Book Review – The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne

 

Sypnosis : Someone is murdering good people. Why? This is a blisteringly high-concept serial killer thriller combined with a delicious religious conspiracy theory from a hot new British talent. A pimp is found dead in a rough New York neighbourhood. A far-right extremist is fatally shot at his remote log cabin outside Seattle. An eighteen-year-old computer hacker is murdered on his way home from working at a call centre in India. One thing unites these victims. All had, at some point in their largely wasted and grubby lives, performed an act of exceptional goodness. Someone is murdering good people. Why? For rookie journalist Will Monroe, in his first week on the crime beat for the “New York Times”, the story is a gift, the launch pad for a glittering career. But then his wife Beth is kidnapped, and the riddle becomes personal. When he starts receiving cryptic messages from the kidnappers, who warn him not to involve the police, Will realizes he needs serious help. The rebellious ex-girlfriend he hasn’t seen for five years might be the person Will least wants to see right now, but he knows that if anyone can break the kidnappers’ code, it’s her. And if TC can help save Beth then he has no alternative but to beg for her help. But as Will and TC piece together the clues, it becomes apparent that the kidnappers are motivated by a far higher calling than simple greed…

Well this book makes for a good read though it only really gripped me in the last two chapters.  There are subtle simliarities, though a much lighter and different plot to that of  Da Vinci Code.  Overall it is still a good book though I find the ending that reasons and actions of the ‘Group’ responsible for the killings a tad far fetched.

I Am A Sucker For…

Update On The Unknown Infection

Well the Good News is that Seth has been declared cleared and free from the infection.   While I am $65 poorer just for the verdict, however as a parent it is worth every cent!

Now what was the mysterious infection? Well here is the lab report…

 

Well you may be squinting at this point trying to make out the details but basically the Final Report says “Heavy Growth Of Staphylococcus aureus” which in essence is a bacterial infection. ( click for more info from wiki )

According to our Doctor, it is quite a common form of bacterial infection however should it occur frequently then we will have to search for the source.  In any case I am confident that this is just a one off unfortunate incident in which he contacted this infection.

Unknown Infection Underarm

Sometime a fortnight ago Seth has one or two skin lesions under his right armpit area.  Then in just a few days it spread to about 15 or so lesions, so when the conazole cream I applied didn’t seem to be working and one lesion appeared under his left arm I decided it was time to take him to see a doctor.  Moreover the lesions looked a little bit like those of chicken pox but he did not have any of the other symptoms.

Our local GP seemed concerned as he wasn’t sure what it was, and decided it was best to refer us to a Skin Specialist at Glenegles Hospital.  I rushed him over there the next day for a consulation and treatment.  Consulation alone was $90 and the intial medication and I think Lab Test $50.  It was some sort of infection which theoretically is contagious however remains undertermined.  With the medication, things should improve, otherwise some form of contact tracing would be necessary.  He was given some oral antibiotics and Fucidin cream to be applied on the affected areas.  A ‘follow up’ is schedule for this Thursday. 

While waiting for the medication and bill I must say this Lady Skin Specialist has some very impressive accolades hanging on her wall.  From recognition from the various Singapore Medical Faculties for her contributions to research and development in her field to the PHD received at Harvard Medical School USA.

Well anyhow as of Today it’s looking very good, as it all seems to be clearing up and disappearing…..

Movie – Law Abiding Citizen

 

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Viola Davis, Bruce McGill, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney, Regina Hall

Director: F. Gary Gray

Rated R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language.

General Plot :  frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family’s killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.

Review : Not as bad as the critics make it out to be in my opinion besides what movie is ever without flaws?  I rather liked the idea of a tactical genius forced into taking matters into his own hands when his pleas for justice falls on deaf ears.  Why would he not? When he has lost everything and had even fought for the government , institutions in the past.  He certainly has the skill and the knowledge to carry out his crusade.

Okay so I’ll agree this film is gruesome, gory and at times comes across as an ‘old done over’  exploitation film.  The ending lacks the finesse you would expect of a carefully thought out plot.  Moreover it is even illogical and uncharacteristic of Shelton( Gerard Butler) to carry out what he planned to do in the end. And as for Jamie Foxx, he was clearly a wrong choice for the role he played, but then again this is my personal take. 

