Review: Elementary 2x2 'Solve for X'

Elementary
Season 2, Episode 2
Solve for X
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Brief Summery:  When a well-respected mathematician is found dead, Holmes and Watson set out to solve a murder and the purpose of the highly guarded equation he was trying to decipher. Meanwhile, Watson is conflicted when the son of a former patient approaches her for a loan.

Review: Okay with this episode, we have Joan visiting the grave of one of her patients who passed away on the surgery table and made have her so much guilt where she quit working in medical. The son of the patient 'coincidentally' being at the grave site at the same time as Joan, and then asking Joan for a loan for a bar.

It was quite funny how Sherlock rocks up and says that Detective Bell had texted him to come, but it was a old text from 2 years ago. I thought that the crime was quite interesting with the invisible ink hiding a room of maths equations.
I loved Joans face when she walked inside and there is this random guy topless doing/looking at maths.

I love how Holmes had a suspect all figured out then Detective Bell tells him that the guy was murdered, and he seemed a little baffled at that. I've seen it happen in quite a lot of crime shows and it wasn''t all that surprising but quite predictable.

How the hell did Sherlock figure out what kind of dog it was ?!?!

We hear and learn about Joans past and what happened to make her change professions. It seemed fitting as last episode we learn about Sherlock. It was quite sad to hear what had happened.

I loved the scene with Sherlock and the taxi. Also a Sherlock work out scene, why hasn't this been done more often. I though Sherlocks speech about poisons and how guilt is the strongest form of poison, was really good and also so very true.

Joan asked for an advance on her paycheck to give to this kid and Sherlock ends up giving her $20,000 to give her a way out of it (which I thought was sweet of him to do). Let me tell you, this kid annoys me way to much, I kind of want to hit him. Joan ends up telling him that she will only pay for his education and not give him money for a bar. I thought that was good of her.

The crime is a bit confusing. you know its the professor but with her changing the time stamp on the video, you get confused. At the start the crime seems really cool and interesting but by the end you only cared about the storyline with Joans past.

On an end note I really likes Sherlock at the end being all sweet and asking to go with Joan to visit the grave with her next time.

 

Review: Elementary 2x1 'Step Nine'

Elementary
Season 2, Episode 1
Step Nine
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Brief Summery: Holmes and Watson travel to London to find Holmes' former police partner, Lestrade (Sean Pertwee) who's gone into hiding after threatening a murder suspect with a grenade. While there, they discover that Mycroft (Rhys Ifans), Sherlock's brother, now lives at 221B, Holmes' former address. Holmes sets out to prove Lestrade's suspicions right while coming to an understanding with his estranged sibling.

Review: I have been waiting for this series to come back and I was not disappointed, and coming from someone who isn't really a Sherlock Holmes fan is saying something. Yes, the crime kind of sucked but I loved the fact we got to see some of Holmes life in London.

The episode starts off with them finishing off a case in New York, which I thought was pretty cool that it was solved because of carrier pigeons, and plus Watson with taking the culprit down.

Then they end up flying to London to help find Lestrade. I thought it was adorable and sweet that Holmes picked up Watsons bag without a word, it showed that he is a gentleman, and then Holmes explaining what she will see when she enters his apartment and then bam, it is totally different and he is all upset.

Then Mycroft comes in and Watson asking if he was 'Geezer Bob'. To Holmes seeing his brother again, I loved the 'oh my god' "my ...croft, it hasn't been that long". I must say that they had great chemistry playing sibling dynamic. We later see Watson telling Mycroft that Holmes actually has a friend and that she is it :).

Holmes has found his old 'partner' Lestrade  at a pub waiting to raid one of Holmes secret money stashes and still tries even though he is drunk and Holmes is with him. I'm unsure if he actually did do it or not though. Holmes introducing Watson to Lestrade and then going to the suspects home and Holmes telling the guy that she was 'Americas No.1 Expert on Home Security' I loved her face when he said that but just went with it.

This came to the realization that the suspect used a 'plastic gun' ..okay I don't know if this is even possible to make or not and in a way it sounds really cool but really ridiculous. I actually liked the whole message to the security camera.

We then get Holmes and Watson talking about how Mycroft wants to take Watson to dinner, but Holmes thinks he just wants to have sex with her to get back at him because he slept with Mycrofts fiance.
At the dinner we find out some more about Mycroft and what has happened to him and such, it kind of broke my heart when Mycroft asked 'How does one become Sherlocks friend?'  

Then we have Sherlock trying to apologise to Lestrade and then they come across a clue that leads them to a dead body, which sherlock solves with biting into a apple haha.

