#detective k: secret of the living dead

[kdrama-movies-more]

Behind Your Touch (2023)

Detective K 3: Secret of the Living Dead (2018)

[babylon-crashing]

Originally I thought it would be fun coming up with a story using Parliafunkadelicment (that is, the 1970s American music collective known as P-Funk) mythology, "funkology," as George Clinton called it. But the more I worked on it, the more it headed in different directions. Let's just say, I had fun along the way ...

TEXT:

PAGE

Blast Hardcheese: Space Detective Welcome to the distant future of 1983. The Man has taken to the stars to make the Galaxy safe for Disco by destroying the Mothership Connection (Though you'd think that the Grand Ole Opry and Hillbilly Country and Western music would be a much better antithesis to urban city Funk than, say, Disco, but no matter). Led by our glorious leader, Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk … THE FUTURE IS SAFE: For J. Edgar Hoover and law-abiding citizens such as ourselves. Obey puny humans! Welcome, Blast, to our groovy swinging party! In the future it's always Bedtime for Bonzo! I didn't know you could make pancakes! Yum yum! At last the last of those evil Parliafunkadelicment beats have almost been wiped from the Universe. Only small pockets of resistance remain … to get up by getting down.

PAGE

Our Rebel Hero: Bootsy Collins Glorious Leader: All hail Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk Lady Bunny: Smash the Sucka MCs! Old school forever! Meanwhile, somewhere else that fits within our limited filming budget, Lady Bunny was fighting the good fight. Really? “Lady Bunny” was all you could come up with? Not even Funky Fresh or Soulful Swag? Anahit Broccolian? Wait!--

PAGE

Yes, it's what our boffins at the H.O.N.K.E.Y. Institute feared … the Funk is back and far freakier than before! It's tub-thumping from here, the Electronica Zone. That's impossible! Electronica has been dead for ages! Are you sure? I thought the last Rumpasaurus had been hunted to extinction. All we know is that the Jive-Flux-Matrix is powerless against this new dope blood developed by the Phunklords. Our secret weapon: Tanner Tannington III, bio-engineered as the most unhip human in history ... ...volunteered as our guinea pig. Great Scott! It was cranked up to 11! Egads! The cads! Another one bites the dust. Hush your foul mouth. His dying request was to hear Achy Breaky Heart one last time. He died as he lived: unable to keep a beat. These old models only play German opera, we thought that was enough. Have you tried Oko Ono? Or maybe Yma Sumac?

PAGE

That's all we know so far, Fanny. But I thought we dropped da bomb on Bootsy Collins. Literally! So, how did the Funk survive? What did we miss? Word on the street is that there was enough of it in J-Pop to turn the beat around, I love to hear percuss-- No! Do not start quoting 'Nam movies and Disco lyrics … as tempting as that might be. I love the smell of napalm in the morn—ack! J-Pop? Are you sure? J-Pop or K-Pop, I can't really tell the difference. Plus it's only 1983, we haven't even gotten to Hammer Time! yet. Indeed. The power of the Funk is most insidious. I miss the police state. USA! USA! Remember when being sterile, one-dimensional, monochromatic and against freedom of expression was thought of as a bad thing? Tell that to the average American male voter. Someone put Trump in the White House … twice.

PAGE

Meanwhile, back on “The Planet.” And I'll go this way and look for some kind of audio-vibratory-physio-molecular transport device. You mean...! Yes, Brad, it's something we ourselves have been working on for quite some time. A vibrator! But it seems our friend here has found a means of perfecting it. A perfect vibrator! A device which is capable of breaking down solid matter and projecting it through space … and who knows, perhaps even time … Itself? Itself! Wow! Sex toys sure have gotten crazy in the future. This has a pump-action grip! Now all I need to find is a … Butt plug? Calling Pebbles and Bam-Bam Calling Pebbles and Bam-Bam … Not only did I find our audio-vibratory-device but wait until you see the size of “Operation: Neurological Enema”!

PAGE

Meanwhile, back with Lady Bunny … Wait! Is this my cue? Meanwhile, back on “The Planet.” [Anything to advance the plot!] Ignore her. She's just embarrassing herself. Get down! She won't be able to see us this way! What page of the script are we on? This is a very bad segue and you should feel ashamed! Hey, cool, retro robots! Finally! Something to do with fighting The Funk! Er... what is it doing? Warming up with calisthenics. Funk fighting is a strenuous activity. Bend with the knees!

PAGE

You know what this story needs? A training montage sequence! Cue: Styx! Beep bop boop! We are the Majority for Musical Morality! Kilroy was here. Dōmo Arigatō Misutā Robotto. Secret, secret I've got a secret! With parts made in Japan! O funk me! No! No funk! We put our faith in Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk!

PAGE

I'm sorry, M.E.C.H.A.F.L.O.P.S.Y., I thought you were going to have some speaking lines or at least do something. “Perhaps in the sequel.” I told my agent, “No nude scenes.” The American public is not ready for it. It's sum sawt ov Unident'ah'fied a-Flyin' Objec'! Why are you talking like that? Well, we haven't made a Hillbilly joke since page 2. I mean, wasn't this whole story about how terrible Country and Western music is? The plot seems to have drifted. Of course it has! Those robots were suppose to be break dancing! Originally we were the heroes, using Old School Hip Hop to defeat the Kosmic Sucka' MCs. We had our own theme song! There was going to be a cameo with Cameo and Salt n Pepa … but we ran over budget. As the Armenians would say, “Vo'chinch”!

PAGE

Ideas I couldn't work into the story … Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force, art by Ed Piskor “Take M.E.C.H.A.F.L.O.P.S.Y. down to the planet with you.” “It looks too cute to be evil.” “Have you seen it try to dance?” In the words of our glorious leader, “We must maintain mental constipation and prevent Funkadelica from deprogramming the population” … again. The death of a disco dancer Well, it happens a lot 'round here I feel faint, someone hum Toby Keith. Help!

[watchinghallmark]

Summer Nights 2024 Lineup

The movies seem... interesting.

JUNEBUG

Saturday, August 3 (8 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Autumn Reeser (The Wedding Veil), Aaron O’Connell (The Haves and the Have Nots)

When an eight-year-old version of herself starts appearing to her, Juniper (Reeser) begins to realize that her life is not what she had hoped it would be as a child. Young Junebug pushes Juniper to achieve her dreams, to start writing again, and to collaborate with the cute artist Alex (O’Connell) that she recently met to get her life back on track. 

🐞 I feel like this could be really cute. Autumn seems very excited about the project so hopefully that's a good sign.

MY DREAMS OF YOU

Saturday, August 10 (8 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Skyler Samuels (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries), Kapil Talwalkar (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

Grace (Samuels) has recurring dreams about a handsome stranger named Michael (Talwalkar) due to a mix-up in Dream Central.  When they finally meet in person, Grace is shocked to learn he has no idea who she is.

😴 I'm really excited about this casting! Kapil was great in ZEP and it's great to finally see some diversity (Hallmark you're sucking so bad lately with that).It sounds like it could be fun and also a little nutty which I like.

A COSTA RICAN WEDDING

Saturday, August 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Rhiannon Fish (My Norwegian Holiday), Christopher Russell (Operation Nutcracker)

A clumsy maid of honor (Fish) gets help from her handsome nemesis (Russell) when things go awry at her best friend’s Costa Rican wedding.

🤵👰 The fact that they even describe her as clumsy... oof. Rhiannon can be hit or miss, especially when they have her play an idiot so often. Her paired with Chris is certainly not helping matters either.

THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROPS

Saturday, August 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Lyndsy Fonseca (Nikita), Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars)

When Lolly’s (Fonseca) Aunt gives her three magical lemon drops, she gets to experience what her life would have been like if she had made different choices and lived those unfulfilled dreams.

🍋... what? I feel like this is code for some hallucinogenic drugs but ok. Love both actors though so I'm interested.

HEAD OVER HEELS

Saturday, August 31 (8 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Rebecca Dalton (Good Witch), Olivier Renaud (Romance with a Twist)

A suburban girl at heart, Addison (Dalton), is off to prove herself in the world of high-end fashion footwear when she lands a life-changing internship at an Upper East Side studio leading up to the star-studded New York Fashion Week.  Addison is determined to hold onto her integrity and her family values while struggling to balance it all and forge a path to success and romance, although she may fall head over heels while trying to make her dreams come true.

👠Yawn.

JAZZ RAMSEY: A K-9 MYSTERY

Friday, August 2 (9 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Rachel Skarsten (The Royal Nanny), Corey Sevier (Take Me Back for Christmas)

When Jazz Ramsey (Skarsten) and her crime detection dog Zeus stumble upon an old crime scene, the K-9 trainer, her star pup, and ex-boyfriend and lead detective Nick (Sevier) are thrown into the investigation.

🐶 Excited about this!

