Book: The Girl in the Ice ( Detective Erika Foster) by Robert Bryndza

★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“The secret of blending in, is don’t try to. Everyone is so fucking self-obsessed.”

The Girl in the Ice is the first in the Detective Erika Foster series, a thriller by Robert Bryndza. I'd heard a lot of good things about this book from my blog friends and I can say I was pretty excited when I finally picked it up. But despite the excitement I felt, it took me a while to finish it. The first few chapters were a bit slow for me but I'm glad I stuck to it until the end. I haven't read a lot of thrillers but this one is a good one.

The book centers on DCI Erika Foster when she is called down to South London to investigate a murder case involving a body of a woman found under a thick sheet of ice. Erika has been off the police force for the past months due to the death of her husband and we see how she's still struggling because of it. She tries to do her best to solve the case but when she starts to find some leads with the help of her new colleagues, the victim's wealthy father and the higher ups start to meddle. At some point she is kicked off the case because her boss wants her to play by some rules but Erika only wants to do her job properly and not to be dictated what to or not to do. 

I think Erika Foster is a strong character, a smart and determined woman. She has some ups and downs but they don't stop her from doing what's right. We also see some backstory of what happened to her husband which I think helped on understanding her more. I also actually like Moss and Peterson! The three of them make a great team and I would like to see more of them working together. 

What I love most when reading mystery/thriller is when the author keeps on making me guess what will happen next or who the real culprit is. In this book, I kept guessing until the middle part where I finally figured out who the killer was! And man, did I get that right! But still, the turn of events are unexpected and there are a lot of suspects until finally the last few pages reveal who it really is.

Overall The Girl in the Ice is a good debut thriller novel. The pacing is just right (though for me the first few chapters were a bit slow), it has great story line, impressive writing, has some twists and turns and intriguing characters. I'm planning on reading the second book in the series some time soon.

KDrama: Neighborhood Hero 2016

Main Characters:

Park Shi hoo as Baek Shi yoon

Jo Sung ha as Im Tae ho

Lee Soo hyuk as Choi Chang gyu

Kwon Yuri as Bae Jung yeon

Song Jae ho as President Hwang

A friend of my sister recommended this drama and only now I got the chance to watch it. There wasn't any expectation when I started watching it but along the way I began to have some. The premise was good, showing a group of agents, Shi yoon, Jin woo and Seo Ahn, following a lead on a case they were working on but they were discovered by those people they were investigating and it ended with the death of Jin woo. Past forward to the present, after three years, Shi yoon was shown getting out of a prison. It was his punishment for not pulling his team out of the case even after it was ordered by his superior and for jeopardizing their investigation resulting to Ji woon's death.

Now that Shi yoon is out, he decided to gather information regarding the case they were working on three years ago. He swears to find out why they were suddenly told to stop investigating the case which resulted to Jin woo's death. But of course Shi yoon's main reason is revenge.

He then comes to Neighborhood Bar where retired agents frequent to, thinking he could get information there. Lucky enough, he immediately sees someone he recognizes from the case three years ago. But unfortunately, the bar owner, President Hwang, is now retiring and decided to sell Neighborhood Bar. The new buyer wants to put up a new business to replace the bar but President Hwang, having been working in Neighborhood Bar for 30 years doesn't want it to be replaced with some other type of business where retired agents can't go to anymore. Jung yeon, a writer who works part-time at the bar, also doesn't want President Hwang to sell the bar but she can't do anything about it. So Shi yoon, feeling the same and thinking he can't question the other agents anymore once the bar is sold, decided to buy and run the bar himself with two conditions: he is to run the bar exactly as it is now and to leave a place for President Hwang to come to everyday. President Hwang gladly accepts his conditions but he has his own conditions: his coffee and beer would be free and writer Bae will remain as an employee.

[President Hwang and Write Bae]

Being the new owner, Shi yoon starts gathering information from his customers. He meets new people like Chang gyu, an aspiring police officer who works a part time job under Tae ho, a police officer.

