new school.

     Former boss, Rico, seems sketchy throughout and I was never sure about him until the end. He seems morally grey. Plus there is Joel that is new to the spy-for-hire biz and Rico wants Kendal, as a pro with lots of experience, to show him "the ropes" of the company. Oh yeah, he lives in the basement of the wonderful home Rico is providing Kendal. Fortunately, Joel is an easy going nerd and even helps out with Rosie.

     The author makes the mundane world of school and fellow moms seem like a web of hidden agendas and shifting alliances. You'll never look at PTA the same! 

     The story moves along at a good clip and before I knew it the resolution and final of a few twists hits.  The wrap up leaves it open for a series and I hope that's the case because this is a solid intrigue tale and Kendal is a great character to carry the series with her four-year old child.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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Mystery Movie Review - Twisted

This 2004 film is a crime drama, mystery, noir thriller, or psychological thriller.  I saw this years ago and still remember it, so I wanted to share it with you.

What it's about:

Recently promoted and transferred to the homicide division, Inspector Jessica Shepard feels pressure to prove herself. She is assigned to hunt down a serial killer who is murdering the men she recently dated. Then she starts blacking out on the night of each murder, and she becomes the prime suspect. She needs to find and catch the killer fast.

Taglines:

-- Every murder has a mark.

-- An elusive killer. A brilliant detective. Maybe one and the same?

Cast:

-- Ashley Judd as Jessica Shepard

-- Samuel L. Jackson as John Mills

-- Andy Garcia as Mike Delmarco

-- David Strathairn as Dr. Melvin Frank

-- Russell Wong as Lieutenant Tong

-- Mark Pellegrino as Jimmy Schmidt

-- Titus Welliver as Dale Becker

-- Director: Philip Kaufman

-- Writer: Sarah Thorp

Rated R  1 hour 37 minutes

violence, language, and slight sexuality.

Rotten Tomatoes and critics reviews:

-- Critics hated this movie and trashed it vehemently. They pretty much hated everything about it from the script to the actors saying "Numbingly predictable, inept, and boring".  Such critical condemnation is probably why it didn't do well at the box office.  Audiences who did watch it were split between thinking it was an average and okay-to-good thriller to just simply thinking it was dull and not worth the time.

     

-- "I agree, that this movie is a good thriller movie to be watched. I was entertained by this movie, and I kinda guessed wrongly in the beginning." IMDB

     

-- "My expectations were fulfilled. I mean I knew that this one was not a top thriller but at least it was better than the last ones I s[aw]. I spent an entertaining evening with my wife who didn't fall asleep this time. This movie kept your attention from beginning and during all the time you are asking who the real murder is. The performance of Ashley Judd in her psycho role was very good and for all fans of her this is a must see. Yeah, it's a good psycho-thriller with a surprising end. I am wondering why so many critics are negative here. There are no doubt more movies who deserved less good votes than Twisted." -IMDB

     

-- "If pressed, I would say that this film is a noir thriller, though it's so much more. There's a great love story here too (actually there are many kinds of love stories in the film and one really twisted one-thus the title). The direction, the camera-work and acting are all great." IMDB

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

Hollywood Film Awards

2004 Winner-Hollywood Film Award

Make-Up of the Year: Ve Neill

Trivia (from IMDB):

-- "Jessica Shepard's promotion from Officer to Inspector isn't as big a jump as it sounds. The S.F.P.D., unlike nearly all other municipal police departments, does not have a traditional Detective rank. The Inspector rank is simply the next rank above Officer, and an Inspector's responsibilities are exactly like those of a Detective in most other police departments."

-- "Internationally, the movie was renamed through multiple titles. Including "Blackout," "Stalked," "I Can't Believe It's You," "Murderous Instincts," "Unexpected Twist," and "An Eclipse." Additionally, "Blackout" was the film's original title during production."

-- "Filming San Francisco practically earned co-star credit, so director Philip Kaufman fought to shoot the movie in the city he knew so well. Well-known San Francisco bars and restaurants in the film include Tosca Café and Vesuvio, both on Columbus Avenue in the North Beach district, as well as Red's Java House, at Pier 30 on the waterfront. Several scenes were also filmed at the Palace of Fine Arts, with its unmistakable rotunda and lagoon."

