Movie Review - Murder By Numbers

2002 American psychological thriller film loosely based on the Leopold and Loeb case of May 1924, at the time it was called "the crime of the century." 

Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb (aged 19 and 18 respectively) were considered quite intelligent at very young ages. Reportedly they kidnapped and murdered  a 14 year-old child to demonstrate their superior towering intellect, believing that enabled and "entitled" them to carry out a "perfect crime" without consequences.

What it's about:

"Two gifted high school students [Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt] execute a perfect murder - then become engaged in an intellectual contest with a seasoned homicide detective [Sandra Bullock]."

 

Taglines:

• Justice will be served
• Let The Mind Games Begin
• The only flaw in their plan was her
• She was the only flaw in their plan

Rated R  1 hour 55 minutes

Rated R for violence, language, a sex scene and brief drug use.

Cast:

• Sandra Bullock as Detective Cassie Mayweather
• Ben Chaplin as Detective Sam Kennedy
• Ryan Gosling as Richard Haywood
• Michael Pitt as Justin Pendleton
• Agnes Bruckner as Lisa Mills
• Chris Penn as Ray
• R.D. Call as Captain Rod Cody

• Writer: Tony Gayton
• Director: Barbet Schroeder 

Rotten Tomatoes (37) IMDB (6.2 of 10) and reviews:

"Great movie! Surprised by such low scores here. It is an entertaining watch and a great plot. As a side note, early 2000's movies are just peak filmmaking. Sure it is somewhat predictable with two teens trying to get away with murder, but is still unique compared to what is released nowadays! Great cast and excellent acting." Jovana M--Rotten Tomatoes

"Murder by Numbers is an easy-to-watch but highly predictable thriller. It moves along smoothly and stays competent throughout, yet it plays things far too safe, placing every twist exactly where you expect it... Sandra Bullock is the clear highlight, stepping away from her usual warmth to portray a more guarded and weary character, often elevating scenes that would otherwise feel flat." Marco L--Rotten Tomatoes

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

2003 Nominee CFCA Award: Most Promising Performer

Ryan Gosling

Young Artist Awards

2003 Nominee Young Artist Award

Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress

Agnes Bruckner

Trivia (from IMDB):

• This is the fourth Hollywood film adaptation of the infamous 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder case. The first was Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948), the second Richard Fleischer's Compulsion (1959) and the third Tom Kalin's Swoon (1992).

• The title refers to the song "Murder by Numbers," written by Sting and Andy Summers and performed by The Police, about planning the perfect murder. The original filming title was "Foolproof".

• Ryan Gosling threw up as he filmed the murdering scenes.

• Ryan Gosling was in a relationship with Sandra Bullock, having met on the set (May 2002-July 2003).

• The old lodge on the bluff was constructed especially for the movie and was torn down after filming was completed. The interior scenes were shot on a set.

• Richard's car is a Mustang, which is of the same general model type as the car driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt (1968). Although this is not a 1968 GT 390 Fastback like in Bullitt, Ryan Gosling suggested that the car be used, as he is a fan of McQueen.

• Justin (Michael Pitt) is quoting Arthur Rimbaud and reading Rimbaud's famous poem "The Drunken Boat" in one scene. At the beginning he is lecturing philosophy inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche.

My Thoughts:

While this is a police procedural, it is foremost a cat and mouse format.  As the viewer you know what the two killers are doing and their belief in their intellectual superiority and you follow the detectives zero in on them and pull every loose thread in their lies. 

I think Hitchcock must have influenced this film because the suspense grows as the investigation focuses on the two youth. A young Ryan Gosling, Michael Pitt, plus Sandra Bullock give stand out performances IMHO. In fact, most of the creepy and scary tension comes from Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt in their portrayal of smart teens who lack any conscience or empathy.

A subplot is homicide detective Cassie Mayweather's personal life as she works the case. She isn't perfect as a person, but she is definitely a good detective. This is a great departure from Bullock's usual roles showing her ability to handle a meatier role with depth and nuance. I must say that this young Ryan Gosling demonstrated early on that he is more than capable of serious roles.

Movie critics were hard on the film claiming it is formulaic storytelling that follows "typical crime thriller conventions without anything new and innovative to add to the genre." Many people prefer going into a movie knowing that it will follow a tried and true format without the often disturbing "innovations." So it depends on what you're looking for in a movie.

For me, this was a solid police procedural with good suspense and really good acting. The formulaic conventions of the genre hit just right for me and I found it suspenseful and enjoyable. I also felt it was memorable despite what the critics said at the time. 

Give it a try and decide for yourself, or re-watch. Either way share your thoughts here and lets discuss.