That being said, I would still add the DVD to my collection.

Serenity

Movie – Tooth Fairy (2010)

  

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Julie Andrews, Ryan Sheckler

Director: Michael Lembeck

Well this movie is clearly a ‘feel good movie’ intended for kids, with a message for parents to let their kids dream.  The overall humour in it might bring on a smile or two from the Adults accompanying their kids.  However without Billy Crystal’s relatively short role in it, you’d probably not hear any laughter in the Cinema.  And they certainly got it right with Julie Andrews because who else can play the role of the fairy Godmother with such elegance and grace!

Well the movie is nothing to shout about for the adults, but younger kids seem to really enjoy it.

Book Review-Hell’s Kitchen by Jeffrey Deaver

 Sypnosis :- Every New York City neighborhood has a story, but what John Pellam uncovers in Hell’s Kitchen has a darkness all its own. The Hollywood location scout and former stuntman is in the Big Apple hoping to capture the unvarnished memories of longtime Kitchen residents such as Ettie Washington in a no-budget documentary film. But when a suspicious fire ravages the elderly woman’s crumbling tenement, Pellam realizes that someone might want the past to stay buried.

As more buildings and lives go up in flames, Pellam takes to the streets, seeking the twisted pyromaniac who sells services to the highest bidder. But Pellam is unaware that the fires are merely flickering preludes to the arsonist’s ultimate masterpiece, a conflagration of nearly unimaginable proportion, with Hell’s Kitchen — and John Pellam — at its blackened and searing epicenter.

What makes a thriller great, is when it’s far from predictable.  With Jeffrey Deaver the likely suspects are unlikely while the unlikely suspects are the most likely but then again you may still get it wrong! 

Hell’s kitchen builds up nicely in the beginning then slows down in the middle and accelerates to an exciting finale.  You get to experience why Hell’s kitchen is aptly name through it’s characters and even delve into the sick twisted mind of a pyromaniac through Deaver’s vivid descriptions.

Apparently this is the last novel of the John Pellam series.  Even though this is my first book of that series I enjoyed all the same.

Magnifique Chinese Dragon Tat

Reply From The Warden…

A few months back I was quite upset an wrote a mock letter to the warden of the Church I attend, just to clear my head.   And interestingly enough…..No not that he had read it, but that he walked up to where I was seated at the canteen with my family and asked if he could seat and talk.

He began by shaking my hand and requested we start afresh by putting the past behind us.  I agreed, however I felt that I needed to explain my actions regardless of whether it was right or wrong.  After listening, he apologised for his part in that episode even though he was just carrying out his duty. Because he agreed he could have handled the situation better. 

He then inquired if I attended St Gabe’s as he was trying his best to place me as I looked awfully familiar to him.  I told him that I’ve met and spoken to him before some 20++ years ago as we were from the same parish then in a different district.  We talked and caught up for a few more minutes when he asked if I would consider joining him in becoming a warden myself.

I told him I had always wanted to take a more active role in Church however shift work does not permit me to do so on a regular basis especially on weekends.  He then informed me that it would not be a problem and that I should give it some serious consideration.   I thanked him and told him that I would do so indeed, shook hands again and we parted ways.

Well I must say it is leading up to be a very interesting New Year indeed.  Oh and his name is not Ben as I recalled in my ‘letter’ but Raphael.

Ratings For Each Post..

I didn’t even realise there was this option available on wordpress.  Apparently when enabled, readers are able to rate each post by clicking first on the header of the post.

I was torn choosing between the 5 star rating system or the Nero Rating one, so in the end I opted the latter for sheer simplicity.  Basically it’s just a thumbs up or thumbs down rating system.  I wonder if I have to go through each individual post after some time just to check back on the ratings or is there a ratings summary page??

Ha ha just as I typed that last sentence, I glanced down and there is a ‘Reports’ button under the Ratings tab!

Anyhow any feedback will be great….better yet if you would take the time to comment or just say hi.  However for those too tired or just feeling lazy here’s a new option….just a click away

Nothing Is More Important To A Woman…

Then…….

Accessories!

 

aka Accoutrements