Chang gyu is tasked to follow some people around and those people, being retired agents, are always in Neighborhood Bar making him a regular in the bar too. There he meets Jung yeon who thinks he is Shadow, the guy who saved her and her friend a couple of time.

 The Shadow first shows up when Writer Bae and her friend, So Mi, are attacked by a couple of social workers who are pestering So Mi to leave her shop in culture district because Hallyu Core Mall is going to be built there. A man wearing a mask and a cap saves them and that's when the news about the Shadow starts. When the social workers keep on showing up at the culture district, scaring the people, the Shadow always comes to the rescue to protect them.

President Hwang, upon hearing the news about Shadow, realizes that it's Shi yoon. But Shi yoon, not wanting to admit that he's protecting the people and saying he's not the kind of person who minds other people's business, denies it. He also tries to gather information through President Hwang but President Hwang doesn't just tell others what his customers have shared with him whenever they are at his bar. Shi yoon understands him but as a murder occurs, he starts to become aggressive on gathering intel. 

The story picks up when President Hwang is murdered and so it happens that Chang gyu is monitoring him under Tae ho's order. 

Due to a financial problem, Tae ho agrees to manage a subcontracting company which is offered by his friend, Park Sun hoo. The company monitors officials and persons and Tae ho then employed Chang gyu. The first person Chang gyu monitored died so Sun hoo assigned him another person to monitor. This time it's President Hwang. Chang gyu reluctantly agrees after what happened to the first person he monitored but since Tae ho raised his salary, he returns to work. President Hwang and Shi yoon are aware of what Chang gyu is doing and they let him do his job. It's actually funny how amateur Chang gyu is that President Hwang lets him catch up with him on pedestrians.

Shi yoon and everyone at the bar mourn the death of President Hwang. It also fuels Shi yoon's rage because now he knows that everyone who knew about the case from three years ago are being targeted. Chang gyu is also arrested for the death of President Hwang but Sun hoo bails him out and tells him to see who really cares for him in times like that. Pfft. And then he receives the name of the next person he's going to monitor now that President Hwang is dead. It's Shi yoon.

Tae ho, on the other hand, still works for Sun ho and is afraid to disobey his orders because he needs the money Sun hoo is giving him. And even though he wants to investigate the death of President Hwang and the prior murder, he can't since Sun hoo told him not to.

Meanwhile, the conflict between the people at culture district and the people behind Hallyu Core Mall starts to heat up. Yoon Sang min, the man behind Hallyu Core Mall, wants the Shadow gone because he keeps on protecting the neighborhood. He sends his men to fight the Shadow but they are no match against him. In one incident, Chang gyu accidentally sees the Shadow fighting Yoon's men and recognizes Shi yoon when he takes off his mask. From then, he looks up to Shi yoon and wants him to train him so he can be the next shadow.

At first, Writer Bae believes that Chang gyu is the Shadow so she treats him nicely by giving him free food.

 And since Writer Bae keeps on asking if he's really the Shadow, Chang gyu finally gets to work up his courage and starts fighting the bully. They also start seeing each other.

Going back to Shi yoon, he learns that his friend and his former team leader, Jung Soo hyuk, has something to do with the murders that happened. Jung Soo hyuk is actually working to cover up everything that happened from three years ago up to now because it's his job. He works with Yoon Sang min, covering every dirty work they've done just so Yoon Sang min can build his Hallyu Core Mall and Hong Gyoo man will be the next Prime Minister.

Yoon San min, Jung Soo hyuk and Hong Gyoo man are all people working with the New York Study Group composed of four high profile people in Korea. They work for them because they have the money to back them up.

Shi yoon then teams up with Ri soo and Min after learning that Soo hyuk has already turned his back to the Intelligence Agency. He also finds out that JJ, a friend of Yoon Sang min, was the one who killed Jin woo. And now that there were other people who also died because of what happened three years ago, Shi yoon and the others work to flush out the people behind Yoon Sang Mi and Jung Soo hyuk. Tae ho, Chang gyu and Write Bae also help even though Shi yoon doesn't want to put them in danger.
------------
I continued watching this drama with my sister and we loved it! She actually likes Park Shi hoo now because of this. Haha :D

[Screencaps]

I love love love Chang gyu and he's actually sweet.

