Sunday, 10 November 2019

A Window Breaks - C M Ewan



They say that revenge is sweet, and that despair can tear a family apart. In this whirlwind psychological thriller, you are about to find out just how true this might be.


A seemingly tragic accident, a charity founded on revenge, the police hell bent on keeping the truth well and truly covered up.#


A family break to recoup, the lodgings a friend and employers. And, the a fore mentioned police.


A real page turner, I managed to finish the last 25% before my coffee went cold. Keeps you on you the seat of your pants, almost from the off.


I'll be giving this a good 4.7 / 5.0


Status: Completed

Monday, 4 November 2019

The God Game - Danny Tobey



Religion, a paradox; God a chat-bot.

A new take on what I have seen on page and tape several times before. 

Despite that, I found this rather enjoyable to read. It is aimed more at a YA audience than my older age.

Take one group of social outcasts, put them in situations that they would never normally find themselves in. Add an AI god that appears to have put even the worst megalomaniacs to shame.

Do, as the GOD sees fit, and be rewarded. Go against its wishes, and be  prepared for the consequences.

Fairly well paced, with a few unexpected bits thrown in to boot.

Well worth a read if your 15 - 20ish

Rated: 4.2 / 5.0

Status: Completed

Sunday, 27 October 2019

Mindf*ck - Christoper Wylie








IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE THIS YEAR, YOU NEED TO READ THIS.

It throws light over Cambridge Analytica, and the lengths that it would go to one to show just what they could do, and what they were prepared to do for their clients.

The shape of things to come, were shown with data provided by small Caribbean Islands and smaller African Nations. This data, was twisted and manipulated, to coerce people into doing things that they wouldn't normally do. Whether, this be in-sighting violence or manipulating the way in which they voted.

Understandably, this was very attractive, to people and organisations with a certain leaning. The upper echelons of politics were drawn in with implications for the vote leave Brexit campaign, and the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign using Cambridge Analytica at various points.

It is written and whistle blown by the former director of research for Cambridge Analytica, Christopher Wylie. Just for the sheer insight, this book really is a must read.

Rated: 5/5

Status: Completed

Sunday, 13 October 2019

The Cult of Eden - Bill Halpin






OK, where to start, for those who said the beginning, congrats you've won nothing.

This is a tale of two halves. New York and the Amazon rain forest. Not exactly two places that you would put together I know. But, please bear with me.

There is a certain fixation with what could be represented from A. Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. This truly does give definition as to what 'Ultraviolence' could be.

Is it required: No
Is it graphic: Exceedingly
Mindless: Yes
Does it over step the mark: Probably, on more than a few occasions.
Should it be in print: Hell Yes

A families struggle for survival, in New York city. They have been taken to task by a (oc)cult, for want of a ritual. What follows is a blur of silenced weapons, hammers, fires and a rather handy extending double ended spear. 

In essence it is a fight between good verses evil, with a big twist of Catholicism verses the Satanic.

What about the Amazon?

Well it pops up in several sections. The catholic church on a "mission" to convert the beliefs of an  Amazonian tribe, to that of The Almighty, and his son Jesus Christ. And enter the.......

What next? 

Personally I am sat on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next installment. Hopefully, it won't be to long on the old word processor.

Rating: 4.7/5

Status: Completed

#NetGalley #TheCultofEden

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

The Institute - Stephen King






What if. Just what if?

Telepathy, Telekinesis. Mere parlor games for most. Moving objects with nothing more than the power of your mind. Knowing what others are thinking. Advantageous?

This is a real roller coaster of a ride, from start to finish. Not, one of your nice new smooth ones. But one of those old rickety ones, that jars your spine for its entirety.

Mr King seems to have found a softer side, no more out and out horror. Does it remove the quality, no. Not at all. It seems that whatever he turns his magic pen to, is going to be a massive success.

Rating: 5/5

Status: Completed.