NELLY KNOWS MYSTERIES (wt)

Friday, August 23 (9 p.m. ET/PT) 

Starring: Pascale Hutton (When Calls the Heart), Kavan Smith (When Calls the Heart)

When an unusual handwritten letter arrives at Nelly’s (Hutton) office, she identifies the handwriting as belonging to her childhood friend Dahlia (Sarah Grey, The Secret Lives of College Freshman), claiming her boyfriend Blake (Julian Haig, Dial S for Santa) is being unfaithful.  Determined to help, Nelly wants some answers and rushes to Blake’s home only to find his dead body.  When Dahlia becomes the prime suspect, the new, handsome Detective in town, Michael Hogan (Smith) must work with Nelly to prove that her childhood friend is not the killer everyone believes her to be.

📫A Pascale and Kavan mystery??? It's all I've ever wanted!

What do you think about these movies? What are you most excited for?

[agentcable]

February Special Prompt: K-Drama #002

New prompts released every Sunday during February.

"Time's Heir" A woman discovers she is the reincarnation of a princess from a thousand years ago, and a man she's never met is her destined soulmate. As their love rekindles, they must prevent a curse from repeating itself, threatening both their worlds.

"The Unseen Path" A blind detective with heightened senses solves cold cases, but when investigating the disappearance of her twin brother, she begins hearing strange whispers leading her down a dangerous path, challenging everthing she believes.

"The Stolen Star" A struggling actress is granted a magical ability to steal one person's talent for a day. When she takes the talent of a rising star, she unexpectedly falls in love with him - and discovers dark secrets behind his success.

"Secret Melody" A talented but introverted composer and a former pop star, now working as a music teacher, collaborate to create a song that will change their lives. As they work together, old wounds surface, and a deep bond forms through their shared passion for music.

"Vows of the Past" In a historical Korean setting, a young noblewoman's arranged marriage to a powerful official is threatened when she discovers the man she's supposed to marry was once her childhood friend, whom she thought dead. Their reunion sparks a forbidden romance.

"The Lying Game" A woman gets caught in a web of lies when she falls for a man whose life story seems perfect - until she uncovers that everything about him is fabricated. Torn between trust and suspicion, she must decide whether to help him or expose him.

"Love in the Time Loop" After a car accident, a woman finds herself reliving the same day over and over, each time meeting a man who helps her uncover a larger conspiracy behind the accident. But each reset brings them closer to falling in love.

"Unmasking the Heart" A famous actor with a mysterious past decides to live anonymously for a while. Posing as an ordinary person, he becomes involved with a quirky woman who’s determined to uncover his secret. As they get closer, sparks fly.

"The Ghost Writer" A ghost writer falls for the charming author she works for, but she begins to suspect that her employer knows more about the tragic death of her sister than he lets on. Unraveling the mystery leads to a dangerous attraction.

"Fate’s Awakening" A man who can see how people will die tries to save them from their fates. When he meets a woman whose death he can't predict, he’s drawn to her and realizes she might be the key to changing his own tragic future.

"The Heart of the Storm" A weather forecaster begins receiving cryptic messages that hint at an impending disaster—and a romance with a mysterious stranger who seems to know everything about her. As a storm brews, so does their unpredictable love.

"Chasing Shadows" A former detective with a tragic past returns to the force to solve a string of disappearances that seem connected to her family. As she delves deeper into the case, she’s forced to confront her own secrets and a long-lost love.

"The King’s Protector" A royal guard discovers a hidden power within herself that can control time. As she struggles to master this ability, she must protect the young king from a looming conspiracy, all while dealing with her growing feelings for him.

"The Broken Hourglass" A young woman inherits an hourglass that lets her travel through time. When she falls in love with a man from the past, she faces a heart-wrenching choice: live in the past and change history or return to her own time and lose him forever.

"Twilight Promise" A man with a terminal illness makes a pact with a woman he meets at a hospice: they will fulfill each other's unspoken dreams before his time runs out. Along the way, they discover unexpected love, forcing them to confront what it means to truly live.

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

Hallmark Announces Its 2024 Summer Nights Lineup – All New Premieres in August

Premiering on Hallmark Channel:

JUNEBUG Saturday, August 3 (8 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Autumn Reeser (The Wedding Veil), Aaron O’Connell (The Haves and the Have Nots)

When an eight-year-old version of herself starts appearing to her, Juniper (Reeser) begins to realize that her life is not what she had hoped it would be as a child. Young Junebug pushes Juniper to achieve her dreams, to start writing again, and to collaborate with the cute artist Alex (O’Connell) that she recently met to get her life back on track. 

MY DREAMS OF YOU Saturday, August 10 (8 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Skyler Samuels (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries), Kapil Talwalkar (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

Grace (Samuels) has recurring dreams about a handsome stranger named Michael (Talwalkar) due to a mix-up in Dream Central.  When they finally meet in person, Grace is shocked to learn he has no idea who she is.

A COSTA RICAN WEDDING Saturday, August 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Rhiannon Fish (My Norwegian Holiday), Christopher Russell (Operation Nutcracker)

A clumsy maid of honor (Fish) gets help from her handsome nemesis (Russell) when things go awry at her best friend’s Costa Rican wedding.

THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROPS Saturday, August 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Lyndsy Fonseca (Nikita), Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars)

When Lolly’s (Fonseca) Aunt gives her three magical lemon drops, she gets to experience what her life would have been like if she had made different choices and lived those unfulfilled dreams.

HEAD OVER HEELS Saturday, August 31 (8 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Rebecca Dalton (Good Witch), Olivier Renaud (Romance with a Twist)

A suburban girl at heart, Addison (Dalton), is off to prove herself in the world of high-end fashion footwear when she lands a life-changing internship at an Upper East Side studio leading up to the star-studded New York Fashion Week.  Addison is determined to hold onto her integrity and her family values while struggling to balance it all and forge a path to success and romance, although she may fall head over heels while trying to make her dreams come true.

Premiering on Hallmark Mystery:

JAZZ RAMSEY: A K-9 MYSTERY Friday, August 2 (9 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Rachel Skarsten (The Royal Nanny), Corey Sevier (Take Me Back for Christmas)

When Jazz Ramsey (Skarsten) and her crime detection dog Zeus stumble upon an old crime scene, the K-9 trainer, her star pup, and ex-boyfriend and lead detective Nick (Sevier) are thrown into the investigation.

NELLY KNOWS MYSTERIES (wt) Friday, August 23 (9 p.m. ET/PT)  Starring: Pascale Hutton (When Calls the Heart), Kavan Smith (When Calls the Heart)

When an unusual handwritten letter arrives at Nelly’s (Hutton) office, she identifies the handwriting as belonging to her childhood friend Dahlia (Sarah Grey, The Secret Lives of College Freshman), claiming her boyfriend Blake (Julian Haig, Dial S for Santa) is being unfaithful.  Determined to help, Nelly wants some answers and rushes to Blake’s home only to find his dead body.  When Dahlia becomes the prime suspect, the new, handsome Detective in town, Michael Hogan (Smith) must work with Nelly to prove that her childhood friend is not the killer everyone believes her to be.

To read the entire article over at Soap Opera News click this LINK. And there's an article at TV Insider as well, click this LINK for more on that.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Detective Masterlist

Back on Fourth Street - placingglaciers

Summary: In which Phil is a detective and Dan, a guy off the streets, is a witness to a recent crime. He is quite the story teller and surprises Phil with what he has to say, whether if it is the truth or not.

Blood on Your Hands, Cream in My Coffee - littlephanwriters

Summary: police officer/criminal AU where Dan and Phil are partners assigned to go undercover as a couple to catch a serial killer, and Dan starts to fall in love with Phil while working on the case (alternatively: the crime AU/coffeeshop AU crossover that no one asked for)

Detectives (ao3) - Dorky_hufflepuff

Summary: When Detective Dan Howell caught his murderer he thought nothing could go wrong. After meeting fellow detective Phil Lester, Dan's world is flipped upside down.

If you think you know me - ineverhadmyinternetphase

Summary: Phil’s a police Sergeant. He’s been itching to get promoted to Inspector for ages, but to do so, he needs to crack his biggest case - famed internet hacker the Howler. Phil’s been after him for years, but he’d never managed to get even a hint towards his identity. When he meets a hot stranger in a bar one night, Phil thinks his luck might just be turning up. But maybe getting close to this particular stranger isn’t the best idea.

Lester's Mystery Journey (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: When a hand is missing from Big Ben and a woman is found dead, Detective Phil Lester is called onto the case. Joined by his assistant, Dan Howell, Phil goes through many twists and turns and tumbles as he attempts to find the culprit.

Make A Wish When Your Childhood Dies (ao3) - tinydragon (tiny_dragon)

Summary: Things could be going better for librarian Phil Lester. He’s discontent with his life and his job when an episode of accidental magic lands him in a seemingly different world, which nobody else seems aware of other than the neighbour he never knew he had, Dan Howell. Together, they must find a way to return home to their ordinary cities and lives, but there’s something about Dan that’s strange, in that he seems eerily similar to Phil’s favourite childhood storybook character.

