Posts Tagged 'reality tv'

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

Published November 19, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Lyla has been with her boyfriend, Nico, for a few years and although they are happy she isn’t sure where it is really going. Plus, her post doctoral research has hit an unfortunate snag and she isn’t sure what that means for her career. Therefore, when Nico comes to her with an opportunity to be in a reality show for couples on a deserted island she isn’t sure it is a good idea. As an aspiring actor, Nico very much wants the chance to be on a tv show. He even suggests that Lyla purposefully get voted off early so she can return to work and he can stay on the show. Reluctantly, Lyla agrees even though something feels off to her about this show. When they arrive and meet the other couples she notices that a few of them seem to know each other, though they are pretending not to. Once the show actually begins it is not at all what Lyla expected and is stunned when she is not the first person to go home. After the first elimination, a terrible storm hits the island that knocks out all communication and connection to the outside world. The film crew had left for the night and does not return by morning. Are they on their own now? What will they do if no one comes looking for them? Will they work together to survive or will some contestants rise up and try to take control of the others?

Fans of And Then There Were None would enjoy this fast paced thrilling mystery. Lyla does not want to be on a reality show and yet has found herself in the middle of a real mess. Once the storm hits and it is uncertain who even knows their whereabouts it becomes clear that they are on their own. The other contestants start to stand out as they all find their place within the group. It’s written in a way that the reader really feels what it would be like to be on this island with these poor people. Recommended for readers who like suspenseful mysteries and survival stories.

Tag, You’re Dead by Kathryn Foxfield

Published October 15, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Anton Fraser, a teen reality star known for crazy antics, announces he will be running a giant live-streamed game of tag. Each contestant (100 in total) will have the latest tech to help them on the game, including body cams that will be watching their every move. The game cannot distract from the fact that Anton disappeared from public life after one of his employees died suspiciously at his sprawling mansion. It was ruled a suicide, but there were always questions and the answers are now threatening to come out. After the game starts it becomes clear that some people are in it for different reasons than just the cash prize. Grayson, for example, wants to avenge the love of his life who died in Anton’s employ, but first he must do well enough to get close to him. Erin needs to win for her mother, who has placed a lot of pressure on Erin to win at all costs. Charlotte really does believe she is Anton’s biggest fan and believes they could form a relationship if only they got to know one another. As the game gets started and they are assigned to be Chasers and Runners it becomes clear that not everything is at seems and when a dead body is discovered it changes everything. Is it all part of the game? Has someone taken control of the game? Is there anyone they can trust?

This fun, fast paced mystery is great for reluctant readers because there is a lot of action but it’s also written in a way that readers who maybe favor YouTube or videogames can really get interested in. The characters are all easy to distinguish and all have their own motivations for wanting to participate in this crazy game. The ending will surprise many, but in a good way for mystery fans who like to be caught off guard. Recommended for mystery fans and those looking for something exciting with a modern twist.

Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Published December 18, 2020 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance

Number of Pages: 307

Dylan is a typical high school student in Alabama, except for the fact that her sister, Dusty, is a former Miss Alabama and recently found love with a Scottish Laird on a reality tv show called Prince in Disguise. Now, she has to give up her Christmas vacation to go to Scotland for her sister’s wedding, which will be filmed for an upcoming television event as a follow-up to the original show. Dylan feels like the reality film crew is setting her up to look bad as the comic relief in their show when no one comes to get her from the train station, she never receives an itinerary but it still chastized for being late to events, and even when they force her to attend a formal dinner in muddy running clothes. What she does not count on, however, is that there will be a funny, sweet young man there to make her feel visible at all times in a world where she thought everyone only saw her sister. As soon as she meets Jamie, she is instantly intrigued by him as he seems to truly like her just the way she is. As they spend more time together she thinks she could actually find her first boyfriend in a Scottish castle. Can she find a way to spend more time with Jamie without the cameras following her every move? Can she handle all the planned twists and turns the reality show producers throw at her? Could she find her first love in the last place she would have looked for it?

This delightful Christmas romance is fun for anyone looking to escape for a bit or for fans of Holiday TV movies. Dylan’s initial awkwardness fits with the build up of a southern girl in Scotland for the first time and readers will want to see what happens as she becomes more confident with Jamie. Many readers will pick up on some of the big reveals long before Dylan does, but that doesn’t take away from the charming nature of the story at all. Even Dylan’s relationship with her sister, Dusty, feels developed and real instead of the generic backdrop to Dylan and Jamie’s story. Recommended for romance fans looking for a Christmas story.

The Murderers’ Club by P.D. Martin

Published January 4, 2008 Mystery , RAC Leave a Comment
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Genre:  Mystery

Age Level:  14 and up

# of Pages:  376

RAC Book:  Yes

In this chilling tale a group of four murderers get together and form a club.  In this club each killer bids for who he or she wants to kill and then the others watch tapes and listen to stories about the torture the others inflict on their victims.  Sophie Anderson of the FBI happens to be vacationing with a friend when the murders start.  Her friend, who is a cop, learns of the first one and it intrigues both of them.  Some details match a known killer and others are different.  As each murder occurs some details are the same, while others vary. 

The murderers in this book are very clever, which makes for an interesting story.  The president of the club especially has thought of everything to prevent them from getting caught.  The details the police use to piece together the murders are believable, but they also get some interesting twists to help them along.  The ending is a bit predictable, though, and avid mystery readers will see it coming quite awhile before it is revealed.

If the story were not intriguing it would be difficult to finish this book due to the writing style.  The author chooses to talk down to the reader by explaining every term, thought, and intended meaning of everything.  The author obviously holds no faith in her readers that they will be able to understand sarcasm or innuendo or even that they know anything about this genre.  By explaining terms and processes in the criminal field in such a way makes the reader feel bored and unappreciated.  The story is interesting and unique, but it would’ve been better if the writer would just trust her readers to know what she is talking about.

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