Chang gyu: I may not be the shadow but I want to see what it's like to be one. I'm going to put this on and go do a good deed in the culture district. 
Write Bae: Why so suddenly?
Chang gyu: If the shadow you're looking for doesn't show up, I want to take his spot. Write Bae's shadow.

I also forgot but Shi yoon's love interest is Seo Ahn.

In the end, Shi yoon and the others are able to reveal the people behind the New York Study Group and their crimes. Yoon Sang min, after getting kicked out in the group, made a deal with Shi yoon that helped them identifying and testifying against the New York Study Group. Jung Soo hyuk, after deciding not to kill Shi yoon, is killed by his own team, Chang gyu becomes a constable police officer and Writer Bae finally got her book published. And Shi yoon? He's still out there protecting the neighborhood! :)

♥

 I hope you enjoy this drama as much as we did! :)

Book: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1) by Barry Lyga

★★★★/★★★★★

"Sons aren't their fathers. Not the good, not the bad. Sons get second chances. You don't have to be what your dad is."

I always enjoy thriller and this one I enjoyed so much. I loved it! Jasper "Jazz" Dent is not your typical boy next door and believe me when I say that you wouldn't want him to be the boy next door. Well, he's not a killer, his father is, but that's the point. Just because his father is a killer, everybody thinks he is, too.

What drew me in (aside from reading a good review from a friend's blog) was Jazz's situation, being the son of a serial killer. Of course, it was given that everyone else would think "he's like his father" but he wanted to prove them all wrong. He wanted everyone to see that he can be different, that he can be good even though his father was evil. But growing up with a father like Billy Dent, the world's worst serial killer, Jazz has seen and heard and learned everything a serial killer can do. Billy has taught him things a normal kid mustn't learn. And now that his Dear Old Dad was locked up and a new serial killer was in town, Jazz told himself that he would catch this killer using what his Dear Old Dad has taught him. Because Jazz believed that he wasn't the monster his father think he was. Or what he thought he was.

"He made me what I am," Jazz said. "Bad and good alike. You can't deny that, Con."

"And my parents made me what I am. So what? We get stuff from our parents, but we also get stuff from the world around us. From the people around us. And at the end of the day, we're us."

It broke my heart whenever Jazz thought that he was like his father. That he can kill everyone and that it would be okay. That he can manipulate people and he can easily kill them.  He could, but everytime he stopped himself because there was still a part of him that didn't want to be like his father. His father might have nurtured him to be a killer but a part of him still fought to be otherwise. And that's what made me love him even more. Because he chose to fight despite everything his father has taught him.

"People matter. People are real."

Another thing I love about this book was reading how the mind of a serial killer works. I actually learned a thing or two (and I'm not sure if it was a good or bad thing). The details of the murders were also disturbing and it kinda scared me thinking that there were people who could actually think of doing those things. But nonetheless, I loved the book! 

The plot, the characters and everything else was written perfectly. I can't think of a way it could have been better!

Book: The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

★★★/★★★★★

While it was gripping and intriguing, The Girl On The Train was complex and somehow depressing. I liked that it kept me on edge at first but at some point I just felt frustrated with everything that was happening.

I haven't read a lot of thrillers and as I've mentioned before, I prefer watching than reading them. But since there's been a fuss going around about this book, I gave it a go. 

The book is centered on the narration of three women; Rachel, Megan and Anna, their lives got intertwined when a murder occurred and Rachel just happened to decide she had to get herself involved because she thought she knew and saw something she wasn't quite sure about that might help the police solve the mystery around it.