Please share in the comments your thoughts on this movie. I would love to hear from you.

Movie Trailer:

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Review - The Mystic and the Missing Girl

 Vikki Vansickle has worked as a bookseller, children's book author, and publishing professional with Penguin Random House Canada. Currently, she lives and writes in Toronto and hosts a book segment on a national morning show.

"Small town secrets, a reluctant psychic, and a cold case that could expose them all."

Author: Vikki Vansickle

Copyright: Sept 2026 (Minotaur Books) 336 pgs

Series: 1st in Drew Benson Psychic Mysteries

Sensuality: Some swearing sprinkled throughout, mild seduction

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Mystical touches

Main Character: Drew Benson, psychic and owner of "Good Vibrations"

Setting: Modern day, lakeside hometown of Stanfield (In Canada I'm guessing)

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review/NetGalley

Book Blurb: "Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.

Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.

But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything."

My Thoughts:

Drew Benson was a touch of a wild child in small town viewpoints. Returning to the small town after the death of her  famous psychic aunt it was inevitable to cross paths with many from her checkered past. 

Hannah Mystic has crossed over but seemed close as the twenty year anniversary of the case she couldn't solve brings a reporter doing an article about the missing girl and the psychic involved. 

Gigi is Drew's "ride or die" best friend since childhood and is the sort of friend we all wish we had. Drew is happy to be in the same town with Gigi, but not her old disastrous and wealthy boyfriend Foster Banks. Drew struggles with seeing him again.  Then there is the reporter digging up the past, Nick Campbell, a former classmate who spurs Drew to go through her aunt's old notebooks about the case, drawing her into the investigation.  I can't leave out the shop-cat, Willow, as she would never forgive me.

The setting is unobtrusive for the most part, like a watercolor background providing some soft color but not very memorable of itself. The basic plot of a TV psychic providing clues of "lake, saint, gardenia" for the missing girl's location and twenty years later the town is still bitter and blames said psychic for the girl never being found as the reporter digs up the past is a great setup. It provides tension in the town (which is the memorable setting) towards Drew and her shop along with a difficult cold case mystery. 

The pacing is well constructed to keep reader interest and I had a hard time not reading all night and day. 

The reveal had a final twist that also was logical and probable. Hannah's psychic clues finally all fell into place. The scene was slightly tense, mild for me but also more likely.

The wrap-up was particularly well done and I loved it. Overall I would say this debut is stellar on all points, there isn't anything I would change and no parts I would do differently. Well done and dare I say... fun.

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

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Mystery Movie Review - Kiss the Girls

 This 1997 movie was based on James Patterson's best-selling 1995 novel of the same name. It has neo-noir touches within a psychological thriller framework.  Four years after "Kiss the Girls," a film adaptation of another in the Alex Cross novels "Along Came a Spider" was released in 2001 where Morgan Freeman starred as Cross. 

Later, the franchise was rebooted with a 2012 adaptation of the novel Cross, titled "Alex Cross," starring Tyler Perry rather than Morgan Freeman. Currently there is a television series titled "Cross" on Paramount+ or Prime Video starring Aldis Hodge from "Leverage."  The television series thus far has 4 award wins & 20 nominations.

     

What it's about:

Washington D.C. Detective and forensic psychologist Dr Alex Cross is devastated to learn that his niece, Naomi, a college student in Durham, North Carolina, has been missing for four days. He pulls some strings to tag along with the Durham police investigation

In a parallel plotline, Dr. Kate McTiernan - a doctor and kickboxer - is abducted from her home becoming the latest victim of the "Casanova" kidnapping spree. She wakes up in a stone-walled room sick from the knock-out drugs her abductor used and discovers that other women are held captive with her, including Alex Cross' niece. 

Kate overpowers Casanova with her kickboxing abilities during one of his visits and escapes running through the woods. She is later found and taken to a hospital. Before long, Cross and Kate join forces to hunt down "Casanova" and rescue the remaining captive women.

      

Taglines:

A detective is searching for a deadly collector. His only hope is the woman who got away.

Smart Girls. Pretty Girls. Missing Girls.

      

Cast:

Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross Ashley Judd as Kate McTiernan Cary Elwes as Nick Ruskin Brian Cox as Chief Hatfield Tony Goldwyn as William Rudolph Jay O. Sanders as Kyle Craig Gina Ravera as Naomi Cross Roma Maffia as Dr. Ruocco Jeremy Piven as Henry Castillo William Converse-Roberts as Dr. Wick Sachs Writer: James Patterson and David Klass Director: Gary Fleder

Rated R  1 hour 55 minutes

      

Rotten Tomatoes and critics reviews:

35% critics, 62% audiences 

Critics were mostly critical while audiences appreciated it more for its entertainment value.