Murder at Amazing Phil's (ao3) - mania_jests

Summary: A missing Duke, big corporations, hard drugs and a cute barista named Phil. None of those things should intersect and yet Detective Daniel Howell was finding that this case is full of surprises.

No Angels - ahsuga, mandyjpg

Summary: Dan and Phil are detectives investigating the ongoing murders of citizens throughout London.

our town (ao3) -  wildchildrun

Summary: detective phil lester is known for his eccentricity and excellent track record. detective dan howell is known for being the first responder in the most notorious case of the year.when paired together to solve a strange case in the middle of nowhere, USA, they realize more about each other and the secrets old towns can keep than either of them expected. ft: a ghost town, urban legends, and a radio station of rebellious teenagers with nowhere to go.

RAINBOW GRAFFITI (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Detective Phil Lester's first case as lead detective is nothing like he had imagined. This criminal's targets are all rich and powerful and the thief always only takes one possession from their homes and leaves behind messages to them in bright and expressive rainbow-coloured graffiti. Phil quickly discovers that while this person might be a criminal, every crime is done with good intentions. It'll take him some time to wrap his head around that one.

the professors apprentice (ao3) - watergator (orphan_account)

Summary: dan is one of londons best crime solving, puzzle cracking professors. one morning he becomes lumbered with taking a bumbling, aspiring wannabe detective under his wing as his apprentice. however, dan discovers that things may not always be as bad as they seem.

The X-Philes (ao3) - UnorthodoxSavvy

Summary: Phil is a psychic. Dan is a detective. When Phil is visited by the ghost of his brother, he knows something isn't right. Can he and Dan solve the case, or will they become the next victims?

When Skies Are Grey - mairieuxes

Summary: (Eighteenth Century AU) Okay so, Phil’s a detective who needs a cook, for he can’t be bothered to do it himself. And Dan’s new in town and needing money. So he thought of applying to Phil. The good things? He’s got money and shelter. The bad things, now, is that Phil’s an ex-arsonist and Dan doesn’t know why he’s so obsessed over tulips.

[popculturealchemy]

black hole prism feeling too batman too something creature in the night dead parents . feeling like we are all parents to each other and nature . observing and helping . parents being a flexible word... people........... taking money transferring it.. elsewhere. storing. value... gamestop. physical value. protecting myself somehow bullet proof jacket to help sheild other people besides just me. just norms. norm. a goofy uncle of my uncle. uncle norm, card player goofy mean. don't like that I shared that don't want to see myself as goofy mean cinderella shoe fitting every time maybe everytime can't commit charlie brown missing the football . on my back again falling off the bike feelings come on kid you got this . . I feel like people should feel like how I feel sometimes spead the weight things feel really scary but i'm kind of okay not sure how to unsee . remembering the point. lucas explains it all I have an explanation. just wait. an explanation for an explanation. this was all planned. I just don't feel anything maybe or maybe I do but I don't know how to explain it. I might need a lot of help. or just. help.exe learning to program recognize my body needing crying out in some sad way looking for.. validation attention. dark prism neil gaimen worlds on paper virgin energy secret club of writer's pretending to rape in order to gain attention as a rapist to get more attention from the women he's looking for to escalate the hyperbole even further. . weird family acts not raising family mexico family values working here and doing it well working around heavy obstacle your lives matter you're also making dinero and sending it across the border vacuum south america hording tech something.. hapenning. reliant on people I don't want to be reliant on reliant k memecoin the point. . a blog that is positive even though, I consider, negative to not necesarrilasl;fdas;ldkf lucas explains it all stuff how do you talk and not explain over explainer underfeeling cockroach needing warm in the ice somewhere making myself a thing worth defrosting caveperson. leave that one alone maybe Idk. caveperson. feeling like. alternative to man. healthier I'm not playing fred born again fred flint stone slightly amish values feeling like a stern in search of a ship worth sailing. . long journey. . perhaps just one . for sailing . . honeymoon in my head honey pot poohbear hands in his pants too long feeling just slow and hating myself basically. . notes to my porcelain head, glass heart, throwing glass prism . shooting the moon looking up the phrase collecting all the hearts difficult, trick the game of hearts obscure majong strategy chinese algebra, next level game. . throwing darts at people catching them with their teeth while dancing in your shadow. . knowing the ground on you stand on forgot how much I was relying on people they we're actually making it worse like ankle weights sad memories gaslit monster from the deep sea . perfect specimin for space travel my friend not scary but feeling scared of it oregon beach 2024 they didn't blow it up I don't think 1970s or something whale story on the coast oregon. need to look that up again, detective, interesting maybe. marrion berry, twin peaks thoughts tart solitary glass peaks uphill waterslide never going back events

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Count their Graves by Jennifer Chase

Detective Katie Scott #12

Dark gritty crime scenes and a serial killer on the loose have Katie and team searching for Emily and the murderer that needs to be stopped ~ Couldn’t put this book down!

What I liked:

* Katie: ex-military K-9 trainer & handler, cold case police detective, good friend, leader, puzzle solver, works for her uncle the sheriff, loves her K-9 partner, suffers from PTSD, has many who admire and support her, has relationship status change, eager to find out what happens next * Cisco: Katie’s black German Shepherd K-9 partner who has been with her to war and was discharged into her arms. He’s there for her no matter what, companion to Katie, skilled at his job, loving and protective, helps ground Katie – loved by all, worthy of awards

* Gaven: Katie’s work partner, supportive, good sense of humor, able to read Katie, in a committed relationship, loves Cisco, dedicated, protective, a good man * John: forensic supervisor, ex-SEAL, intelligent, strong, protective, and…mentioned before that he was a potential love interest for Katie… * The plot, pacing, setting, and writing * The police procedural aspects and how the twists & turns were dealt with * That the case was wrapped up without loose ends with the killer and helpers all dealt with

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* The killer and those that assisted in the kidnapping and murders

* The emotional upheaval that Katie experienced in her private and professional life

* The ease with which one character manipulated and maneuvered and the disbelief I had that wise detectives could so easily be taken in

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

A wind chime sways a sweet melody above several pairs of shoes neatly laid out on the welcome mat: two large pairs, and three small. On the door frame, a perfect crimson handprint, the color of blood… Out on her morning run, Detective Katie Scott is stopped in her tracks when her service dog, Cisco, alerts her to something. Weaving through the towering pine trees, Katie is horrified to find a little girl alone in the woods, dressed in a white nightgown. The child sobs into Katie’s arms. She’s unharmed, but clearly traumatized. Scooping her up, Katie follows the trail to a large farmhouse. But what she finds there rips the air from her lungs: one, two, three, four bodies laid out side by side, all in matching pajamas. The Banks family were attacked in their sleep, but how had the little girl trembling in Katie’s arms escape with her life? What twisted monster would do such a thing, and why leave no trace but a single bloody handprint on the doorframe? Katie vows to find answers for this sweet child who has lost everything and everyone. Working night and day to piece together why this innocent family were targeted, Katie thinks she has her first lead when she discovers the family were under witness protection. Had they seen something they shouldn’t? Was the aim to silence them forever? Questions are still spinning in Katie’s mind when another family is discovered dead in their beds on the other side of Pine Valley. With the entire department stretched to breaking point with an unprecedented body count and trace evidence stacking up, it’s going to take everything Katie has to track this twisted killer down. But as she closes in on her target, it’s clear someone close to Katie is keeping a deadly secret. How many more innocent lives will be lost before she can bring them to justice? A completely pulse-pounding crime thriller for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh that will have you racing through pages all night long. Prepare to start sleeping with the lights on after tearing through this gripping thriller from USA Today and Amazon bestseller Jennifer Chase!

AUTHOR BIO

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

https://www.instagram.com/jenchaseauthor/ https://twitter.com/JChaseNovelist Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Jennifer Chase here: http://www.bookouture.com/jennifer-chase

Buy Link:

Amazon:  https://geni.us/B0D327YFP8social

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

[feuqueerfire]

Bad and Crazy Live Blogging

Needed something to watch from iQiyi for my commute now that I have a 7-day VIP pass but I've watched all the kBLs on there that I'd like to and I don't want to watch the raunchy Thai BLs I haven't yet watched (Love Sea, Deep Night) on the train. Thus, this Wi Hajoon and Lee Dongwook duo kdrama.

I had this on my watchlist before it was even released actually because I was on a Wi Hajoon binge in fall 2021. Ended up removing it sometime first half of 2022 it seems like because I got spoiled about the characters being [redacted] and wasn’t sure if that’s a trope I liked. But have watched some more Wi Hajoon and Lee Dongwook shows since then, so honestly, I think I’ll probably like it

Ep 1 (Aug 18)

I wonder if him getting drunk and kicking his car and stuff

oh this cop who they're questioning's background kinda reminds me of Beyond Evil Dongshik's dead partner

ohhhh Senior Inspector Ryu Su Yeol, you are working for corrupt bosses and doing their bidding.

