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Five years ago, high school student Sal Singh murdered his girlfriend before killing himself. At least, that's what everyone in town believes. Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. Even though the case is closed, she dedicates her capstone senior project to clearing Sal's name and uncovering the truth. The more she snoops around, the riskier things become. Someone in town doesn't want Pippa to expose long-kept secrets, and they'll stop at nothing to bring her down. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2019) by Holly Jackson is a fast-paced, engaging, and jaw-dropping teen thriller. The ending is so good you'll never see it coming!
This is the first in a series. Check out Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020) and As Good As Dead (2021) for even more heart-pounding thrills.
Available as an eaudiobook and ebook on eMediaLibrary (Libby).
Once again, I enjoyed my trip back to the croc-infested region of Crimson Lake, Australia.
Four eight-year-old boys are left in a hotel room while their parents are downstairs enjoying dinner. When one of the parents returns to check on the boys, one of boys is missing.
In the third book of this great series, Ted Conkaffey and Amanda Pharrell, the two intriguing investigators with very complicated backgrounds, are on the hunt for a child and kidnapper. This thrilling, suspenseful and yes, sometimes funny, mystery kept me guessing to the very end.
Check out Gone by Midnight (2020) by Candice Fox today. Listen immediately via Hoopla. Check out my review of Crimson Lake, the first book in the series.

This post-WWII noir classic was directed by and stars Orson Welles. Fabulous shadow effects, long camera shots, and dramatic angles are hallmarks of Welles’ style and make this movie a visual delight. The Stranger was nominated for an Academy Award and was the first Hollywood feature film to include documentary footage of the Holocaust. It’s a must see for lovers of classic noir and fans of suspense. Check out our list of other 1940s Noir Classics too!

Check out the most recent adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Orient Express. Looking for a review of the book? Check out Jennifer’s take on Current Picks from December.

Other engaging characters abound, including a visiting judge, Paul’s secretary, and of course, the defendant and his wife. These characters along with a well-placed plot, the almost light-and-breezy tone—despite its dark subject matter—and the hip music of Duke Ellington make Anatomy of a Murder just plain fun.
Check out our list of Lawyers in the Movies for other films.

Before the story starts, Margot Mary Wendice has a brief affair with mystery writer Mark Halliday while her tennis player husband, Tony, is away. A love letter was stolen, and she is being blackmailed. Mark comes to visit the couple, and Tony sets a diabolic plan in motion.
This movie was based on a play and filmed in 3D, a method prominently used in the 50s. The remastered and released in 3D version (2012) can be requested through SWAN.
For other Alfred Hitchcock films, see The Genius of Alfred Hitchcock: His Movies & TV Shows.


Robespierre is planning to become dictator of France, so that he can more easily continue his reign of terror wherein he sends anyone opposed to him to the guillotine without trial or hearing. One of D’Aubigny’s coconspirators is Madelon (Arlene Dahl). D’Aubigny and Madelon have a past and D’Aubigny is bitter about it; neither is sure they can trust the other.
In fact, almost none of the characters in this film trust each other and with good reason. And the man most in the middle the man who no one should trust and who trusts no one is Fouche (Arnold Moss), the chief of police. He would like to destroy Robespierre but he will happily kill a friend or foe of Robespierre if it will advance his career. Moss does a great job with this character.
I will borrow a sentence from a review on IMDB to describe this film: “The atmosphere is particularly effective, with the dark photography and claustrophobic settings helping to establish the rampant fear, uncertainty, and paranoia that characterized the era.”
This film is nonstop suspense. About the only criticism I could make is this is a film badly in need of restoration. The current DVD was supposedly restored but it’s far from what I usually experience in a restored film; I have seen worse copies of this film so it is an improvement, but even in its not-so-restored state, it is wonderful film.

In French with English subtitles.

Early on Eisenberg’s character says, “The more you think you see the easier it will be to fool you.” “The Four Horsemen” stay one step ahead of the FBI and Interpol in Now You See Me. Director Louis Leterrier also directed the action movie The Transporter.
Jack Reacher has plenty of action, but it will give the viewer plenty to think about as well. Rosamund Pike gives a fine performance as Barr’s defense attorney Helen, as does Werner Herzog who plays the chief villain. Robert Duvall stars as Cash, and he gives a fine performance as well.
I have already seen this movie three times and I don’t usually see newer films this many times within such a short period (the last 7 months). I recommend it.
What else do you need to say? There are plenty of near misses to ramp up the tension, and Reeves and Bullock are great together. Speed will take you on a fun ride.
http://youtu.be/7nhBoOC-44Q