     

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

1998 Satellite Awards:

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Drama: Ashley Judd nominee

      

1998, 1999 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards:

1999 Favorite Actress - Video:  Ashley Judd nominee

1998 Favorite Actor - Suspense: Morgan Freeman nominee 

1998 Favorite Actress - Suspense: Ashley Judd nominee

1998 Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense: Cary Elwes Nominee

        

Trivia (from IMDB & others):

• Principal photography began on April 16, 1996  and was completed on July 10. The film was shot two weeks on location in North Carolina on the streets of Durham, in nearby county parks, and outside a Chapel Hill, North Carolina residence. 

• The police station was constructed in a downtown Durham warehouse.

• The majority of filming occurred in the Los Angeles area, with locations including the Disney Ranch, The Athenaeum at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, a house in the Adams historic district of Los Angeles, and on the campus of the University of Southern California in University Park. 

• Designed by American production designer Nelson Coates, the majority of the sets, including the tunnels and underground chambers, were constructed in sound stages on the Paramount Studios lot. 

• The film was not shown in some theaters in central Virginia at the time of release, due to the unsolved murders of three teenage girls in the area. This decision was out of respect for the families and surrounding communities. The murders were eventually solved.

• Ashley Judd took kick-boxing lessons from stuntman David Lea before filming. She insisted on doing many of her own stunts, but the studio finally put its foot down when she wanted to leap off a 150-foot waterfall. A stuntman, wearing a wig, made the jump instead, narrowly missing the rocks as he plummeted through the falls to the water below.

My Thoughts:

Great cast in this thriller. The book went into more graphic violence which, thankfully, wasn't included in the movie. It does have toned down and minimal violence. 

I have to hand it to the two lead stars. Morgan Freeman brings what could be a very dry role (a forensic psychologist isn't very sexy or flashy) skillfully handling making the character smart and compassionate, a touch cunning, but above all very human. Ashley Judd delivers in this difficult role of a smart and successful woman dealing with PTSD and guilt over escaping without the other captives. It's a dichotomy that takes skill and I feel her portrayal was deftly done.  

I also have to say that the movie aged well (in my opinion) as I recently re-watched it. I felt I picked up more of the nuanced acting and gained a new appreciation. It is atmospheric, the cinematography gives it the noir mood with some tension and Hitchcock-esque building of suspense. The music, while not stellar, is effective and appropriate without overpowering scenes. I don't know if this movie was par for the moment it came out but re-watching it in today's movie landscape it shines a bit brighter or I just love older movies.

There are twists to the storyline to keep it interesting, the final twist providing a gripping climatic crescendo. I appreciated that as much as I do a tense killer reveal/confrontation in books.  

I know it isn't perfect, and you can view it with a critical eye and find those imperfections, or go into it for the entertainment value and have a good movie night.  I don't think the movie was ever aiming for an Oscar, rather an engrossing time, pure escapist movie time. Mission accomplished in my opinion.

       

Please share in the comments your thoughts on this movie. I would love to hear from you.

          

Movie Trailer:

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Review - Monster in the Moonlight

Annelise Ryan is the bestselling author of the highly popular Monster Hunter Mysteries (Berkley), the hilarious Mattie Winston Mysteries (Kensington) and the Helping Hands Mysteries (Kensington). Annelise Ryan is a pseudonym for Beth Amos, who also writes the Mack's Bar Mysteries (Kensington) as Allyson K. Abbott. As Beth Amos she has three stand-alone thrillers that were published by HarperCollins and two self-published paranormal thrillers. Beth is a recently retired emergency room RN living in Wisconsin.

"A fascinating and complex novel that will appeal to both mainstream mystery lovers and fans of paranormal mysteries. Ryan has created a unique character in cryptozoologist Morgan.”—Library Journal

I read the first in the series a little while back, but didn't read the ones in between it and this fourth entry.  That didn't impact my following and understanding the storyline. Read on to see what I think. 

1) A Death in Door County (click here)  

Author: Annelise Ryan

Copyright: Nov 2025 (Berkley) 330 pgs

Series: 4th in Monster Hunter Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild, mature topics

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, cozy mystery

Main Character: Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore and a Cryptozoologist

Setting: Modern day in Door County, Wisconsin

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review/NetGalley

Book Blurb: "When a dead body turns up along a lonely country byway in rural Wisconsin, rumors of The Beast of Bray Road, a werewolf-like creature that is said to inhabit the area, are reinvigorated. For years locals have reported sightings of the terrifying creature, but this would be its first verified attack.