Rachel is the girl on the train who likes to watch people especially Jess and Jason, the ideal couple she wishes she and her ex-husband could be. When the train stops at the same red signal everyday, she would just look outside the train window and she would see them, two happy couple having coffee on their terrace. She has this image of Jess and Jason inside her head, a perfect couple who love each other very much. Until one day when her train stops at the red signal and she sees Jess on their terrace with another man.

Megan is Jess. She's the woman Rachel sees on her terrace with her husband, Scott (Jason). She and Scott are not really the perfect couple Rachel thinks they are but they're not unhappy either. They are just normal couple who fight until it gets too much. Megan also has a dark past which she hasn't talked about with Scott.

Anna is Rachel's ex husband's new wife. She hates Rachel for bugging them and she hates that they live in the house her husband (Tom) used to live in with Rachel. 

 What I liked most about this book was the thrill of guessing who did it. While Rachel gave me blurry details from her blurry memories, I worked my mind and tried to weave everything she'd given me so far. And when I was almost sure of who my bet was, something else would happen that would completely point to another suspect. It was kinda infuriating but it was what kept me reading until the end.

As for the characters, honestly, I didn't like any of them and Rachel frustrated me so much. I knew she just wanted to help but the lying and drinking and the regrets, everything just made things more complicated. And while she wanted to make things right, her actions and decisions failed to support her. 

Overall, it was a good thriller with twisted plots and depressing characters. It was interesting enough to get my attention but I'm afraid I didn't like the ending. Argh. I love a good omg-I-didn't-see-that-coming feeling when reading the ending of a book but this one failed to give me that feeling. But still, it was engrossing and I think I would've given it a 4-star if only Rachel's character became less annoying and frustrating.

“I have lost control over everything, even the places in my head.”

TV Series: Sense8 (2015)

★★★★/★★★★★

Sense8 revolves around eight different people from around the globe who are mentally and emotionally connected with each other. They are called 'sensates' who are able to communicate, sense and use each other's knowledge, language and skills.

Characters: 

[WILL GORSKI]

Will is a Chicago cop, a man who often shows 'saviour behaviour' which he thinks he's responsible for other's well-being. He is haunted by Sarah Patrell, a girl whose murder his father was assigned to and couldn't solve when he was a child. As a sensate, he shares connection with the other 7 sensates.

I instantly liked Will's character because come on, he's a cop! And he always helps the other sensates especially when they need it the most. He's the first one to connect with Jonas and because of him they're able to save the other sensates from danger.

[RILEY BLUE]

Riley is an Icelandic dj who moved to London because she thought she was hexed and staying in Iceland will cause misfortune to those around her. She blamed herself for the death of her mother, as well as her husband and daughter. 

Her character contributes a lot to the plot of the series and I liked her too. She's scared but she's trying to be strong and her bravery will later on save all the other sensates. There's also a romantic connection between her and Will.


[WOLFGANG BOGDANOW]

Wolfgang is a German thief and safecracker. He has unsolved issues with his late father and his relatives which give him troubles. He's a bad ass and together with his bestfriend, Felix, they rob his cousin which later on leads to a bloodbath.

It's not hard to like Wolfie because he's, well, likeable. Growing up with an abusive father is never been easy so somehow I understand his actions even though it made him a monster. 
Some of his scenes also kinda shocked me because he's German. (If you know what I mean!)
  
[KALA DANDEKAR]

Kala is a pharmacist, working in a successful pharmaceutical company in Mumbai.  She's a devout Hindu, talking to Ganesha when she's lost or troubled. She's also engaged to Rajan Rasal, the CEO of the company she's working at, though she doesn't love him.

Throughout the series, Kala's story revolves around her marriage to Rajan. She doesn't know what to do because her family really likes Rajan and they think that she is marrying him for love. Enters Wolfgang who confuses her much more. Their scenes are all funny and I love them both.


[CAPHEUS "Van Damme"]

Capheus is a matatu driver living in Nairobi, Kenya with his mother who is fighting AIDS. He's desperately trying to earn money so he can buy and  give quality medicine to his mother. Despite being poor and less fortunate than the other sensate, Capheus stays optimistic. He always faces his problems with a positive attitude and lucky enough, he always overcomes whatever comes his way.