We end the episode with Sherlock and Mycroft talking and Mycroft blowing up all of Sherlocks things and saying that he forgives him. Then Holmes and Watson are heading back home.

So all in all, I really enjoyed the episode even though it didn't really have much crime or crime solving.

 

The Good Wife Season 5 Extended Promo

'The Good Wife' returns for its fifth season on September 29 on CBS. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing all my favorites return, the beginning of Florrick, Agos and Associates, and the fabulous Melissa George guest starring. 

Series Recommendations: In Death series by J.D. Robb

…In Death, a futuristic crime series set in mid-21st century New York City, is written by Nora Roberts under pseudonym, J. D. Robb. The series features NYPSD ("New York City Police and Security Department") Lieutenant Eve Dallas, a tough cop with a dark past, and her even more mysterious love interest, Roarke.

Visit the Official J.D. Robb website

Jess says: I could not recommend this series enough. You'll pick up one book and won't rest till you've read them all. Eve Dallas is a sassy hard ass you will ultimately love, and her dashing husband Roarke is the fictional male you'll all want to get into bed with. Although the series is filled with countless numbers of serial killers, each murder is refreshingly original. Roberts crosses the police procedural with science fiction, and let's face it, she did it justice. Each book will keep you on the edge and the endles psychological foreplay will keep you thinking until the killer's locked behind bars.

Fun fact: After the publication of Fantasy in Death (in February 2010) Nora Roberts will have published 190 full-length novels.

Series order

01. Naked in Death
02. Glory in Death
03. Immortal in Death
04. Rapture in Death
05. Ceremony in Death
06. Vengeance in Death
07. Holiday in Death
07.5. Midnight in Death (novella)
08. Conspiracy in Death
09. Loyalty in Death
10. Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5. Interlude In Death (novella)
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5. Big Jack (novella)
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
22. Memory in Death
22.5. Haunted in Death (3x short stories)
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5. Eternity in Death (novella)
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
27. Salvation in Death
27.5. Ritual in Death (novella)
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred In Death
29.5. Missing in Death (novella)
30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5. Possession in Death (novella)
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas (In Death)
33.5. Chaos in Death (novella)
34. Celebrity in Death
35. Delusion in Death
36. Calculated in Death
37. Thankless in Death
38. Concealed in Death
39. Festive in Death
40. Obsession in Death

Total Count
40 novels
9 Novellas

Book Review: Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb

Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others—especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed—and strangled—with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders's scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation to the public—and of humiliation to his family. But while people in the city are talking about it, those close to Anders aren't so anxious to do the same. With some help from her billionaire husband, Roarke, Eve's soon knocking on doors—or barging through them—to find answers.

But the facts don't add up. Physical evidence suggests that the victim didn't struggle. The security breach in the apartment indicates that the killer was someone known to the family, but everyone's alibi checks out. Was this a crime of passion in a kinky game gone wrong—or a meticulously planned execution? It's up to Dallas to solve a case in which strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways.

My review

I can't say this has been one of the best books in the series because it really hasn't. The spark you expect with an In Death book wasn't there. Looking at the title and summary alone you knew that Roberts was going down the 'Strangers on a Train' route. All of that psychological mind play and expertly placed twists Roberts is so good at were no longer an element of surprise in this novel.

As soon as Eve began her investigation into the death of Thomas Anders, a prominant businessman, found by his Housekeeper with his arms and legs tied to his bed and a cord around his neck - I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Where is the second murder? How do they connect? It doesn't take you long *spoiler* to realise that Baxter and Trueheart's cold case was in fact the second or let's say first murder in this 'Strangers on a Train' storyline. But let's just take a moment to talk about Trueheart. SUCH A CUTIE PIE. I just want to see more and more of him. I loved the little awkward, bumbling routine he had to play with *spoiler* Ava *spoiler*. Played to perfection.

I don't want to get too deep in case related detail in fear of spoiling the plot but it was to an extent disturbing to see a woman sift through potential candidates to find someone to murder her husband. And, Oh boy did she find the perfect person. By perfect, we mean worst. It's never the best idea to be hard-faced bitch and want your husband dead, let's face it.

Sub plot. Sub plot. Sub plot. I absolutely loved how the relationship development between Charles and Lousie arose in this novel. I could really see where Eve was coming from - with her issues of seeing Louise date a man who got paid to have sex with other people - so to see him take that huge leap and quit his job, buy a house and propose all for the sake of bettering himself was damn good to see.