I wonder who this side character and what this missing woman side story is

oh, this woman got disappeared

damn, Detective Do is scary as fuck

oh Su Yoel. i know you'll become good in the end but smh in the meantime

omg, I was wondering if the neighbour woman was lying but didn't expect her to set this guy (Kyung Tae?) up like that

well at least it was the Do fucker and not Su Yeol who hired the woman to pretend to be sexually assaulted by Kyung Tae

1:02:00 lmfaooo the editing of the shaking Assemblyman Do when he found out the bear records things is crazy. also does this mean that the Assemblyman was actually behind the woman's disappearance? And that's why his cousin Inspector Do was on the case of her missing + has the footage of her in the grocery shop?

omg... he was soliciting her? and killed her bc she was using her phone?!?! omg... okay, I did think it was a bit strange how good of a relationship he and his wife had + he was being a good father, I'd expect him to be terrible in some way in regards to family just based on tropes since he's supposed to be corrupt Assemblyman. and indeed he's a cheater and a murderer

Kyung Tae's rooftop apartment... did the main character from Death's Game live here too?

holy shit, much more violent than I expected

oh, I see. I waslike how did Su Yeol's ownself lead him to Kyung Tae's place, not like he'd know he was in danger but I guess he wanted to subconsciously apologize

K finally takes off his helmet

Man, it's Sunday night, and I've gotta go to sleep but in a different world, this would be so fun to binge.

Ep 2 (Aug 19)

damn, the teddy bear camera didn’t even have anything incriminating? and Kyung Tae is lying in the hospital like that smh

ohhh was that van used to cremate Yuna’s body? and they were planning on cremating Kyung Tae’s as well after the fire?

it’s so sad that we know Yuna’s dead and won’t be found even while the kid and others search for her

eughhhh they fucking framed Kyung Tae? I was wondering what was happening with Im Beom standing beside Kyung Tae’s bed if not to kill him

ahh so Ryu Su Yeol just accepted Kyung Tae as the murderer and got promoted to captain

murdered cop Minsu’s secret informant Yuna who was also murdered.

Ah, I wish I was binging this, these cop-mystery shows are always like “I gotta know what happened”

hmmm I don’t think Assemblyman knew that Yuna was related to Minsu investigating whatever when he killed her bc that seemed like a drunken accident where he thought of Yuna as his mistress or whatever

omg he found the necklace and incriminating evidence, wonder if he can actually use it now or if it’ll also be stolen away somehow because we’re only on ep 2. or maybe the show will have smaller villains and story arcs that last 2-3 episodes?

Su Yeol was gonna throw the necklace away into the river?! bro have some integrity omg

ah, the K and Su Yeol being the same person thing is revealed by ep 2, the end of the first week. When I’d first heard the spoiler, I’d thought it was one of the climax reveals.

Ep 3 (Aug 19)

him keeping memories of her and passwords being her birthday lol i enjoy exes to lovers

oh Su Yeol is “a foundling” not biologically related

a drug ring aspect. maybe this is what minsu was trying to figure out

Is the drug lord a NK defect? idk if the way they’re portraying her is… frowned upon but i do enjoy her demeanour and actions and the way she holds herself

oh naur assemblyman is ruining Su Yeol. you let him know you’re onto him way too early with that violence, ma

ah, pathetic begging Su Yeol. at first I was like maybe he's putting on an act but idek now, he's really losing everything i guess + it's affecting his mother

are they gonna have Su Yeol be in charge of the "delivery service" for their drugs? Is the alcohol that Su Yeol's drinking drugged?

I started this to watch on my commute, especially after the first 3 eps so that I can watch after downloading on iQiyi vip but I'm not commuting to work tomorrow, so I don't need to download the episode tomorrow... man, if I watch most of this show without the VIP, what will I even watch with VIP?

Ep 4 (Aug 19)

Episode 4 and yet Ryu Su Yeol is still a bastard who's handing over Kyung Tae, oh man. he's gotta be faking at this point right? there's a plan?

ookay they have a plan

we're only halfway through episode 4, what's gonna happen for the rest of it? the drug people? whatever Minsu was after? Yu Gon trying to get out of jail?

pls him as K donated all his (bribery) money

Ep 5 (Aug 20)

I should have suspected the Narcotics Team Leader fr, oof

I kinda wish we didn’t know so much of the actual crime beforehand, like we knew about Yuna’s murder and now half the Narcotics team. If there’s no mystery and we as rhetorical audience know a whole lot of what’s going on way before the main characters know, it gets frustrating waiting for them to catch up and seeing them be thwarted

Ep 6 (Aug 20)

I’ll be honest idk all these names and faces of side characters and who’s involved with what, so i’m just going on vibes. is the guy who the other guy thought called to tell Su Yeol about Min Su actually the other cop?

ah, they’re Russians. I was like what language are they speaking?

Chan Gi is seriously so annoying why are you now hitting Su Yeol and breaking your phone dumbass

Ep 7 (Aug 20)

i love exes to lovers, Su Yeol coming to Hui Geum’s house and the familiarity

oh they’re making out now

Ep 8 (Aug 21)

different tone and mystery then the first 7 episodes

Ep 9 (Aug 21)

this parent having alzheimer’s thing and their relationship should affect me more, maybe if I was watching at once on my laptop vs here and there on my phone. + idk if lee dongwook’s acting here evoked more emotions in me

this is a very different show now than how we started

I like that at least right now, we're not super ahead of the answers to the mystery the way we were with the previous cop criminals. We're finding stuff about as the characters are figuring stuff out.

I hope Su Yeol really had killed Junho's father in their murder pact. Not a fakeout.

Ep 10 (Aug 21)

yeah, been guessing it was indeed the shelter therapist despite him being ruled out earlier on. i had a small confusion where I thought this man was somehow old enough to have treated people in 1999 because of the files they were going through but ig they were just files of the shelter, not the therapist files.

Ep 11 (Aug 22)

frustrating in a good way I guess since Yunho is always a few steps ahead

Ep 12 (Aug 22)

somehow i wanted the defeat of Yunho to be more satisfying, to see some of it but Su Yeol was asleep for it all it seems

Boss Yong is so cool and brutal, I’m happy she got her revenge even though it felt like The Eye’s existence in the show changed halfway through lol

Overall:

Fine but did not make me feel much and is not going to stick with me the way other shows by these actors have. The first couple of corrupt cop investigations was fine but a bit annoying because we seemed to know everything far in advance to the characters finding out. The second half with Yunho was more interesting in some ways because we also did not know and it was like psychological tricks basically but I wish the ending was more satisfying somehow. Like everything is wrapped up nicely but Inwouldve liked it see it. Nothing super wrong with it but I could’ve just kept it off my watchlist and I wouldn’t have missed much.

Rating: 6/10

[chants-de-rome]

Elegance de Muse

Name: Kim Ji Won (김지원) Birthday: October 19, 1992 Zodiac Sign: Libra Height: 164 cm (5’5″) Instagram: @geewonii Facebook: OfficialKimJiWon1

Kim Ji Won Facts: – She was born in Geumcheon District, South Korea. – She has an older sister. – Education: Dongguk University. – She is a former actress under Agent Lionmedia. – She is now currently under King Kong Entertainment. – Her nickname is “Little Kim Tae Hee” as she is alike to her. – She would like to shoot a household appliance commercial in the future. – She made her acting debut in Japan in 2012. – She is friends with actress Park Shin Hye. – She likes to listen to 70s and 80s music. – Kim Ji Won’s ideal type: Someone who makes sacrifices for their significant other.