I feel bad for Capheus because among his cluster he's the unfortunate one. But hey, he's a good man and he has the other sensate to help him.


[SUN BAK]

 Sun is a South Korean business executive working in her father's company. She's also a kickboxer participating in an underground kickboxing where she feels more like herself. She's currently in prison for taking blame for what her brother did of embezzling money from their company.

Sun is a badass. She puts her anger on her fists and use them until she feels better. It has also helped the other sensate many times especially Capheus when he's in a bad situation. I like her because she's tough and because she's a girl who knows how to fight.


[LITO RODRIGUEZ]

Lito is a closeted gay Mexican actor living with his boyfriend, Hernando. No one knows he's gay but when Daniella, an actress who seems to fancy him, discovers this secret, he thought it would be the end of his career. But then it turns out that Daniela supports his relationship with Hernando and agrees to be his 'beard'.

Lito's character is hard to dislike because he tries his best to be a good straight actor portraying bad ass roles while hiding his true self which I know is hard.


[NOMI MARKS]

Nomi is a political blogger and hacktivist based in San Francisco. She's a proud trans woman and lesbian though her family doesn't support her. She's currently living with her girlfriend, Amanita, and together they are trying to find who wants to hurt Nomi and the other sensate.

Nomi has a painful past and it made her into becoming the woman she is today. Sharing this experience to Lito gives Lito the courage to finally be open and accept who he really is, not hiding anymore.

Season 1 Trailer

I really loved the series and I can't wait for season 2!
The first season ended with Riley saving Will, and automatically the other sensates, and I really want to know what will happen next. I hope all the 8 of them will finally see each other in person and together they solve this mystery happening to them.


[Screencaps]

*Riley and Will's first meeting

*When Kala was scared for Wolgang because he decided to face his Uncle.

Oh, hello there, Wolfgang.

 *Will warning Wolfgang to be careful

 *This was when Will helped Kala when some people at the temple tried to make her leave. Kala said she wouldn't let them scare her and she would be back at the temple and Will said "So will I" in case she needed help. It was so sweet of him.

 *Will and Riley meeting again

 *Right from their first meeting I knew there was some connection between Riley and Will and I'm not just talking about their connection as sensates but something more.
 

*Will didn't want to leave Riley when she was in the hospital because he knew she was in danger. And I think he really wanted to be with her.

 I just love this photo of Will. Hihi :")

 I love them both! :)

 *Capheus-Sun tandem was also one of my favorites. I liked that Sun was always always there when Capheus needed saving which was always. Poor Capheus he didn't know how to fight.

*These two had feelings for each other too but too bad Kala was getting married.

*Nomi needed help so Sun and Will came. Later on, Capheus also showed up because Nomi didn't know how to drive.

 *Riley and Nomi didn't interact a lot but when they did, they always talked about their problems and they encouraged each other.

 *This was when Will was on his way to save Riley when Whispers captured her. He was so determined he didn't even have a plan. Tsk.
 

*I laughed so hard on this episode. Lito was trying to help Will get inside the facility where Riley was but Will seemed not to remember him so Lito reminded him and Will's reaction was epic. Lol.

 *Will finally met Riley but she was unconscious. I loved this scene especially when Will touched Riley and everything flashed back from the first time they met. 

And finally, Will and Riley escaped with the help of other sensates. But Whispers was able to get inside Will's head so now it was up to Riley to save them both but she was having a hard time confronting her traumatic past of losing her baby. 

 Will: I know how much it hurts. I know you want to lay down here and never get up again. I know it, 'cause I feel it. I can feel it. And that means that somehow, somewhere... you can feel what I'm feeling, too... I love you. That's why you can't give up.

 *I know, I know, I'm a sucker for romance.

 

*The last scene where everyone was seen together.

Gah, I can't wait for Season 2! :)