Marks on the dead woman’s body indicate a mauling by some kind of large animal. The wounds plus deep scratches on the victim’s car convince the community that the legendary beast is not only real but responsible for this brutal killing.

If the police have any hope of solving this crime, they’re going to need an expert—enter cryptozoologist Morgan Carter. She’s investigated sightings of eerie creatures throughout the upper Midwest. If anyone is going to track down the killer, it’s Morgan, but she may find that the Beast is not the worst thing lurking on Bray Road."

My Thoughts:

I like Morgan, she is an interesting mix of practical but not dismissive of paranormal. She tries to find logical explanations but she is open to their being cryptids if proven to her satisfaction. She is a bit stubborn at times.

In this outing she works with a different policeman. Detective Wyatt Moorhead from the town of Elkhorn. Wyatt is tall, dark, and handsome but Morgan is hoping her detective boyfriend, Jon Flanders, and her can patch up their relationship. I like Wyatt, he seems a good cop who helps people and I hope he makes appearances in further books.

I love how the author can make scenes eerie and tense just using the setting and a few elements. The mystery plot is good with a few twists nicely done. The pace is done so well I was riveted to the pages. 

The killer was revealed without threats or gun fire, no dash to get away either. It was done to be a surprise to the reader, but I had a strong suspicion and was right. Not because it was obvious. Also, Morgan solves what the sightings were!  I really liked the wrap-up as it will change a few things, but I think for the better.  I am really looking forward for the next outing.

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

Just for fun, here is a short video on the legendary Beast of Bray Road.

____________________________________________

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Mystery Movie Review - Zodiac

 This 2007 movie was based on the nonfiction books by Robert Graysmith: Zodiac (1986) and Zodiac Unmasked (2002). Graysmith was a cartoonist working for the San Francisco Chronicle when the Zodiac murders started.  

The Zodiac is an unidentified (unless you believe Graysmith's books) serial killer who murdered at least five people (he took credit for 37 murders via letters) in the San Francisco Bay Area between December 1968 and October 1969. 

The Zodiac attacked three couples and a cab driver in Benicia, Vallejo, unincorporated Napa County, and the city of San Francisco. Two of the Zodiac's seven victims survived. From 1969 to 1974, the Zodiac sent over twenty letters to newspapers, police, Chronicle reporter Paul Avery, and attorney Melvin Belli.

What it's about:

Even though the books the movie is drawn from are non-fiction this isn't a documentary. It is a fictional portrayal of what the author, Robert Graysmith (who worked the the San Francisco Chronicle), personally did over several years to find evidence that points to one man.  

The movie is a drama/police thriller that gives a picture of the police in several jurisdictions and the Chronicle reporters efforts and the suspects they pursued but were never able to gather solid proof. 

Tagline: There's more than one way to lose your life to a killer.

Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Graysmith

Robert Downey Jr. as Paul Avery

Mark Ruffalo as Inspector David Toschi

Dermot Mulroney as Captain Marty Lee

Chloë Sevigny as Melanie

Anthony Edwards as Inspector William Armstrong

Brian Cox as Melvin Belli

John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Leigh Allen

Director: David Fincher

Writers: James Vanderbilt & Robert Graysmith

Rated R  2 hour 37 minutes

Rated R for some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images

Rotten Tomatoes 90% 

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

3 wins & 71 nominations

    

Trivia (from IMDB):

• The murder victims' costumes were meticulously recreated from forensic evidence that was lent to the production.

• The film starts and ends with real-life Zodiac survivor Michael Renault Mageau's character.

• The producers hired a private investigator to track down the real-life Zodiac survivor, Michael Renault Mageau.

• Bryan C. Hartnell: the real-life survivor of the Lake Berryessa attack appears as an extra alongside his wife in the background of the scene where Marty Lee suggests to David Toschi that he take some time off work.

• When Mark Ruffalo met David Toschi, the investigator he plays in the film, he was very impressed to learn that Toschi had perfect recall of every detail of every case.

• David Fincher, screenwriter James Vanderbilt, and producer Bradley J. Fischer spent 18 months conducting research into the Zodiac murders. They interviewed witnesses, family members, suspects, retired and active investigators, the only two surviving victims, and the mayors of San Francisco and Vallejo.

• Nancy Slover, the Vallejo operator who took the first Zodiac call, was asked to help provide voice direction by selecting an audio recording of readings by various, unidentified actors. After selecting the recording that sounded closest to Zodiac, it was revealed that she'd selected a reading by John Carroll Lynch who plays prime suspect, Arthur Leigh Allen.