The little argument between Roarke and Eve over money was something really interesting to see and I'm glad we did. What couple hasn't argued over this particular issue once, twice or a million times before. Realism. We like it.

Ultimately, it didn't feel like there was too much at stake emotionally for the main characters - it's generally those books where the emotional stakes are set high that come out as being memorable and un-puttdownable. Conflict (especially between Roarke and Dallas) can really drive these novels like no other.

The 30 or so pages, however, totally made up for the lack of spark from the rest of the book. This was when the ball really got rolling, Dallas already on her A game. The battle of brains between Eve and *spoiler* Ava *spoiler* was intense. Who's the top bitch? We all know the answer to that one and watching Eve prove it will never get old.

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge | Day 1

15 day Book Blogger Challenge is a meme hosted by Good Books and Good Wine, here.

15 book related confessions

1. Too much fluff and happiness makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a fork.
2. A large majority of YA books have gotten to the point where nothing is original anymore.
3. Love triangles? Yawn.
4. Can we lay the 'blah blah blah will be the next J.K. Rowling' to rest now? No author is completely alike. There will be authors both greater and worse than the mighty J.K. Rowling.
5. Speaking of Queen Jo, it makes me sad that it now takes me up to 6 months to finish the new books she's written. They're amazing (when I actually finish them) and yet there's nothing in them that grabs me and makes me want to finish them. The characters don't appeal to me.
6. Bless the existence of ebooks because now I can just accumulate lots and lots of books and still have room for my favourite books on my shelves.
7. Physical books > Ebooks. Always.
8. Will never buy a book by Cassandra Clare again.
9. Nothing I love more than a novel that effectively combines romance and crime.
10. I admit it, I may judge people by the contents of their bookshelves. I have a strong aversion to chick-lit. If that makes me anti-feminist or something... I'm sorry.
11. I have that problem where I'll buy more books despite the fact that I have loads of un-read stuff on my shelf. That's not really a confession. That is a universal problem.
12. Books sometimes aren't always better than films. (You know it could be like Twilight... both the films and the books are awful)
13. I am that person that has to carry a book around everywhere, even if I'm only going to the shop for some bread.
14. You caught me. I do judge books by their cover. (Cover art is supposed to be a marketing tool and if the cover doesn't even relate to the narrative in some - rational - shape or form THEN WHAT IS THE POINT? And redoing the covers of classical novels like Pride and Prejudice to join the Twilight trend? No. Get out.)
15. I really can't sit and read YA books about whiny little 15 years old anymore. It has become a form of torture for my brain.

What are your confessions?

Random Reads #1: September 2013

Random Reads is a monthly meme hosted by Sarah at I’m Loving Books. This feature is to get us reading a random book within the month that is in our TBR stack.

Want to join in on Random Reads? It’s easy…
1. If you’re on Goodreads enable sorting to your to-read shelf (you should see numbers next to each book now).
2. Go to Random.org and type in the Min as 1 and the Max as how many ever books are on your to-read shelf.
3. Scroll down to the book matching the number Random.org picks.
4. Link up to your Random Reads post (here). If you choose more than one book per month, be sure to put a number by your name in the list so it doesn't look like a duplicate.
5. Read and be merry!

This month, Random chose number 234 (out of 427) which is

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Goodreads Summary
Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 "Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it."

Summery:  In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all. One choice decides your friends, defines your beliefs and determines your loyalties ... forever.


I have just fallen in love with this series. It has taken me ages to actually read Divergent. I even suggested it to people saying it was a good book. I tried a couple of times but I just couldn't get into it, but with the movie being made I was determined to read it and have fell in love.

It was similar to 'The Hunger Games' or 'Uglies' with the factions/districts and such. But was very different as well, and you couldn't compare the two books.
I thought that the book was well written (so kudos to Veronica) and I enjoyed the plot as well :D.

I really liked Tris (Beatrice), she isn't like your typical damsel in distress like what you get in majority of books these days. I also loved Four, and I enjoyed finding out why he is called Four as well.

I would of liked to be able to have more of an explanation about the history and how the factions and things all started out.

I thought it was pretty cool that they had to do a test to see what faction they would best belong to, but they still got to choose which one they actually wanted to go to.

 Dauntless seems like it would be the hardest to get into, jumping out of trains, off of buildings. We only hear what you have to do to get into one or two of the other factions so unsure. 

I was shocked about the ending, i didn't realise it was actually finished at first. I am so glad I've read it with the second book being out already or I may of went crazy waiting for it.