Kim Ji Won Movies: Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (조선명탐정: 흡혈괴마의 비밀) | 2018 – Wol YoungHorror Stories 2 (무서운 이야기 2) | 2013 – Sa Tan Hee Horror Stories (무서운 이야기) | 2012 – Herself Romantic Heaven (로맨틱 헤븐) | 2011 – Choi Mi Mi

Kim Ji Won Drama Series: Arthdal Chronicles (아스달 연대기) | tvN / 2019 – Tan Ya Mr. Sunshine (미스터 션샤인) | tvN / 2018 – Hui Jin (cameo ep. 1)Fight for My Way (쌈 마이웨이) | KBS2 / 2017 – Choi Ae Ra Descendants of the Sun (태양의 후예) | KBS2 / 2016 – Yoon Myung Ju Hidden Identity (신분을 숨겨라) | tvN / 2015 – Min Tae Hee (cameo) Gap-dong (갑동이) | tvN / 2014 – Ma Ji Wool The Heirs (상속자들) | SBS / 2013 – Rachel Yoo To The Beautiful You (아름다운 그대에게) | SBS / 2012 – Seol Han Na What’s Up? (왓츠업) | MBN / 2011-2012 – Park Tae Yi High Kick 3: Revenge of the Short Legged (하이킥: 짧은 다리의 역습) | MBC / 2011-2012 – Kim Ji Won

Kim Ji Won Awards: 2017 KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries (“Fight for My Way”) 2017 KBS Drama Awards | Female Netizen Award (“Fight for My Way”) 2017 KBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award with Park Seo Joon (“Fight for My Way”)2016 KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries (“Descendants of the Sun”) 2016 KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actress (“Descendants of the Sun”) 2016 KBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award with Jin Goo (“Descendants of the Sun”) 2016 APAN Star Awards | Best Supporting Actress (“Descendants of the Sun”) 2013 SBS Drama Awards | New Star Award (“The Heirs”)

[mustwatchkoreandramas]

Must Watch Korean Dramas

Goblin- Also known as Guardian, this must-watch Korean drama is the sixth highest-rated drama series in Korean cable television history. Kim Shin, a military general becomes a Goblin, cursed with immortality and wanders in search of his wife who can save life.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon- A perfect rom-com to start the K-drama journey. The female lead is born with supernatural powers and gets hired by a CEO as his bodyguard. They go on to solve a murder mystery.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo- A time-slip historical drama where the female lead travels back to the Goryeo dynasty and finds herself involved in a power struggle over succession to the throne. While IU plays the female lead role, EXO’S Baekhyun debuts by playing the 10th prince.

Flower of Evil- A suspense thriller where a man hides his true identity and lives with his detective wife and daughter. Duranga is its Bollywood remake.

Extraordinary You- Adapted from the webtoon, July Found by Chance, this high school fantasy drama revolves around terminally-ill Dan Oh who discovers that she is just an extra character in a comic book and then decides to change her fate by altering the storyline.

All of Us Are Dead- A high school zombie drama where the trapped students try to survive a zombie outbreak. Season 2 of this drama is on the way!

Squid Game- This South Korean survival thriller became Netflix’s most-watched series and got adapted into a real-life Hollywood show. A secret invitation is sent out to invite people to participate in a game of life and death.

Crash Landing On You- A South Korean chaebol heiress gets swept by a tornado while paragliding and she lands in the North Korean Demilitarized Zone. A military officer tries to save her while slowly falling for her.

Click here to know more

[leeminkifanblr]

Lee Min-ki Filmography and other works

(reverse chronological order)

Dramas |*| Movies |*| Music |*| Magazine etc. |*| Others

2025 <Sangyoung ENT>

메리 킬즈 피플 - Mary Kills People(Korean adaptation) [Hyun-woo] ?

2024 <Sangyoung ENT>

사흘 - Three Days [Father Ban]

Sep 28~Feb 2025: Filming of Mary Kills People(Korean adaptation)

Nov 6~Dec 12: 페이스 미 - Face Me [Cha Jung-woo] Wavve/KBS2

Sep 14: Fanmeeting [Japan]

Sep 9: Tearliner(티어라이너): Beacuse Haven't Lived MV appearance [x]

May 13~Jun 18: 크래시 - Crash [Cha Yeon-ho] ENA

- Apr 24: ARENA

2023 <Sangyoung ENT>

Nov 26: Fanmeeting "Hello Again" [Tokyo, Japan]

Aug-Dec 30: Filming of Crash

Aug 12-Oct 1: 힙하게 - Behind Your Touch [Insp. Moon Jang-yeol] JTBC

- Aug 24: MMTG ep 306 [x]

- Sep: Elle Korea [x] [y] [z]

Mar 29: ARENA [x]

Mar 18-July: Filming of Look at Me

Sep 21 2022-Feb 20: Filming of Behind your Touch

2022 <Sangyoung ENT>

Nov 16: 데시벨 - Decibel [Cpt. Hwang Young-woo]

Sep 21-Feb 20 2023: Filming of Behind your Touch

Apr 9-May 29: 나의 해방일지 - My Liberation Notes [Yeom Chang-hee] JTBC

- Apr 9: Elle Korea [x] [y]

- May 20: Cosmpolitan [x] [y]

2021 <Go_od> <Sangyoung ENT>

Sep 2: NELL(넬): Beautiful Jeopardy MV appearance [x]

Jul 12-Dec 28: Filming of My Liberation Notes

- Dec 31: Workman ep. 132 [x]

Apr 20-Aug: Filming of Decibel(special appearance)

Mar 24-May 13: 오! 주인님 - Oh My Ladylord [Han Bi-soo] MBC

- Mar 9: Dazed [x] [y]

Feb 23: Marie Claire Korea [x] [y]

2020 <Go_od>

Feb 10-May 2: Filming of Three Days

2019 <Go_od>

Oct 12-Dec 1: 모두의 거짓말 - The Lies Within [Insp. Jo Tae-sik, 36] OCN

- Sep 19: Cosmopolitan [x] [y]

- Sep 24: Marie Claire Korea [x]

Feb 27: KNTV preview(Beauty Inside) [x]

Feb 3: Elle Korea [x] (Hong Kong)

2018 <Go_od>

Oct 1-Nov 20: 뷰티 인사이드 - Beauty Inside [Seo Do-jae] JTBC

Jul 5: 김비서가 왜 그럴까 - What's Wrong With Secretary Kim [Mi-so's father] tvN (flashback ep. 10)

Feb 8: 조선명탐정: 흡혈괴마의 비밀 - Detective K 3: Secret of the Living Dead [Heukdopo/Jung In-yul]

2017 <Go_od>

Oct 9-Nov 28: 이번 생은 처음이라 - Because This is My First Life [Nam Se-hee, 38] tvN

- Oct 23: Marie Claire Korea [x] [y]

Aug 7-Oct 26: Filming of Detective K 3: Secret of the Living Dead

2015 <Go_od>

Jan 28: 내 심장을 쏴라 - Shoot Me in the Heart [Seung-min, 25]

2014 <Go_od>

- Dec 30: Elle Korea [x] [y]

Aug 7: Enlisted in the army; assigned as public service worker to Yonsan-gu office, Seoul

- Aug 2: Entertainment Weekly [x]

Section TV Entertainment ep. 713, 724

Entertainment Weekly ep. 1526, 1534

Jun 14: 황제를 위하여 - For the Emperor [Lee Hwan]

- Mar 15: Marie Claire Korea [x]

Jun 13: Witch Hunt ep. 44

Jun 5: Happy Together ep. 349

Mar 16: 몬스터 - Monster [Tae-soo]

- Mar 13: Elle Korea [x]

Nylon

2013 <Go_od>

UNIONBAY

Oct 31: Han So-hyeon(한소현): Sorry MV appearance[x]

May 5-Jul 31: Filming of Monster

Section TV Entertainment ep. 667

Entertainment Weekly ep. 1468, 1486

Mar 21: 연애의 온도 - Very Ordinary Couple [Lee Dong-hee]

- Mar 14: Lee Min-ki with 3rd Coast: Those Days I Had with You [x] [inst]

- Apr 11: Lee Min-ki with 3rd Coast: Everything [x] [inst]

Feb 25: Cosmpolitan [x]

Jan 16: A Song for Island Memoir [x] [x]

Jan 11: Fanmeeting [Japan]

2012 <Go_od>

Section TV Entertainment ep. 662

Entertainment Weekly ep. 1439

Apr 9: NELL(넬): The Day Before MV appearance[x]

Jan 30-Mar 20: 닥치고 꽃미남 밴드 - Shut Up Flower Band Boy [Joo Bung-hee] tvN (cameo)

- Feb 6: SUFBB OST: Not in Love (single) cover MV [x] [y] [inst.]