-- "According to Philip Kaufman, it was Ashley Judd's idea to cut her hair short for the movie because she believed that's the way a cop would wear it."

-- "The cast includes three Oscar nominees: Andy Garcia, Samuel L. Jackson, and David Strathairn."

-- "Jessica Shepard's final confrontation with the villain was filmed at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. The ship behind her is the Balclutha, built in 1886."

My Thoughts:

I first saw this movie many years ago, but it stuck with me.  Which, I feel makes this movie deserving of inclusion in my movie reviews.  I re-watched it to have it fresh in my mind for the review. Many movies that were praised by critics I couldn't remember much, if anything, but this one really got to me.  

As always, Ashley Judd had me invested in her story and afraid for her. Andy Garcia gave a wonderful supporting character that you weren't sure of until the end and Samuel L. Jackson played a bit more subdued and nuanced character than his usual. 

This had many noir elements that gave the film a gritty vibe. This is a journey as Judd gives us a police officer who begins to loose time and as she becomes the only suspect she looses faith in herself and wonders if she was the killer during her black outs.

The climax-killer reveal is a twist followed by a cat-and-mouse foot-chase at a dock/marina with fog and plenty of noir atmosphere that I thought was effective for ramping up the suspense.

Overall I really like this film and believe it's underrated.  Give it a try and please let me know your thoughts on the movie in the comments.

Movie Trailer:

     

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Review - Naked in Death

 J. D. Robb is the pseudonym for a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including the bestselling In Death series. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.  

     

When other bestselling authors praise this series like this: "“Anchored by terrific characters, sudden twists that spin the whole narrative on a dime, and a thrills-to-chills ration that will raise the neck hairs of even the most jaded reader, the J. D. Robb books are the epitome of great popular fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane" I finally caved and dove into this world.

     

There are 63 titles at this point in the series and I chose to start at book one.  I wanted to know about this Science Fiction Detective series and see if it was my cup of tea.  Read on to find out more.

     

Author: J.D. Robb

Copyright: July 1995 (Berkley) 381 pgs

Series: 1st of In Death (Eve Dallas) series

Sensuality: Some sex scenes, some violence, some cursing. Gritty.

Mystery Sub-genre: SciFi Police Procedural, SciFi Police Thriller

Main Character: Detective Eve Dallas of the NYPD

Setting: Year 2058, New York City

Obtained Through: Library

     

Book Blurb: "In the year 2058, technology completely rules the world. But for New York City Detective Eve Dallas, one irresistible impulse still rules the heart: passion…

     

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all—and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire—and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about—except the addictive hunger of needing his touch."

     

My Thoughts:

I find it interesting that when this was written the book was only 63 years in the future and the level of technological advances seemed possible at that point.  It could still happen, but the social advances in the book seem further away than ever.  Thus, the technology aspects are advanced and other than interplanetary business don't seem too far out-of-reach. 

     

Eve Dallas is a hard-core bad-ass thirty year-old police lieutenant who keeps her emotions locked up tight, especially trust. She had a bad childhood.  Mavis is Eve's best friend and couldn't be more opposite to Eve, but somehow their friendship works.  Captain Ryan Feeney of the NYPDs Electronics Division is her former police partner, trainer, and her first adult male friend who cares about her almost like a father figure.  Roarke (just Roarke) is a suspect and ticks all the boxes. He is handsome, rich, powerful, and on the surface seems nothing like a killer. Unfortunately, Eve feels intensely attracted to him.

     

I appreciated that Eve is shown with the emotional baggage from her last case where she had to shoot a killer but kicks herself for not being in time to save a young girl. The reader gets the vulnerable Eve, the Eve nobody else gets to see. We also get to see just how good she is and how she reasons through the evidence and does get emotionally involved as she bulldozes through lies and deceptions.

     

Surprisingly, the futuristic elements aren't what I remember because it is window dressing in most cases thus far. The setting of New York is a big city where wealthy and powerful think they don't have to live by the same rules, where people are to be used and how you let all that define you is the story. Not much different from our era now. Nora Roberts (aka, J.D. Robb) is masterful at bringing a setting alive whether it's a grimy back alley or a penthouse, her subtle use of details makes it feel real.

     

The Sci-Fi elements take a back seat to a solid police procedural. There are suspects, clues and red herrings, danger, subplots, fleshed out characters, deep sense of place and a tense killer confrontation. The pacing kept me turning the pages and the magic of loosing track of time took over.  It is immersive.  The writing is like a Hitchcock film, building layers of tension until the killer confrontation.