Tris has this whole internal battle of what is wrong and what is the right thing to do, she stands up for her friends but she wont stand up for herself against them. She is a character that is easy to relate to.

I would recommend this book to everyone, who is into dystopian books. 

 
Also if you want to know which faction you belong to, try this Facebook app.

Video Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

I will doing some written reviews, but for now, here is my video review of Daphne Du Maurier's classic 'Rebecca'. It's one of my favourite novels of all time so I really recommend that you give it a whirl!

- Zoe -

Review: Rizzoli & Isles, 4x10, 'Built For Speed'

Rizzoli & Isles
Season 4, Episode 10
'Bulit For Speed'
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Quick Summary: When a late-night amateur drag race turns deadly, the squad works quickly to solve what turns out to be a particularly dangerous case. As evidence unfolds, Jane suspects that the motive for murder may have been an attempt to conceal drug trafficking. However, when she turns to Lt. Martinez for help he seems to be thwarting her investigation.

Review: Okay, at the beginning I need to say that I cannot, nor I will even try to be impartial when it comes to this particular show, but I swear I will try to do this review justice.

It's hard to say that this episode was disappointing although it was far from perfect.

From valid sources we know that the writers of the show are trying to create a relationship between Maura and Jane's younger brother – Frankie. We can see a first poor attempt at the beginning of the episode, when medical examiner makes a blunt comment about man's choice of clothing. Good one here, writers, I can give that to you. But seeing the dynamics – or rather the lack of it - between Maura and Frankie since the first season, everyone can just safely assume that this is not going to happen. And if it does, 8.5 million viewers will just shake their heads at the same time.

Crime scene involves a burned victim, Giovanni - who thankfully happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and also... another potential boyfriend for our lovely doctor.

BT is quite good looking man, I admit. And he's smart too, a fact that doesn't go unnoticed by Maura. Here we go again, Tamaro. Fool us once, shame on us, fool us twice? Seriously? And that poor choice of BT's words to show how amazed he is with blond pathologist. Didn't we hear the exact same words falling from Jane's mouth last season? Well, at least you try.

We also hear Jane mentioning Casey for about three seconds. Just enough to remind us how straight our girls are. Good job!

Although this episode was filled with few flaws here and there, I am never disappointed with humorous part of the show. There are a lot of scenes where you can laugh out loud or simply smile with endearment. All brought to you by extremely talented Harmon and Alexander.

Well, you can see this has clearly been a review of a sad Rizzles shipper, but putting my feelings aside for a second: few mistakes are for sure not enough to skip this episode (or any other for that matter). It is easy to watch and definitely leaves you waiting impenitently for another one. Handful of great actors and pinch of humor is everything you need on Tuesday evening.  

Review: Criminal Minds 8x23, 'Brothers Hotchner'.

Criminal Minds

Season 8, Episode 23

'Brothers Hotchner'

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Brief Summary: When a number of ecstasy overdoses in Manhattan show a pattern, the team travels to the city for the profile. Hotchner is surprised, however, when the investigation reveals his long estranged brother is somehow involved.

Review: I liked it but I didn't love it, who the unsub was kind of ruined it for me. I always enjoy finding out about the teams backgrounds and family as such. I had forgotten that Hotchner had a brother, the storyline for them was done well. I would of liked to have more brotherly scenes with them together but I understand why there were not as many (fingers crossed for it in a later season) I found the case quite an interesting and clever one.

So we have the episode starting off with Sean (Hotchners Brother) calling up his brother because he was in the room when a girl died of a 'seems to be' drug overdose, but she wasn't the first one and seems to be not the last one either. The unsub was using PMMA also known as 'Doctor Death' on the streets (sounds like such a nice drug doesn't it ..not) and it all kept leadin back to the bar where sean worked. It found out that his bosses (Jim and Thane) are involved, but of course nothing is ever that simple.

I was kind of disappointed that the unsub had been a father whose daughter had died from a suspected drug overdose at one of Jims's other clubs. I was hoping for something a tad more dramatic and not typical unsub. It was pretty awesome how Reid was the one to take him down by knocking him over using a bag haha (It was pretty badass for Reid).

The episode ended with a little tease for the finale, as Garcia was closing everything all her screens were taken over with photos of the team and te word 'ZUGZWANG' repeatedly, this happens just before the replicator made his move and entered Strauss' hotel room and stood over her while she slept (kinda creepy ig you ask me). I think they did a good job of setting up the finale with that scene.

Line of the episode would go to Garcia for her doctor who reference with "I found something stranger than a time-traveling police box."