UNIONBAY

The Class

~Jan 18: "Youth" Photobook

2011 <Wellmade Star M> <Go_od>

Midnight TV Entertainment ep. 338

Dec 4&6: Fanmeeting “Minki’s Forest” [Omiya&Osaka, Japan]

Dec 1: 오싹한 연애 - Spellbound [Ma Jo-goo] [x]

Nov 27: Running Man ep. 70

Oct 28: Elle [x]

Jul 20: 퀵 - Quick [Han Ki-soo]

Vogue Girl

The Class

Beatles Code ep. 49, 50

Yoon Do-hyun’s MUST ep. 4

Live Talk Show Taxi ep. 202

Jan 15: Fanmeeting [Tokyo, Japan]

2010 <Wellmade Star M>

Aug 6-Dec 20: Filming of Quick

Mar 13: Filming of Brother Young Ja-ya is cancelled due to production issues [x]

Max Beer CF [x]

2009 <Wellmade Star M>

Sep 25: Kim Jung-eun’s Chocolate ep. 72

Sep 17: “News of the Imagination”

Sep 3: Live Talk Show Taxi ep. 103

Aug 27: Live Talk Show Taxi ep. 102

Aug 10:  Lee Min-ki NO KIDDING EP [x] [y]

- Eternal Summer MV [x] [y]

- Dreaming [x]

- Joujou (Let Me See the Love) [x]

- Play My Way [x]

- Tonite, Tonite [x]

- Joujou (♥Minki Remix) [x]

Aug 6: 10억 - A Million [Park Cheol-Hee]

Aug 3: Come to Play ep.254

Jul 22: 해운대 - Tidal Wave [Choi Hyeong-Sik]

Feb 22-May 6: Filming of A Million

Feb 19: 오이시맨 - Oishii Man [Kim Hyun-suk]

- Feb 23: Oishii Man OST:

-- Frozen Mountain [x]

-- Neanderthal Man II [x]

-- Disappears Like That

-- A Match for You [x]

TBJ

2008 <MEN> <Wellmade Star M>

Dec 31: FreeTEMPO Power of Love Tour- Miller FRESH countdown 2009 [x]

Dec 24: 로맨틱 아일랜드 - Romantic Island [Lee Jung-hwan]

Dec 10: Lee Min-ki feat. Weekenders: We Can't Forget the Reason [x]

Nov 15: Performed a rendition of My Way for the Mnet KM Music Festival(MKMF) opening act [x] [y]

Nov 14: FreeTEMPO feat. Lee Min-ki: Power of Love Part 2 [x]

Nov 28: Japan Fanmeeting [Japan]

Sep 26: FreeTEMPO feat. Sheean and Lee Min-ki: Power of Love MV appearance [x]

Come to Play ep. 224

Aug 22: The One(더원): My Girl MV appearance[x]

Aug 18-Dec 17: Filming of Tidal Wave

Mar 13: 허밍 - Humming [Oh Chun-jae]

LG Telecom OZ [x] [y]

2007 <MEN>

Dec 21: Fanmeeting "Hello, Minki" [Japan]

Oct 8-Nov 27: 얼렁뚱땅 흥신소 - Evasive Inquiry Agency [Park Mu-yeol] KBS2

Aug 27: The Name&Choi Jin-yi(Rumblefish): After Break-up MV appearance [x]

Heroine 6

Come to Play ep. 129

Sangsang Plus ep. 151

Feb 8: 바람 피기 좋은 날 - A Good Day to Have an Affair [College Student]

Jan 22: Ya Shim Man Man ep. 196

Jan 3-Mar 15: 달자의 봄 - Dalja's Spring [Kang Tae-bong, 27] KBS2

2006 <MEN>

Sep 7: 뚝방전설 - Three Fellas/Riverbank Legends/Bar Legend [High-school Student #7] (cameo)

~Jul 16: Filming for cameo in Riverbank Legends

Jul 12: Rainbow Romance OST: Before I Become Sad [x]

May 2: I Really Really Like You OST: Like Candy 2 [x]

Apr 8-Aug 6: 진짜 진짜 좋아해 - I Really, Really Like You/Love Truly [Nam Bong-ki, 28] MBC [x]

LITMUS

Feb 5: X-men ep.97 [x]

2005 <MEN>

Pizza Etang CF [x]

Oct 29-Nov 19: 태릉선수촌 - Taereung Athletic Village [Hong Min-ki, 26] MBC [x]

Oct 24-Nov 3 2006: 레인보우 로망스 - Rainbow Romance [Lee Min-ki] MBC

LITMUS

LG Telecom Phone & Fun CF [x]

Aug 6: 계룡산 부용이 - Booyong of Mt. Kyeryong [Hyeong-su] KBS Drama City [x]

Jul 24: X-men ep.69 [x]

Jun 19: X-men ep.64 [x]

Jun 5: X-men ep.62 [x]

Jun 1: SoulStar(소울스타): Only One For Me MV appearance [x]

Feb 14-Sep 30: 굳세어라 금순아 - Be Strong, Geum-soon! [Noh Tae-wan, 26] MBC

Jan 2: 오!사라 - Oh! Sarah [Kim Dong-kang] KBS Drama City [x]

Nina(니나) Hit'm MV appearance [x]

Come to Play ep. 69

X-men ep. 35-43

2004 <MEN>

Jun 13: 우리 햄 - My Older Brother [Kang Min-ki] KBS Drama City [x]

Nizoral CF [x]

2003

SK Telecom

[chrissmou]

September Reads

Hi! Everyone, this month I read 7 books most of them romances but also two mysteries and a book about numbers. Many of these books were funny and most had amazing plots. Let’s Start to see them, as always you can ask any questions or read the Goodreads pages that I provide:

People We Meet on Vacation (Emily Henry): I love all the books of these author as you can see, I read in just two months and I love her complex characters and situations. It was fun to see the past in some of the chapters and the present in all the others and the vacations the two protagonists have gone together from Canada to Mexico and other exotic places and how that helped them to learn about one another.

Happy Place (Emily Henry): Of all Emily Henry’s this was the one I loved the most because I thought it was remarkable how she threaded the past and the present between two people who still loved each other but thought their future together was over. I liked that I got to see how they started to how they got there. I loved all the couples and the lives they started together and how close they still got. But, at last, I felt many of the emotions and the problems in this one.

On What Grounds (Cleo Coyle): Clare Cosi was a remarkable amateur detective in this one, and so is her ex-husband Matt. The mystery is the first in the series of Coffeehouse mysteries by Cleo Coyle in the Blend, a coffeehouse in New York. It starts when one of the employees is found dead in the basement of the store. It has it all from recipes for coffees to good characters and fun detective officers.

Hallowe’en Party (Agatha Christie): A classic Hercule Poirot about a country house, a party, and of course a village full of secrets. I thought I was going to see the adaptation of it with Kenneth Branagh, but in the end, I didn’t. The book was good, a little scary in some parts, a little fantastic in others but also really good and clever in others, especially in the end because you can’t see the victims coming or the secret couple of killers in the end.

The Secret Lives of Numbers (Alfred S. Posamentier): It was mathematical as it is about numbers and had many equations, which is why I took many months to finish it. But it has many fun facts about the numbers from cultural to relationships between them. It was engaging in some parts and helpful about the mathematical relationships as it has many diagrams to help you understand it better.

Fling (Joseph Murrey): That was a really fun book about a couple who disagrees as they are in different plans about the fourth IVF and if they are going through with it. The book is about how they both match in an app about cheating and reconnecting with it. It was remarkable as most of the romance books I read had to do the start of a relationship but in this one, the characters had a complicated history before I started reading this amazing book.

The Book Proposal (K J Micciche): That was a complicated book for me as I liked the plot about the romance author and her unrequited crush from high school and the complex characters, I started to see in it. But, I took time to connect with this one as I didn’t see where the plot was going. Also, it was as though I was reading two books in one as the writing of the book the protagonist was writing in the middle of the chapters. In the end, I liked this one but it was a bit add for me.

This was for this month. And again if you have connections, please ask.

[birbfeeder2artisticboogaloo]

just got done watching 'detective k: secret of the living dead' (2018) and what a BANGER of a film!!! it's fantastic, i had a whale of a time!!! 10/10, would definitely recommend!!

[dwellordream]

The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird. Historical fiction/drama. Against her straitlaced father and husband’s wishes, Lois Saunders is determined to get a divorce and live independently. In order to achieve this, she travels to Las Vegas, where quickie divorces can be granted in a matter of weeks- even in 1951, when ending a marriage labels a woman defective. At a luxury ranch for wealthy divorcees, Lois meets Greer, a charismatic socialite with more than a few dark secrets, and the obsessive friendship that develops between them threatens Lois’ future.

Last Seen Wearing by Hilary Waugh. Mystery/thriller. Lowell Mitchell is a typical upper middle class college student; her days are filled with classes, dates, and gossip. Until one day she vanishes without a trace- plunging her small all women’s college and the surrounding New England town into a panic. Two police detectives are assigned to the case- has Lowell run away to elope? Or to procure an abortion? Is it suicide? Or murder?

Consequences by Penelope Lively. Historical fiction/drama. In late 1930s London, upper class Lorna elopes with an idealistic artist named Matthew Faraday. The couple settle down in the country to raise their daughter, Molly, but the family is torn apart when war breaks out and Matt is drafted. A generation later, Molly is a lonely young woman working as a librarian, where she encounters a charming older man who makes her his mistress- but wealth does not equal happiness. And a generation after that, Molly’s daughter Ruth researches her family’s past, which takes her all the way back to where it first began.

Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin. Fantasy. In the bleak and dangerous Uplands, warring clans use their hereditary magic- called Gifts- to forge alliances and seize territory. But Orrec and Gry are both outsiders in their families- Orrec fears his Gift, the power to unmake any living thing or object, while Gry refuses to use her Gift, the power to summon animals, to aid hunters. When Orrec’s mother falls ill and a feud erupts with a rival family, the two friends must decide what they are willing to risk to map their own futures.

