Sneak Peek: Bosch The TV Show, Not the Appliances

 

On the surface Bosch sounds like every other TV cop show. There's a hard-ass cop who smokes too much, a murder that soon turns into a possible serial murderer and behind-the-scenes political intrigue.

And yet watching Bosch is like having a long soak in a warm bath or a firm but relaxing massage or eating a bar of chocolate.  It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and relaxed and is highly addictive.

Like seriously addictive.

To the point where you finish an episode and just want to watch the next one.  Even better it has just 10 episodes in the 1st season which means it's perfect for a marathony binge.

It has an old-school film noir feel along with a gritty edginess, a superb cast including the much under-rated but always excellent Titus Welliver in the lead role, lots of twists and turns and red-herrings and the story pacing is taut, tight and rolls out the hits one by one.

Of course if you've read the books you're probably already aware of who Bosch is, if you haven't then you're in for a treat.

So remember the name and keep an eye for Bosch on your screens.

Review: Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes

Claudia Morgan-Brown leads a privileged life in Edgbaston with her husband, James, and two stepsons.  Heavily pregnant, with a busy job and James at sea a lot, she needs help with the twins.  Their ad for a live in nanny is answered by Zoe, who has impeccable references and seems ideal.  Zoe has a secret though, and a deep desire for a baby of her own.

Lorraine Fisher is a Detective Sergeant currently hunting a killer who targets heavily pregnant women and cuts the baby from them.  She’s working with her husband Adam, another cop.  Their marriage is shaky and the gruesome crimes aren’t helping to restore it.

This is very well plotted and the characters come to life.  As the story unfolds you see how everything is interconnected and it s very clever.  There’s a real twist in the ending of this gripping thriller.  I was expecting one story and got another, better one.  I love being surprised at the ending as I did not expect how the story wound up.  The last line was chilling and I urge people to read it.  If you enjoy physiological thrillers and authors such as Tess Gerritson, Jilliane Hoffman, and Karin Slaughter, you’ll love this book.

Title: Until You're Mine
Author: Samantha Hayes
Publisher: Century, 2013
Reviewer: Jan

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 2): Land of Fire and Ice

As I mentioned yesterday I absolutely love marathons and my current fetish seems to be for all things Scandinavian.

Personally I blame it all on The Killing.  That gripping murder mystery crime show which everyone is talking about.

I've been wanting to watch this show for absolutely ages.  But I kept putting it off... until recently.  And now that I've finally gotten around to watching it I've found myself hunting out further Scandinavian delights to add to my current winter marathon session.

There is just something about these shows that is so good and all are highly addictive, especially for a crime addict like myself.  For a good, eerie thriller you can do no wrong with a touch a Swede or Dane.  Tall, blonde, enigmatic men with an air of mystery and sadness and intense gazes that are guaranteed to melt your heart.

Vikings it seems are the best.  Then again I'm probably biased.

Wallander   

A Brit playing a Swede seems a unlikely thing but Kenneth Branagh manages to convey the loneliness and isolation of Wallander, the main character of this BBC adaption of Henning Mankell's books

Moody and haunting this British made version perfectly captures the quiet beauty of Sweden.

The Killing

A surprise Worldwide hit The Killing  captured the imagination of millions who can't seem to get enough of this Danish crime show.

Sadly only 3 seasons were made.  But 3 seasons are better than none

I'm currently half way through the 1st season and loving every minute.

The Bridge                       

"The body of a woman is found in the middle of the Oresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. Half the body belongs to a Swedish politician and the other half to a Danish prostitute. A bi-national team of inspectors is put together to solve the crime."

An American version is due to start screening in the US soon.

Borgen

"A political thriller set in the world of high-stakes Danish politic.  Birgitte Nyborg becomes Prime Minister of Denmark through a political fluke and has to learn the ways of power, quickly. She's an altruistic public servant in an old boys club and must master the art of the deal overnight, manage her image and perform the impossible juggling act of maintaining a family life."

 The Eagle: A Crime Odyssey

"In Denmark, a special unit is set up to fight cross-border crime throughout Scandinavia and to establish operational links with similar teams around the world. In Copenhagen, charismatic detective Hallgrim Hallgrimsson (called "The Eagle" for his unerring intuition) assembles a team of crime fighters equipped with the most advanced technology and high-tech weapons."

The Protectors

"In today's violent world, the lives of many politicians, industrialists, heads of state and other VIPs are often endangered. To counteract these threats, the Danish Intelligence Bureau established the elite Personal Protection Unit - a force of competent, quick-thinking and dedicated bodyguards. This Danish crime series centres around the lives and missions of these specialists, the people they protect and their enemies."

Headhunters

"Roger Brown appears to have it all as but, he is living above his means and is stealing art on the side. At a gallery opening he meets Clas Grev. Not only is Greve the perfect candidate for a position that Roger is recruiting for; he is also in possession of  one of the most sought-after paintings in modern art history. Roger sees his chance and starts planning his biggest theft ever.  But soon, he runs into big trouble and it’s not financial problems that are threatening to knock him over this time…"

Jackpot

"Oscar Svendsen wakes up, terrified and bloodied, a shotgun in his hands, in what was once a respectable strip joint near Svinesund, Sweden. He is surrounded by eight bodies, and police detective Sol r, who is convinced of his guilt, has a gun aimed at his chest. Reluctantly Oscar starts relating the incredible story of four men who won top prize in a soccer pool and suddenly found themselves a million kroner richer."