     

My Thoughts:

This is a thoughtful movie that builds an atmospheric San Francisco in the grip of fear during the murders.  It isn't a car chase-shooting-explosions type of movie. It provides realism in the work that went into the investigation on both the police, reporters, and Robert Graysmith's part plus the toll on their personal lives.  

The tagline gives the theme away: "There's more than one way to lose your life to a killer." It's referring to how Robert Graysmith (portrayed by Gyllenhaal) becomes obsessed with finding proof of who the killer was which takes a toll on his new marriage. Even Police Detective David Toschi (portrayed by Ruffalo) has professional problems because of the case.    

Adding up all the gathered evidence, although mostly circumstantial, does point to one man. I tend to think that primary suspect really was the killer. At the end of the movie, just before credits roll there is this statement: "...authorities scheduled a meeting to discuss charging [Arthur Leigh] Allen with the murders. Allen suffered a fatal heart attack before this meeting could take place... He [Robert Graysmith] claims he has not received a single anonymous call since Allen's death."

I found this movie on many lists for best murder mysteries or thrillers. I put off watching, thinking I didn't want to see a gory serial killer tale. I finally gave in and watched it, and I'm glad I did. 

It doesn't focus on the gore much, but rather the horror showing just enough to get the cold-blooded murders across without feeling you're bathing in blood. It had several scenes that were quite tense that added some scares. I found the script very well done, so much so that the 2 1/2 hours didn't seem that long. The cast was excellent in their roles and the cinematography was A+, even the music really set the tone well. I recommend this movie for adult audiences.

     

Please share in the comments your thoughts on this movie if you've seen it. I would love to hear from you.

Movie Trailer:

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Review - Murder at Somerset House

"Andrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards... Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut." Website

Check out my prior reviews of books in the series:

1)  Murder on Swan Lake (click here) 

2)  Murder at Halfmoon Gate (click here)  

3)  Murder at Kensington Palace (click here)   

4)  Murder at Queen's Landing (click here) 

5)  Murder at Royal Botanic Gardens (click here) 

6)  Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (click here) 

7)  Murder at the Merton Library (click here) 

Author interview (click here) 

I have adored this series since it's very beginning. Let's see how the ninth in this series has held up over the years. I somehow didn't notice the eighth book release, so I missed that one but it didn't impact my enjoying this book.

Author: Andrea Penrose

Copyright: Sept 2025 ( Kensington Books) 369 pgs

Series: 9th in Wrexford & Sloane 

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical cozy, historical amateur sleuth

Main Character: Charlotte Sloane, a satirical cartoonist under the name A.J. Quill and the Earl of Wrexford

Setting: Regency Era, London England

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Beyond the gilded ballrooms and salons of Regency London lurks a sinister web of intrigue and deception, and when a murder occurs within the scientific community, Lord Wrexford and Charlotte are the perfect pair to unravel it . . .

A welcome interlude of calm has descended on Wrexford and Charlotte, though with three lively young boys in their care and an unconventional circle of friends and allies, quiet rarely lasts long. And sure enough, in the dead of night, an old acquaintance appears and asks for help. His

brother-in-law has been accused of murdering a fellow member of the prestigious Royal Society at their London headquarters, Somerset House.

Wrexford agrees to investigate, and with a little unexpected help from their young charges, discovers that what seemed a simple case may be part of a darker, more dangerous plot, where science, money, and politics collide. A mysterious new technical innovation threatens to ignite a crisis throughout Europe, with frightening consequences for London’s financial world.

There is also personal upheaval for Wrexford and Charlotte, when a shocking secret from the past brings a profound change to their family, testing the bonds of loyalty and trust as never before . . ."

My Thoughts:

I love all the characters. Charlotte and Wrexford are cohesive, Raven and Hawk are blossoming and Peregrine has settled in well.  Great Aunt Alison is a delight.  Kit Sheffield is Wrex's best friend and newly married to Lady Cordelia. Both are practically family as well.  But this family unit will be shook by the events that will unfold. Von Munch, frenemy with questionable loyalties, plays a role in this outing, too.

As always Ms. Penrose is excellent at the sense of place and Regency era London jumps off the page with the glitz and the grime. The plot seems simple enough but gets some twists mixed with the complexities of the British stock market. Plus Napoleon's escape from his island prison to plot revenge against Britain make this interesting and intriguing.  The pace kept me interested throughout. The exciting killer confrontation takes place in fantastically atmospheric ruins of an abbey!

Overall another excellent entry in this series.

One thing I found irritating was how the writing would jump to a completely different scene without any indication or warning. Suddenly you are reading about different characters than the sentence before and it really throws the reader off track.  This happened throughout my ebook and would jar me out of the story.

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

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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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