The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley. Historical fiction/romance. In 1970s North Carolina, 21-year-old Ronnie is adrift- his mother has remarried and moved to Nevada without him, and his homosexuality puts him in danger in an often violently macho and aggressive college community. But an odd friendship with Ben, a star football player with a hot temper and surprising introspection- allows Ronnie to begin to imagine that happiness and freedom are possible- until fate threatens to rip him and Ben apart.

Fatima Tate Takes the Cake by Khadija VanBrakle. Drama/romance. 17 year old Fatima dreams of becoming a pastry chef, but her strict Muslim American parents want her to choose a more reliable career. While in the midst of secretly applying for a scholarship program to the Culinary Institute of America, Fatima falls for Raheem, a handsome and charming college student. After a few months of secretly dating, Raheem approaches her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. But as her engagement unfolds, Fatima begins to doubt that Raheem is as perfect as he appears- or that marriage is what she wants.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. Drama/thriller. Enchanted Jones dreams of becoming a singer. While participating in a talent show, she catches the eye of Korey Fields, a world famous R&B singer. Sparks fly between them- but Korey is 28 years old, and Enchanted is 17. When Korey offers to mentor Enchanted and take her on tour, she is thrilled- but his fame and charm hide a vicious predator. When Korey is found dead, all the evidence points to Enchanted- but she has no memory of the night Korey was murdered, and her freedom is on the line.

That Dangerous Energy by Aya de Léon. Romance/drama. After a lifetime of struggling to make ends meet, Morgan has found her Prince Charming- Sebastian Reid, CEO of ReidCorp, one of the world’s most famous energy companies. But ReidCorp’s environmental record is a nightmare, and once Morgan becomes aware of the scope of their corruption and pollution, she becomes determined to take Sebastian down.

Books Recs of 2024

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Mystery/fantasy centered around Din, a young assistant investigator assigned to help an eccentric and infamous detective, Ana Dolabra, solve a series of murders. Din is an engraver, his brain altered so he has a photographic memory. However, no one is quite sure how he got his current position, since he failed every single one of his final exams except the combat portion. Ana is an exceedingly odd woman who refuses to go to any crime scene in person and often performs mad science experiments in her spare time. As Din struggles to keep up with the case, which revolves around a bioweapon being unleashed on a series of the empire's best engineers, he also worries what will happen when Ana finally uncovers his secrets.

Highfire by Eoin Colfer. Urban fantasy (very comedic fantasy) about a dragon called Vern (short for Wyvern), who teams up with a juvenile delinquent named Squib (real name Everett Moreau) to take down a corrupt sheriff who is plaguing the Lousiana bayou. Vern is a very small (seven feet long) dragon who is the last of his kind (as far as he knows). When he is spotted by a local troubled teen, his first instinct is to hunt Squib down and kill him, but he quickly realizes the two of them have a common enemy- the murderous sheriff who is running drugs through their territory.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi. Magical realism about a romantic-minded art historian who is swept off his feet by a mysterious and charming heiress. After a whirlwind courtship, the happy couple return to her childhood home; a Gothic manor on a lonely island. The more time our narrator spends around his wife's past, the more questions are raised- increasingly sinister ones about who she is and what exactly she is capable of. Once upon a time, she was best friends with an equally odd and dreamy little girl named Indigo. But no one has seen Indigo for many years now- and the Flower Bride may be behind her disappearance.

Chlorine by Jade Song. Horror/magical realism. Since childhood, Ren's entire identity has been wrapped up in swimming. If she can be strong enough, fast enough, special enough, success is sure to come her way. As the end of high school approaches, Ren's passion for swimming becomes less about her future, and more about past legends of mermaids and sirens dragging sailors into the deep. School, friends, and her parents' expectations all fall away- Ren will make her home in the water, no matter what she has to do.

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza. Realistic fiction. Jen and Riley have been best friends for as long as they can remember, despite their vastly different childhoods. Riley is from a middle class Black family; Jen was raised by an impoverished white single mother. After twenty years of doing almost everything together, their lives are at a crossroads- Riley is a news anchor about to take Philadelphia by storm, while Jen is expecting her first child with her police officer husband. When Jen's husband is involved in the murder of a Black teenage boy by a fellow officer, Riley finds herself expected to cover the story- and Jen finds herself expected to answer for her husband's actions- and her own beliefs about what racism looks like.

Queenpin by Megan Abbott. Crime thriller/noir. Our nameless heroine lives a mousy existence working as a bookkeeper for a rundown local night club, but her life is turned upside down when the infamous Gloria Denton, a gun moll and smuggler, takes her under her wing. Gloria transforms her young protege from a timid girl to a sophisticated, cunning woman capable of handling gangsters, conmen, thieves, and bookies, but when she falls for the wrong man, her relationship with Gloria is strained, and they must decide just how far they can trust one another.

Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen. Historical fiction. Based on the real life trial of Katharina Kepler, mother of the famed Johannes Kepler, Imperial Mathematician to the Holy Roman Empire. Katharina is a busybody, a domineering and devilishly clever woman with a particular talent for healing. She is also a fiercely loyal mother to her adult children, but when an old neighborhood grudge flares into accusations of poison and witchcraft, Katharina is determined not to meekly confess and beg pardon. The more she lashes out at her neighbors and the authorities, the more charges begin to pile up against her- despite her son's desperate attempts to save her from torture and execution.

Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott. Crime thriller/noir. Based on a real life murder case in 1931 Phoenix Arizona. Naive and sheltered Marion Seeley is deposited in Phoenix by her disgraced doctor husband, who is forced to take a job with a mining company in South America after his medical license is revoked. Marion befriends the vivacious Louise and Ginny, two fellow nurses, who introduce her to the underground party scene in Phoenix. Politicians and businessmen flock to the secret parties held by them, and it's a quick way to make money on the side. Drawn in by the luxury and thrills, Marion falls in love with Joe Lanigan, a powerful local politician, but as their affair intensifies, her friendship with the other women fractures, culminating in a gruesome crime.

[it-begins-with-rain]

TV Recommendations by Genre

(C) = Mandarin Chinese language (K) = Korean

** Many of these fit into multiple genres, I just put them where I felt they most strongly lean based on how I enjoy them. 

Comedy

Love is Sweet (C)- Two childhood enemies reconnect as adults and manage to aggravate one another into a bratty, loving relationship.

Psychopath’s Diary (K)- A kind young man ends up in possession of a diary chronicling the appetites and murders of a violent serial killer. After surviving a car accident that leaves him with long term amnesia, the young man believes that he himself is, in fact, the serial killer.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (K)- Bong Soon wants nothing more than to hide her superpowers from the world and live a normal life. A dangerous stalker following her new boss- and a killer lurking in the shadows- makes Bong Soon re-evaluate her position on her powers and the kind of life she wants to live.

Crime

Abyss (K)- The Abyss is a device which resurrects a dead person, whose appearance changes to reflect if they were good (they become hotter) or bad (they become uglier). When the young master of the Abyss accidentally resurrects a serial killer- who then kills his best friend (who he also resurrects)- it is a race against the clock to find him before he kills again.

Beyond Evil (K)- A serial killer returns to torture the residents of a quiet village. A young, ambitious detective transfers to the town to smoke out the culprit and prove once and for all that the original suspect- now a police officer himself- was the culprit all along.

Dear Judge / Your Honor (K)- When he needs a place to hide from the cops, a criminal steps into the life of his missing twin brother- a corrupt judge. The young man begins using his newfound power to bring mercy to the law, and falls in love with a wide-eyed optimist intern.

Flower of Evil (K)- After a brutal murder that echoes the pattern of a demented serial killer, a police detective begins to hunt down the long-lost suspect in that case. She quickly realizes that she found the killer long ago by pure chance- and married him.

Guardian (C)- The chief of a secret police unit composed of demons and humans works closely with a mysterious professor to preserve the balance between this world and the Underworld. For the chief, the professor represents a future he could never predict. For the professor- the Dark Lord who maintains order in the Underworld- the chief is a past he will never forget. (The show says ‘aliens’ but it treats them as demons)

Lawless Lawyer (K)- A ganster-turned-lawyer returns to his hometown, where his activist mother was brutally murdered decades ago. He intends to uproot the evil that grew in his home, and will cross any and all lines to do it.

My Roommate is a Detective (C)- In 1940s Shanghai, a police officer partners with a brilliant- but very himbo- young man to solve crime and protect the city. Joining them on their adventures is the reporter daughter of a local crime lord, eager to make a name for herself.

Drama

Chicago Typewriter (K)- A writer comes into possession of an 80 year old typewriter, haunted by the memories and spirit of a young man killed during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930s. The writer- and the young woman who delivered the typewriter to him- are caught up with the memories of their past lives- when they were the two closest friends of the ghost inside the typewriter.

The Crowned Clown (K)- The King of Korea is an evil, twisted creature. As his reign crumbles around him, his closest allies secretly bring in an entertainer who bears an eerie resemblance to the mad king in order to save the kingdom.