     

Such a gritty homicide detective story usually falls into the common trap of a dismal and hopeless feel of crime and violence galore. But not in this book, and I daresay the same for the entire series. Rather it has hope and a sense of shared humanity, even romance and connection. Don't get me wrong, this is not a romance novel, but it certainly has a romantic element in it which I think is crucial since Eve is rather shut off towards men.

     

I was completely surprised by how much I came away loving this world and characters. I don't often rave about a book, but I'm already reading the second and can see myself making my way through all of the series. I love this gift of great genre writing. Thank you Nora Roberts!

Here is Nora Roberts discussing the series:

     

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

     

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Mystery Movie Review - Murder at 1600

 This 1997 Crime Drama/Mystery/Political Thriller didn't start as a book. It was written for screen and for pure entertainment value.

What it's about:

"A secretary is found dead in a White House bathroom during an international crisis, and Detective Harlan Regis is in charge of the investigation. Despite resistance from the Secret Service, Regis partners with agent Nina Chance. As political tensions rise, they learn that the crime could be part of an elaborate cover-up. Framed as traitors, the pair and Regis' partner break into the White House to expose the true culprit."

      

Rated R  1 hour 47 minutes

for sexuality, violence, and some language

   

Taglines: 

-- He's a D.C. cop on the outside. She's a Secret Service agent on the inside. Tracking a White House homicide to the First Family's front door.

-- This address changes all the rules.

     

Cast:

-- Wesley Snipes as Detective Harlan Regis

-- Diane Lane as Secret Service agent Nina Chance

-- Daniel Benzali as Secret Service Agent Nick Spikings

-- Dennis Miller as Detective Stengel

-- Alan Alda as  National Security Advisor Alvin Jordan

-- Ronny Cox as President Jack Neil

-- Diane Baker as First Lady Kitty Neil

-- Tate Donovan as First Son Kyle Neil

Director: Dwight H. Little

Writers: Wayne BeachDavid Hodgin

Rotten Tomatoes (33%) and critics reviews:

-- "B- grade" Lisa Schwarzbaum-Entertainment Weekly

-- "Wesley Snipes is in top form. A top-notch action thriller." Rob Blackwelder-SPLICEDWire

-- "The last third of the film is a ready-made action movie plug-in." Roger Ebert-Chicago Sun-Times

-- "Murder is a fairly diverting game of whodunit, like a big-screen version of Clue, until it sinks into routine thriller antics and wraps up preposterously." Susan Wloszczyna-USA Today

-- "Murder at 1600 is an enjoyable thriller. ...on the whole the plot leaves the viewer in some suspense. As a "whodunnit", the movie succeeds, and as for this reviewer, the murderer and the actual conspiracy isn't evident till near the end. Wayne Beach and the late David Hodgin create enough plot twists to keep most viewers guessing. Director Dwight Little keeps things tight and well-paced. There is a good sense of logic to Murder at 1600's execution.  It's arguably one of the best films Snipes has starred in. And refreshingly for Hollywood, we do not have a male European-American hero saving the day with his African-American sidekick." Jack Yan-IMDB

-- "Murder at 1600 is an OK thriller film. The cast all does a pretty good job, especially Diane Lane and Wesley Snipes. Alan Alda also does a good sufficient job at portraying his role. The film does at least keep you guessing for the majority of the runtime. The mystery kinda builds as it goes, which is always fun. The mystery isn't the greatest one ever to be in a movie, but it is interesting to see how it all comes and works together to see who is behind everything and why in the end." DavisPittman-IMDB

Trivia (from IMDB):

Trivia (from IMDB):

-- Wesley Snipes replaced Bruce Willis in the lead role of Detective Harlan Regis after Willis withdrew from the movie.

-- David Caruso still thinks he should have been in this movie.

-- Director Dwight Little said that he had been promised Murder at 1600 would be released before Absolute Power. When Clint Eastwood heard that Murder at 1600 was getting positive test screenings, Little said Eastwood convinced Warner Bros. to release Absolute Power first, causing Murder at 1600 to look like a copycat.