Hello My Twenties (K)- A group of women sharing an apartment in Seoul experience the ups and downs of life as they try to navigate their early 20s.

Hotel Del Luna (K)- Centries ago, the goddess of fate cursed Man Wol to tend as an immortal overseeing the Hotel Del Luna, a resting place for souls to heal on their way to the afterlife. Now, she has put a young mortal in Man Wol’s path, tasked with healing the hatred in her soul before she succumbs and transforms into an evil spirit.

Mr Queen (K)- A playboy nearly dies and wakes in the body of one of Korea’s last queens. He finds himself falling in love with the King, while helping him fight to save his nation and put off the Japanese invasion.

Oh My Ghost (K)- A depressed young medium is possessed by the ghost of a virgin who believes she just has to get laid to pass on to the afterlife. As the ghost helps the girl make progress with her crush, the ghost begins to remember her own death, and that her unfinished business has nothing to do with sex, and everything to do with solving her own gruesome murder.

Princess Hours (K)- In a world where Korea exists as a constitutional monarchy, the hateful Crown Prince agrees to marry the daughter of a poor family (a deal set up by their grandfathers). The prince married her because he takes sadistic joy in watching the royal life suffocate his new bride and snuff out her obnoxious optimism, but by the time he realizes he has fallen in love with her, it might be too late to save the light and warmth that once burned so brightly in her heart.

Princess Silver (C)- An amnesiac princess is sold in marriage to a rival nation to secure a peace treaty. While there, she falls in love with the crown prince while maintaining her cover as a spy for her kingdom... even though she suspects she may not be their princess at all.

Well Intended Love Season 1 (C, independent of S2)- A wealthy businessman ensnares a sick, struggling actress and forces her to agree to a contract marriage in exchange for life-saving treatment. He treats her well and love begins to bloom, but the question remains: how did he magically appear when she needed a miracle, and why did he make her pretend to be his wife?

Found-Family

The Best Hit (K)- A Kpop star from the early 90s winds up in 2017 Seoul to see the devastating legacy he will leave upon not only those who relied on him, but those who loved him. His only chance to set things right is to solve his own 1994 disappearance (suspected to be murder)... a bit of a tall ask considering he came to the future from 1993.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (K)- For centuries Gong Yoo has walked the earth as an immortal, cursed ghost, waiting to find the one person who can see the sword pierced through his chest and pull it out, freeing him from his torment. He finds his so-called Goblin Bride at long last, but also finds his way back to the reincarnations of those he loved and lost so long ago.

Hometown Cha Cha Cha (K)- An arrogant dentist from Seoul moves out to a remote fishing village where she learns the healing power of a simpler life, and love of a welcoming community.

Hwarang (K)- Once upon a time, the Hwarang were Korea’s most elite fighting force. This comedy follows the founding of the Hwarang, and the king who secretly trains among their ranks. And everyone brings it up so I’ll say it here- yes, the moony-eyed one is V from BTS.

Mystic Pop Up Bar (K)- Over 500 years, Wol Ju has settled the grudges of 99,990 people in penance for killing herself and damning a sacred tree. To meet her quota in time, she recruits a lonely young man named Kang Bae who, together with an afterlife police officer called Chief Gwi, will work to settle the final 10 burdens and set Wol Ju free.

Sell Your Haunted House (K)- For years, Ji-a has lived in her family home, unwilling to leave the trapped soul of her mother who died inside. She is a real estate agent who specializes in removing the evil spirits from hautned houses, and partners with a charming con-man who serves as her medium until she can unravel the power keeping her mother trapped in death.

Adventure

DMBJ (C)- A series encompassing 8+ standalone shows chronicling the adventures (and misadventures) of three friends as they explore dark, mystical tombs and try to protect their wonders from falling into evil hands.

Handsome Siblings (C)- 18 years ago, a popular hero was cut down and his newborn twins separated and raised on opposites sides of the conflict- with no idea that they even have a brother. Now they have been unleashed upon the world, and must try to survive long enough to expose the darkness of the past and heal the family that was ripped so cruelly apart.

Word of Honor (C)- A dying assassin seeking redemption teams up with an alluring, mysterious young man to uncover the darkness at the heart of the cultivation world. Along the journey they find love and family, but what fate gives, it can also take away.

W: Two Worlds (K)- After a writer vanishes, his popular web novel takes on a life of its own and drags his daughter into the pages. The walls of reality begin to crumble, and it becomes apparent the monster from the story has escaped into this world.

Romance (many of these could also be called fantasy)

A Love So Beautiful (C)- From high school up through their adult lives, the romantic tribulations of a group of four friends plays out.

Ashes of Love (C)- Star-crossed immortals must fight to be together and find their happily ever after. At every turn they are haunted by the darkness of their parent’s generation, and unspeakable horrors committed by their predecessors against one another.

Be Loved in House: I Do (C)- A Taiwanese drama following the almost nauseatingly cliché story of a cold, love-hating new boss who moves in with his kind but inexperienced underling. Mutual hatred melts away to understanding and love.

Because This is My First Life (K)- A man and woman- both enduring trials and traumas of their own- agree to enter into a two-year contract marriage in order to keep their domineering families away. As they heal from their own traumas, they realize that the first step in loving someone else is learning to speak in a language they can understand.

Doom At Your Service (K)- The embodiment of Doom makes a deal with a dying woman to save her from pain for her final 100 days, but in return she has to wish for the destruction of all life. The only way out of the deal is to force herself to fall in love with Doom, so that when her time is up the bargain backfires and destroys him instead.

History 3:Trapped (C)- This Taiwanese drama follows the nauseatingly cliché love story between a gang leader and the police detective who seeks to unravel his whole operation.

Love O2O (C)- A young woman who is prolific at online role-playing games meets and falls for the best male player on their server, after he inexplicably offers to partner with her for couples-based quests. Little does she realize that he has found her in real life and fell in love watching her play.

Oh My Venus (K)- Once a knock-out beauty, Min-Ah has lost her “perfect” figure and been overlooked and disregarded by those in her life. Unhappy with who she has become, she employs a personal trainer who helps her correct medical problems, find healthy stress-coping mechanisms, and overall gives her a brighter outlook on life as the pair fall in love.

Romance is a Bonus Book (K)- Divorced, destitute, and homeless, a woman leans on the shoulder of her lifelong friend for strength. As she gets her feet back under her and sees hope in life for the first time in years, she comes to realize at long last that her friend has quietly loved her his whole life.

The Romance of Tiger and Rose (C)- An author is drawn into her own story and put into the body of a doomed character on the day they die. She must survive to the end of the story to get back to her own world, but falls in love with the ill-fated male lead, and must choose between saving him and returning the home she left behind.

Tale of the Nine-Tailed (K)- The God of Bukhansan, one of Korea’s most powerful mountain gods, gave up his power and chose to exist as a nine-tailed fox in exchange for the soul of his beloved to be resurrected one day. That time has come, and the lonely god will stop at nothing to prevent her from repeating her tragic fate.

Well Intended Love Season 2 (C, independent of S1)- A popular actress and wealthy CEO fake an engagement to get out of a scandal. But as it becomes clear that someone is targeting them both to destroy their lives, they must rely on one another for support in the gathering storm.

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (K)- When his assistant suddenly quits, an out-of-touch CEO first proposes to her, then tries to woo her into staying. But relationships aren’t so simple- and Secretary Kim has another, secret reason for wanting to leave.

Fantasy (many of these could also be called Romance)

Miss the Dragon (C)- In order to serve his penance and lift the curse on a young mortal, an immortal dragon has to find her and protect her across three lifetimes, knowing he cannot be with his love until the trials are complete. They are aided in their centuries-long love by an immortal bird demon and the seemingly cold God of Death.

Love and Redemption (C)- A young group of cultivators attempts to stop a renegade sect from resurrecting an evil demon general. The key to their success or failure lies with the Goddess of War- and the heavens will stop at nothing to keep the goddess from recovering her memories and rising to annihalate the heavens.

Oh My Emperor (C)- A doctor is in an accident and wakes up in a world where each sign of the zodiac is embodied in a mystical Lord. The thirteenth zodiac sign has been hunted and slaughtered ever since their master was executed for high treason- and the young woman is the new Lady destined for the empty Ophiuchus throne.

Tale of Arang // Arang and the Magistrate (K)- A young man hunting for his long lost mother comes across a ghost who happens to possess his mother’s hairpin- meaning she was holding it when she died. Solving her murder will free her soul and find his mother- but it will bring Heaven and Hell both to their knees.

The Untamed (C)- History remembers the life- and death- of Wei Wuxian, the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, as a period of strife and struggle. Sixteen years after his downfall Wei Wuxian will rise again, return to his boyhood love Lan Wangji, and uncover the darkness that destroyed him so many years ago.