-- Although scenes were filmed in Washington, D.C., primary locations were in Toronto, Canada and nearby locations in Ontario... a new Oval Office was built at Cinespace Film Studios in Kleinburg [specifically for this film.]

-- Love scenes between Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane were some of the scenes which were cut from the film, apparently because it was felt that their characters interracial romance didn't work.

-- The book on Detective Stengel's (Dennis Miller) nightstand at approx 39m is Isaac Asimov's The Martian Way.

-- There is an unused music score composed by Basil Poledouris. His name, however, appears on the trailer as being the music composer.

     

My Thoughts:

It's rated "R" for a reason, but that aside this is an enjoyable political thriller.  Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane both gave solid performances and Alan Alda, too. I always enjoy Daniel Benzali and he delivered here. 

When you want a tense movie with some action and mystery to sit back and enjoy, this is a good one. This movie didn't try for Oscar winning, it went for the entertainment value and it scored well for that. 

I didn't guess who was behind the murder or why until close to the reveal. Good job there.

If you haven't seen this before, give it a try. If you haven't seen it in a while, watch it again for a  popcorn night. Yes, I own a DVD of this movie.

     

Movie Trailer:

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Review - Dungeons And Danger

 Elizabeth Penney is the author of the Apron Shop Series and the Cambridge Bookshop Series, both from St. Martin's Press. She is also the author of women's fiction and mysteries for Annie's Fiction and Guideposts. This is a second installment in the Ravensea Castle Mysteries. Read on to see if this book passed the second book challenge with a win or not.

1) Bodies and Battlements (click here) 

Author: Elizabeth Penney 

Copyright: May 2026 (Minotaur Books) 290 pgs

Series: 2nd in Ravensea Castle Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy myster, amateur sleuth

Main Character:  Nora Asquith, Herbalist turned castle B&B proprietor

Setting: Modern day, Monkwell, Yorkshire in England

Obtained Through: Publisher via Netgalley, for honest review

Book Blurb: "As Halloween approaches, Ravensea Castle is bustling with excitement as Nora Asquith welcomes the fall season guests to her family's newly converted bed and breakfast. A historian studying the movements of the Vikings has traced their exploits to Ravensea. A certain Viking woman, known as the Red Maiden, landed here and the historian believes she buried a treasure hoard before the castle was built. He is hopeful he can find the hoard now. Nora can't help but wonder if the enigmatic castle ghost she's always referred to as the woman in red could be this very Viking?

Meanwhile, a team of four ghost hunters is coming to stay at Ravensea for the filming of Britain's Got Ghosts. Former students of the historian, the group arrives with their own rivalries and baggage. They try to see who can make the most paranormal contacts and end up getting more than they bargained for.

When the historian is murdered during a Viking festival on castle grounds and his notes go missing, Nora can't help but wonder if the treasure was why he was killed . . . and could it be connected to the visiting ghost hunters? Additional "accidents" befalling the hunters raise the stakes as Nora races to find the killer—and the treasure—before another death occurs."

My Thoughts:

This is a solid second book and shows the setting and recurring characters have what it takes to carry the series.

Nora Asquith has her hands full with all these guests and the rivalries and hidden agendas. She shows her inner strength in this outing.  I appreciate how her sister, Tamsyn (a popular actress) and her father, Arthur (writing the family history) work together as a team running the castle and dealing with this unruly gang.  Nora's brother doesn't live at the castle, but he brews his own mead and in this outing he puts together what he hopes will be an annual celebration of Vikings that were part of the town's history.

Detective Inspector Finlay Cole has become Nora's boyfriend so he isn't allowed to investigate or be involved in any sense. The person running the investigation seems to have it out for Nora and her sleuthing ways.

I loved the huge Viking festival and how it added to the flavor of the setting but also made the celebration a good cover for dark deeds.  I feel the castle is again used well for a backdrop. The encounters with the ghosts were mostly fun.

The story flowed well with pacing done just right. The basic plot of a killer among a group together in an atmospheric setting has been done often but usually goes for light horror, but rest easy here. The author handles this with a true cozy light hand giving just enough to gives us some thrills while keeping it lighthearted with the resident ghosts. If anything it weaves the thread that the living are far worse than ghosts. 

The killer confrontation was plenty tense and even the wrap up had a final tense bit before all is tied up nicely. A very enjoyable and solid mystery.  Was there any treasure? You'll have to read it to find out!

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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